On Friday Aug 12th, Derry City hosts Shamrock Rovers in a clash of the Premier Division. Weather on match day is looking like a cloudy and cool day, with daytime temperatures of only 19 degrees, which will be a great treat for players. In their last match, Derry City recorded a 1-1 draw against Dundalk. James Akintunde struck first for Derry City in the 12th minute, but Patrick Hoban got the equalizer for Dundalk in the 3rd minute of the second half’s stoppage time earning Dundalk a comeback draw. Derry City is looking for direction having earned 13 points in their last 10 matches, while 1st placed Shamrock Rovers is fresh off their 3-1 win against Shkupi. Graham Burke scored the first goal for Shamrock Rovers in the 13th minute on a penalty shot, then Watts added another in the 29th minute on a feed from Rory Gaffney. Shamrock Rovers is on a hot streak lately, with 7 wins in their last 10 matches.
Shamrock Rovers and Derry City last played eachother at the Waterford Regional Sports Centre on May 13th. Shamrock Rovers was victorious by a score of 1 to 0. Daniel Mandroiu struck first for Shamrock Rovers in the 79th minute, and with that single goal the scoring was complete. Neither team could manage anything else At the end of 90 a dissapointed Derry City couldn’t manage to score, and Shamrock Rovers took the shutout win.
Shamrock Rovers’s most prolific scorer has been Aidomo Emakhu. The Irish attacker has netted two goals over the last 5 matches. Derry City is lucky enough to have a few offensive weapons, with Matthew Smith and James Akintunde each having 2 goals in their last five.