In a top of the table clash, second-placed Derry City will welcome League of Ireland leaders Shamrock Rovers to The Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium on Friday.
Derry were held to a 1-1 stalemate by Drogheda United on May 16 and have 27 points after 16 matchweeks, whereas Shamrock Rovers have 32 points after 17 games and managed to beat St Patrick’s Athletic 4-0 on May 19.
Match preview
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The home side’s game against Drogheda was an even contest, with both sides limiting each other to no big chances, though Friday’s hosts only left with a point thanks to Dominic Thomas‘s 90th-minute equaliser.
Even though Derry conceded, it was just the third time in six matches that they failed to keep a clean sheet in.
The Candystripes drew 0-0 with the visitors when they met earlier in the 2025 season on March 28, but they did not win any of their prior seven meetings, losing on four occasions.
Head coach Tiernan Lynch will be pleased with his side’s form considering they are unbeaten in four outings – winning three – and have triumphed in five of their past seven while losing just once.
Derry come into Friday’s match on the back of three consecutive victories at home, as well as three consecutive clean sheets.
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Opponents Shamrock Rovers may have won 4-0 against St Patrick’s Athletic – creating four big chances – but they were fortunate to avoid conceding given they faced three big chances and relied on the crossbar late in the second half to keep their clean sheet.
Rovers have only conceded one goal in their four most recent fixtures, and they boast the division’s best defensive record having only picked the ball out of their net 15 times this term.
Hoops boss Stephen Bradley will also be delighted by his team’s offensive efforts given their return of 31 goals in the top flight makes them the league’s best attacking side, netting at least eight more than any of the other nine clubs.
Bradley’s side have won their last four games by a cumulative score of 12-1, but they failed to win their previous four, suffering one loss.
Shamrock Rovers are also undefeated in five away games – winning three – though nine of the 15 goals they have conceded this term have come in their nine matches on the road.
Team News
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Derry City left wing-back Ben Doherty is dealing with a muscle injury and may miss out, and his absence could lead to the selection of Sam Todd to the left of centre-backs Hayden Cann, Mark Connolly and Kevin Holt.
Adam O’Reilly, Robbie Benson and Michael Duffy were stationed in a midfield three last time out, and they are likely to play together on Friday.
In the forward line, perhaps Gavin Whyte and Liam Boyce will be utilised in a front two considering they were paired as a duo against Drogheda.
As for Shamrock, centre-back Daniel Cleary is a doubt due to a knock, while fellow defenders Sean Kavanagh and Sean Robertson have been ruled out.
Expect Lee Grace, Roberto Lopez and Cory O’Sullivan to start in central defence behind midfielders Jack Byrne, Darragh Nugent and Matthew Healy.
Striker Graham Burke scored twice against St Patrick’s Athletic, and he will almost certainly feature alongside Michael Noonan, who scored once in that match.
Derry City possible starting lineup:
Maher; Cann, Connolly, Holt; Harkin, O’Reilly, Benson, Duffy, Todd; Whyte, Boyce
Shamrock Rovers possible starting lineup:
McGinty; Grace, Lopez, O’Sullivan; Grant, Byrne, Nugent, Healy, Honohan; Burke, Noonan
We say: Derry City 1-2 Shamrock Rovers
It would not be surprising if Derry managed to score considering the visitors have been somewhat more defensively vulnerable on the road.
However, when coupling Shamrock’s record in front of goal with their strong form, they should be confident of claiming all three points.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
