‘Plastic’ pitch gives Derry advantage, says John Caulfield

Cork City boss John Caulfield believes playing on all-weather pitches has given title rivals Dundalk a distinct advantage and expects Derry City to reap the rewards this year too.

The Leesiders travel to the redeveloped Brandywell tomorrow night for their first meeting of the season with the Candystripes, with Derry’s March trip to Turner’s Cross postponed due to international call-ups.

It will be Cork’s first time playing on the new all-weather surface at the Brandywell. Caulfield says the surface requires “a totally different game”, and went further, saying playing regularly on an artificial surface has contributed to Dundalk’s era of success.