In-form Derry City full of belief we can pass tricky Drogheda test: Mark Connolly
Kevin Doherty's team have had the Candystripes' number since the 2024 season, especially in the FAI Cup Final at the Aviva Stadium in November which proved to be Ruaidhri Higgins' last game in charge.
That Cup win has helped fire Drogheda to the top of the League for a lengthy spell already in the 2025 season, and they frustrated Derry further with a 3-1 win at the Brandywell in April.
And while they may have lost top spot following defeat to Shamrock Rovers, Connolly knows that the Candystripes will have to be at their best to continue their own good form against a team that annually causes them problems.
'First and foremost, Drogheda are a good team, and they are up there at the top end of the table for a reason,' he acknowledged.
'We know it's not going to be an easy game, and we know going there, it's going to be very difficult, but the way we've been playing recently, we're a very, very solid unit now and we have got a lot of boys working extremely hard.
'We're going there full of confidence and, hopefully, we can go there and get a win.'
Connolly believes that bruised egos could be the driving force which leads Derry to greater success in the 2025 season.
The Candystripes have gone from bottom of the Premier Division earlier in the season to joint top after three successive victories, and they head towards the halfway point of the season in their best form.
Connolly believes that the pain of that early-season form has evolved into a winning attitude which can only lead to greater things down the line.
'They all have egos, which you need to play at the top level,' he said.
'But they are all good people, and I've said it before, it doesn't matter if you're 17 years of age or 33 or 34; if you're not playing well, it hurts, and if you are dropped or taken out of the team, it hurts.
'But if we want to be winning anything and if we want Derry City to be successful, we all need to be pulling in the same direction.
'There's a lot of hurt there when you're not playing, but you need a reaction, and the club is far bigger than any player that walks through the door.
'There are numerous players who have been in and out of the team and they keep coming back and they keep working hard, and at the moment, they are certainly getting their rewards for it and long may it continue.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
North Wales Chronicle
4 hours ago
- North Wales Chronicle
From full-back to front row, the battles that will decide Challenge Cup final
The return of captain George Williams has given a major boost to Wire's chances but Rovers, streaking away at the top of Super League, have the edge in plenty of other departments. Here the PA news agency take a closer look at the key areas that could determine the destiny of this year's trophy: Full-back: Matt Dufty v Jack Broadbent Having made his name as a flashy and thrusting full-back, Australian Dufty has added another dimension to his game this season, holding together a Warrington spine decimated by injuries to the likes of Williams, Marc Sneyd and Danny Walker. Meanwhile Rovers will have no qualms about dropping Broadbent into the role temporarily vacated by the cup-tied Arthur Mourgue. Broadbent has excelled when called upon by head coach Willie Peters and scored two tries and delivered a man of the match-winning display in their crushing semi-final win over Catalans. Half-back: George Williams v Mikey Lewis All attention will be on the Warrington captain and star scrum-half, who will make his comeback less than eight weeks after undergoing surgery on an injured ankle. Williams' match-fitness could be key to his side's hopes of lifting the Cup. Lewis, the reigning Super League Man of Steel, is equally essential to Rovers' prospects. His tenacity and accuracy with the boot has been integral to his side's surge to the top of Super League, and there few for whom bringing an end to Rovers' 40-year trophy hoodoo would mean more. Hooker: Sam Powell v Jez Litten Despite a trophy-laden career with Wigan, Powell has never been on the field for a Challenge Cup win. But the 32-year-old will get another chance in place of the injured Danny Walker, and Wire hope his previous experience of Wembley will play a crucial factor. Having played second fiddle for much of last season to Matt Parcell, Litten has emerged as one of the success stories of Rovers' continued rise this term, his relentless and pinpoint attacking threat making sure his side maintain momentum through the sticky moments that have come their way. Front row: Paul Vaughan v Dean Hadley Irresistible forces and immovable objects abound in both finalists' respective front rows and are encapsulated by Vaughan and Hadley. The 6ft 4in Vaughan has brought relentless power and passion to a Wire side struggling with so many injury setbacks this season. The value of the equally uncompromising Hadley was underlined by being the only Rovers regular to be rested for last week's Super League win over St Helens. With neither player prepared to give an inch, Vaughan and Hadley will provide the base for their respective sides' cup-winning chances.
