No fear factor for Derry against Rovers

Though they’ve lost their two most recent meetings, Derry City manager Ruaidhri Higgins says his side holds no fear of the challenge against champions Shamrock Rovers in the top-of-the-table Premier Division clash at the Ryan McBride Brandywell stadium tonight.

Under Higgins' tenure over the last two years, Derry have beaten Rovers four times in league and cups and come into the game in arguably their best form of the season, unbeaten in six league games since losing to Hoops in late June.

“There will be no inferiority complex, that’s for sure,” said Higgins who hopes to have key players, defender Mark Connolly, skipper Patrick McEleney and winger Michael Duffy, fully fit.

“Our players have shown in the last few months their capacity to win big football matches and hopefully we can have that mindset and drive going into tonight.

“We will need the home support right behind us. Hopefully we can make it a memorable night.” 

Concurring with his manager Stephen Bradley that it can often be a moment of inspiration that decides big games, Shamrock Rovers’ winger Neil Farrugia is relishing the prospect of tonight’s six-pointer.

Farrugia made his return from an eight-week injury lay-off against Bohemians before the international break, scoring off the bench to rubber-stamp a 3-0 win.

Rovers head north four points clear of their main rivals, a win for either side potentially pivotal as the title race enters the home straight.

“Points wise it's a big game, but we’re going to approach it as any other game,” said Farrugia.

“If you start thinking about the end result it can hinder you. We’ve been here before and we know what it takes, so we’re going to come into it confident in ourselves like every other game.

“I think the teams are