Oct 25,2024
We enter the final two games of this year's League of Ireland title race and for Derry City, they find themselves at a crossroads.
By 10pm tonight, their destiny for the season could swing dramatically in one of two directions.
A victory away in Inchicore against St Patrick’s Athletic could put them in pole position for a potential league and cup double. A loss, however, would all but end their title challenge, leaving them facing the grim reality that even an FAI Cup triumph might not be enough to consider this season a success.
This evening's clash at Richmond Park is the standout fixture of the week and it’s no surprise why.
St Patrick’s Athletic are the in-form team in the division, having won their last seven league games.
The last time the Saints tasted defeat was against Waterford in early July, and they haven’t lost at home since early June.
Add a sell-out crowd into the mix, and Derry's task looks even more daunting.
The Candystripes will need to treat this as a cup final in itself to ensure their title hopes remain in their hands.
Derry’s season has been marked by inconsistency and frustration. Despite having the personnel and quality to push for the title, they have repeatedly failed to capitalise on the missteps of their rivals.
Shamrock Rovers and Shelbourne, both of whom have faltered at key moments throughout the season, have left the door open for Derry to take control.
Yet, back-to-back home draws against Bohemians and Sligo Rovers, coupled with a costly defeat away to Drogheda last month, are glaring examples of their inability to seize those opportunities.
The frustration for Derry fans is clear, as the talent within the squad is undeniable.
Injuries have played a part, with key players like Patrick McEleney and Cameron Dummigan struggling for fitness at various stages of the season. Their absences have been keenly felt, particularly in controlling the midfield battles that are so crucial in tight games.
Michael Duffy maintaining fitness has been a bright spot, but Derry have often lacked the cutting edge at the right times, to turn draws into wins.
Goalscoring hasn’t been the issue for Ruaidhrí Higgins’ men. They’ve scored the most goals in the league alongside their opponents tonight.
Defensively, they’ve also been solid, with only Shelbourne and Galway conceding fewer goals. Where Derry have faltered, however, is in their inability to finish off games. They have recorded the most draws in the league, and crucially, five of their last nine Premier Division games have ended in stalemates.
Even more telling is the manner of these draws – in four of those five draws, Derry conceded first, all within the first half, before clawing a goal back in the second half. While this shows resilience, it’s a trend that simply won’t suffice in a title run-in.
Tonight’s game against St Pat’s will hinge on the first goal.
Recent form suggests that if the Saints find the net first, Derry may not have enough in the tank to secure all three points.
The Super Saints have shown a ruthless efficiency in their recent run, with their ability to close out games making them the worst possible opponent to face at this stage of the season.
For Derry, conceding early could prove fatal to their title ambitions. Higgins will need to ensure his side are defensively tight from the off, particularly in the intense atmosphere that awaits them in Inchicore.
It’s hard to pinpoint exactly why Derry have lacked the consistency required for a sustained title challenge.
Injuries, yes, but even with a relatively fit squad, they have struggled to string wins together.
Perhaps the mental strain of being in the chase has weighed on the squad. Derry’s players will need to tap into the spirit and resilience that has been shown in their cup run.
The FAI Cup final looms large on 10 November, but if they’re to go into that game with a chance of completing a domestic double, tonight’s performance must be treated with the same urgency as a final.
St Pat’s, meanwhile, will relish the challenge.
They have been assertive at home, and with their attacking threats, they will fancy their chances of extending their winning run.
Derry’s defence will need to be on high alert, particularly with the likes of Chris Forrester, Jake Mulraney and Zack Elbouzedi pulling the strings for the Saints.
For Derry, tonight represents a defining moment.
Win, and they become the favourites to do the double, with a home fixture against rivals Shels remaining on the final night. Lose, and the narrative of a season of missed opportunities will be cemented, with even an FAI Cup victory likely to feel hollow given the potential that was there for much more.
It all comes down to how they handle the pressure in this, their most significant league game of the season.
By 10pm, we’ll know if Derry City are still dreaming of league glory or left with only the cup to console them.