South Wales Guardian
4 hours ago
- South Wales Guardian
From full-back to front row, the battles that will decide Challenge Cup final
The return of captain George Williams has given a major boost to Wire's chances but Rovers, streaking away at the top of Super League, have the edge in plenty of other departments. Here the PA news agency take a closer look at the key areas that could determine the destiny of this year's trophy: Full-back: Matt Dufty v Jack Broadbent Having made his name as a flashy and thrusting full-back, Australian Dufty has added another dimension to his game this season, holding together a Warrington spine decimated by injuries to the likes of Williams, Marc Sneyd and Danny Walker. Meanwhile Rovers will have no qualms about dropping Broadbent into the role temporarily vacated by the cup-tied Arthur Mourgue. Broadbent has excelled when called upon by head coach Willie Peters and scored two tries and delivered a man of the match-winning display in their crushing semi-final win over Catalans. Half-back: George Williams v Mikey Lewis All attention will be on the Warrington captain and star scrum-half, who will make his comeback less than eight weeks after undergoing surgery on an injured ankle. Williams' match-fitness could be key to his side's hopes of lifting the Cup. Lewis, the reigning Super League Man of Steel, is equally essential to Rovers' prospects. His tenacity and accuracy with the boot has been integral to his side's surge to the top of Super League, and there few for whom bringing an end to Rovers' 40-year trophy hoodoo would mean more. Hooker: Sam Powell v Jez Litten Despite a trophy-laden career with Wigan, Powell has never been on the field for a Challenge Cup win. But the 32-year-old will get another chance in place of the injured Danny Walker, and Wire hope his previous experience of Wembley will play a crucial factor. Having played second fiddle for much of last season to Matt Parcell, Litten has emerged as one of the success stories of Rovers' continued rise this term, his relentless and pinpoint attacking threat making sure his side maintain momentum through the sticky moments that have come their way. Front row: Paul Vaughan v Dean Hadley Irresistible forces and immovable objects abound in both finalists' respective front rows and are encapsulated by Vaughan and Hadley. The 6ft 4in Vaughan has brought relentless power and passion to a Wire side struggling with so many injury setbacks this season. The value of the equally uncompromising Hadley was underlined by being the only Rovers regular to be rested for last week's Super League win over St Helens. With neither player prepared to give an inch, Vaughan and Hadley will provide the base for their respective sides' cup-winning chances.
Rhyl Journal
4 hours ago
- Rhyl Journal
From full-back to front row, the battles that will decide Challenge Cup final
The return of captain George Williams has given a major boost to Wire's chances but Rovers, streaking away at the top of Super League, have the edge in plenty of other departments. Here the PA news agency take a closer look at the key areas that could determine the destiny of this year's trophy: Full-back: Matt Dufty v Jack Broadbent Having made his name as a flashy and thrusting full-back, Australian Dufty has added another dimension to his game this season, holding together a Warrington spine decimated by injuries to the likes of Williams, Marc Sneyd and Danny Walker. Meanwhile Rovers will have no qualms about dropping Broadbent into the role temporarily vacated by the cup-tied Arthur Mourgue. Broadbent has excelled when called upon by head coach Willie Peters and scored two tries and delivered a man of the match-winning display in their crushing semi-final win over Catalans. Half-back: George Williams v Mikey Lewis All attention will be on the Warrington captain and star scrum-half, who will make his comeback less than eight weeks after undergoing surgery on an injured ankle. Williams' match-fitness could be key to his side's hopes of lifting the Cup. Lewis, the reigning Super League Man of Steel, is equally essential to Rovers' prospects. His tenacity and accuracy with the boot has been integral to his side's surge to the top of Super League, and there few for whom bringing an end to Rovers' 40-year trophy hoodoo would mean more. Hooker: Sam Powell v Jez Litten Despite a trophy-laden career with Wigan, Powell has never been on the field for a Challenge Cup win. But the 32-year-old will get another chance in place of the injured Danny Walker, and Wire hope his previous experience of Wembley will play a crucial factor. Having played second fiddle for much of last season to Matt Parcell, Litten has emerged as one of the success stories of Rovers' continued rise this term, his relentless and pinpoint attacking threat making sure his side maintain momentum through the sticky moments that have come their way. Front row: Paul Vaughan v Dean Hadley Irresistible forces and immovable objects abound in both finalists' respective front rows and are encapsulated by Vaughan and Hadley. The 6ft 4in Vaughan has brought relentless power and passion to a Wire side struggling with so many injury setbacks this season. The value of the equally uncompromising Hadley was underlined by being the only Rovers regular to be rested for last week's Super League win over St Helens. With neither player prepared to give an inch, Vaughan and Hadley will provide the base for their respective sides' cup-winning chances.
