SSE Airtricity League Premier Division: Wexford Youths v Derry City (Saturday, 5pm)
DERRY CITY manager Kenny Shiels has admitted his players have been exceptional this week, as they and the country tries to come to terms with the terrible tragedy at Buncrana Pier last Sunday.
Midfielder Joshua Daniels lost his mother Ruth, sister Jodie-Lee, brother-in-law Sean McGrotty and nephews Mark and Evan in last weekend’s tragedy. Shiels who, along with club-chairman Philip O’Doherty and the entire first-team squad and back-room team, attended the funeral on Thursday, admitted it has been a tough week.
“It has been very difficult to dissect the week,” he said.
“From football to grieving, obviously for Josh and his family and the McGrotty family and that has been prevalent in our thoughts. It has been hard to mix those two, because one minute you are trying to motivate your players and the next minute you are having empathy with an enormous tragedy, but we have got on with it and the players have been exceptional. What’s important now is that we show our support and respect for the families because it’s not about Derry City, it’s about the families and I want to stress that.”
City take on Wexford Youths tonight and Shiels knows it’s going to be difficult against a side who have been unlucky in their opening four games in the Premier Division: “Coming out of their camp they feel they should have won all four games,” he added.
“They took Dundalk to near the end; they were very, very unlucky against [Shamrock] Rovers in a game they should have won at Tallaght; they drew with Bohs in Dublin as well and they had a disappointing result in the first game against Longford.
“They have Johnny Bonner from Donegal and Aidan Friel from Strabane in their ranks. Paul Murphy is a very good striker, Chris Kenny in midfield is good and Danny Furlong up front is a top striker. So they have got good pedigree, we know about them and we have got to be prepared for a battle.”
Skipper Ryan McBride (pictured) is struggling a knee problem, while both Aaron Barry, Conor McCormack and Aaron McEneff missed training on Thursday: “Ryan is doubtful as he hasn’t trained for a number of days because of a knee problem, while Aaron Barry, Conor and Aaron McEneff should all make it, but they didn’t train on Thursday, but fingers crossed they’ll be okay.”
Also playing in the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division on Saturday are Galway United, who host Bohemians at Eamonn Deacy Park. Bottom side Bray Wanderers will be aiming to get their first win of the season when they face fellow winless men Sligo Rovers at the Carlisle Grounds.
In the First Division, table toppers Limerick will be looking for their fourth win in a row when they travel to Athlone Town. Shelbourne will be hoping they can finally get their first win of the campaign when they entertain Drogheda United. UCD travel to Cobh Ramblers and Cabinteely come up against Waterford United at Stradbrook.
