By:
Conor Martin
First and second in the League of Ireland meet under the lights as Derry City host Shamrock Rovers (kick-off 7:45pm).
Despite being at the summit, both teams haven’t exactly set the league alight this year after a sluggish start. But both now seem to be finding momentum, with Derry City winning three of their last five matches having only lost one game in seven, which came at the hands of Waterford.
They drew 1-1 with Drogheda United last week and go into this game five points behind 21-time League of Ireland champions Shamrock Rovers. A loss will see the gap between the pair extended to eight points. However, a win will see that reduced to two and the Candystripes still have a game in hand.
Stephen Bradley’s Hoops have shaken off the slight hangover picked up from their extended Europa Conference League campaign.
At the start of the week, they beat St Patrick’s Athletic 4-0, with Michael Noonan and Aaron Greene finding the net while Graham Burke bagged a brace, scoring the men from Tallaght’s third and fourth goals on Monday evening.
The league leaders will be confident of extending their lead over second-placed Derry, winning their last four in a row, with three clean sheets. They are also unbeaten against Derry City in eight matches, with four wins and four draws.
League of Ireland: Derry City v Shamrock Rovers – Players To Watch
Michael Duffy (Derry City)
The Derry native has scored six times in 16 appearances this season and has been a constant feature in the Candystripes’ starting XI. As well as finding the net himself, he has shown he can create goals too, with three assists so far in 2025.
His last goal came in Derry’s 2-0 win over League of Ireland champions Shelbourne, where he scored, meeting a corner at the back post. If he can get similar service then he will be a handful for the Rovers defence.
Graham Burke (Shamrock Rovers)
Just like Derry’s Duffy, Burke has found the net six times this year and almost has the same number of assists as he does goals, with five.
Last time out, he showed the attacking threat he possesses with two goals and an assist against St Pat’s. Also able to play on the left wing and lead the attack in midfield, he is partly the reason why Rovers are top and he’ll be hoping to continue his and the Hoops’ good form.
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