Derry City FC will start the new league season at the Ryan McBride Brandywell stadium for only the second time in a decade tonight when Drogheda provide the opening night opposition to Ruaidhri Higgins’ team (KO 7.45).
The City boss has been in good form ahead of the new campaign, no doubt buoyed by the arrival last week of his assistant, Paul Hegarty.
“I know he’s only been in a few days but he’s made a huge impression on the players already”, said the Limavady man.
“The players have really taken to him and I’m really looking forward to working with him myself.”
The Candystripes will once again be expected to challenge for honours this season and the boss is well aware that points dropped against teams in the bottom half last time were to prove costly in the end.
“It’s something we’ve touched on to be honest. Our away record two years in a row has been the best in the league, however early in the season last year we dropped too many points at home.
“Things definitely improved from the summer onwards but if you’re realistic about doing anything, then you have to be dominant at home and put teams away here.
“It won’t be easy though- I think this year more than any you can see that the two newly promoted teams are really good sides as well, so it will be an extremely competitive league.
Asked about Friday night’s challenge, he said he was well aware of how difficult a task it will be.
“Under Kevin Doherty, Drogheda have been getting better and better in recent seasons.
“They’ve been taken over now and probably have a bit more money to spend than what they had previously. They’ve recruited well, which they’ve always done to be fair. They’ve always been very shrewd with their recruitment.
“They’ve certainly caused us problems in the past. We took seven points from 12 against them last year and the year before might’ve been less than that.
“They’re a tough nut to crack and always well set up, particularly against the top end teams, however we’re at home and we have to be right at it from the start.
Regarding team news, things certainly seem to be very positive in the hosts’ camp.
“We’re not too bad - Colm Whelan is obviously still a bit away and we already knew that Diallo is out for seven or eight weeks.
“Ciaron Harkin is pretty much there now but he’s had a severe lack of minutes and games so we will have to build him up over the next while.
“Outside of that we have pretty much a full complement to choose from.
“We’re really looking forward to getting started and with a full house behind us we want to send our supporters home happy.”
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