Champions Shels make trip to Waterford, Galway Utd and St Pat's looking for first win

LOI PREVIEW: Shels’ Kerr McInroy and Liam Boyce of Derry City. Pic: ©INPHO/Ryan Byrne

Two teams who recorded opening night wins last week – Waterford and champions Shelbourne – face off at the RSC in one Friday’s four Premier Division’s fixtures.

Last year’s opening day fixture is this season’s second but the Blues are counting the cost of last week’s 3-2 victory at Sligo Rovers.

Rowan McDonald, who opened the scoring, alongside Ben McCormack and Grant Horton, sustained injuries that rule the trio out.

Keith Long notes how vital the Suirside fanbase will be in their bid to slay Shels.

“There was a brilliant travelling support last Saturday in Sligo,” he said.

“We had over 4,000 fans in the RSC for our first game of the season last year, and hopefully we'll have that fantastic support again against the champions".

Damien Duff’s Reds might have their game against Derry abandoned but for an ESB employee in the crowd who diagnosed the source of the floodlight failure at half-time.

“I thought our handled it well in what was a really strange evening,” he said about the 55-minute extended half-time interval.

“They dealt with it brilliantly. The standout thing for me is their motivation.

“I questioned them in pre-season and again before the Derry game…how motivated are they? I don’t need to know what drives you, just that they bring it every game, every day. They answered the question Friday. Now, what matters is what they do for the rest of the season.” 

On the challenge they face in south-east, Duff said: “What do you expect from Waterford? The same again, and more. Games last year were always very competitive, not much between us.

“They’ve tweaked the formation and brought in quality players, they have a brilliant captain and striker in Padraig Amond, and an excellent manager in Keith Long. They’re a tough nut to break down, and it’ll be a tricky challenge, but nothing different from what we expect, which is a very, very tough game.” 

Stephen Kenny’s St Patrick’s Athletic have been tipped by many observers to win their first title since 2013 but that quest was clipped by FAI Cup winners Drogheda United who were worthy of their point in the scoreless draw.

Galway United also earned a point, coming from behind twice to deny Cork City victory upon their top-flight return, and they welcome Kenny’s side to Eamonn Deacy Park.

“Galway changed to a back three against Cork last week but regardless of which system they use, we have to be ready for the physical battle and deal with it,” warned the former Ireland manager.

“We’ve also to utilise our own strengths – we want to harness the attacking talent we have.

“A few years ago, the season started in mid-March but this one began on February 14. That’s winter football and you’ve to adapt to the pitches and the climate.” 

Derry City were second best against Shelbourne and manager Tiernan Lynch faces another Dublin side, Bohemians, in his first home match at the helm.

After a disappointing eighth place finish last season, Gypsies boss Alan Reynolds isn’t taking their opening weekend victory over Shamrock Rovers - in front of a record league crowd - as proof they’ve turned the corner.

“There is no doubt in our players’ minds that we are travelling to play a team who will be title contenders this season,” Reynolds said about Derry, a club he played for and coached. “That is the expectation up there so we have to be better again than what we were on Sunday because the Brandywell will be hopping and Derry will come at us on their own patch.

“With all the coverage and media focus on last Sunday at the Aviva, it’s easy and natural for supporters to get caught up in all that hype.

“But we spoke to the players before the game about how, whether we won, drew or lost, that it was still only the first game of a 36-game season.

“It’s something we spoke about with the members of the club beforehand too, and that message remains the same now.

“We enjoyed the win, and we enjoyed the day.

“It was a great occasion to be a part of as it showed how far the league has come in terms of public interest and how far Bohs as club has come too in terms of the support it can draw from within the club’s own community and further afield too.

“While we were delighted with the result, there were aspects of our performance that I wasn’t happy with too, so nobody will be getting carried away. We have to keep pushing ourselves and continue to strive to get better in every game.”