Oct 30,2024
And then there were two! It's been an unpredictable League of Ireland title race but coming into Friday's climax, the picture is clear for the two clubs left standing.
But last time Rovers welcomed Waterford to Tallaght Stadium they fell to a 3-1 defeat back in May, although Stephen Bradley's side won the season's two other head-to-heads on the road at The RSC.
Meanwhile, Shels have met Derry four times this campaign, drawing all three league fixtures but losing 2-0 to the Candystripes in September's FAI Cup clash.
So can Damien Duff's side buck that trend on Friday night and get their hands on the league trophy?
Murphy pointed to Shels' recent record against Derry being even worse when one extends the timespan back beyond the confines of this season.
The north Dublin club last tasted victory in the head-to-head scenario in April 2022, losing four times and drawing seven since, while Ruaidhri Higgins' side have been strong at home in 2024.
"They haven't beaten them in 11 meetings and Derry have only lost twice at home this season, so it's a tall order," Murphy said of Shels' task.
"But this season is full of unexpected things so another chance for Shels to add to that list on Friday night.
"I just feel that it will go to goal difference. I just have a feeling that Derry will do enough on the day because there is such a furore now around Ruaidhri Higgins and his tenure up there and the fans maybe turning a little bit.
"(Derry have) had three seasons of this not getting over the line, haven't really built a team; where you look at the likes of Pat's since Stephen (Kenny) has come in have started to put the real seeds of a team for next season.
"Derry just haven't done that. They maybe have 13 good players and they haven't added to that into a championship-winning side and I just feel that Derry need to go out and do something on Friday night to appease the fans before a cup final."
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Murphy and Treacy also discussed Shamrock Rovers' academy which is set to be recognised as a Tusla-regulated childcare service in a move that could revolutionise the funding of youth players in Irish football.
Ultimately, while Murphy expects Shamrock Rovers to get over the line by at least goal difference, Treacy thinks Waterford will relish the role of party poopers at Tallaght Stadium even if Keith Long's side no longer have anything tangible to play for this season.
"I took great enjoyment in being a spoiler, I really did," he said, also highlighting the attacking threats in the Blues' ranks.
"When (opposition) teams think 'we're going to win the league' and the promotion party is set and you're walking down the tunnel and you see all the champagne on ice, you're thinking, 'I'm going to mess all this up for everybody'.
"And I'm sure the Waterford players will be thinking, 'Let's do that', as will the Derry players."
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Treacy acknowledged that Rovers have found real momentum in recent weeks but is still tipping Shelbourne to hold up their end of the bargain by winning at Derry, tipping in-form centre-forward Sean Boyd to be a potential protagonist.
"It's a one-off game, it's a cup final and I think Shelbourne will just do enough by hook or by crook," he said.
"I don't think it's going to be pretty. I think it's going to be a really physical game, fiercely contested but I have a feeling that man Sean Boyd will just get his head on the end of something or force the ball into the back of the net and they will not let Derry score.
"So I've nailed my colours to the mast. I said Shelbourne from very early on and I'll stick with it."
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