Derry City defender Mark Connolly has warned his teammates against complacency after the club secured back-to-back league victories. The Candystripes are looking to build momentum as they prepare for a crucial run of fixtures to close the season, according to a report from the club's official website, www.derrycityfc.net.
With nine league games left and a cup campaign still active, the focus at the Brandywell is firmly on finishing as high as possible. The team currently sits sixth in the Premier Division, having taken 33 points from 28 games with a record of seven wins, twelve draws, and nine losses. Their recent form has been inconsistent, with three wins and two losses in their last five outings, including a heavy 5-3 defeat to Bohemians just last week.
Why is there no room for self-congratulation?
Connolly was clear that two wins do not constitute a successful season. "We can’t pat ourselves on the back after two wins. We need to kick on," the defender stated. This sentiment reflects a squad aware that their position is not where they want it to be. The gap to the summit is significant, with Shamrock Rovers leading the title race by a margin of 21 points. The immediate goal is to use any positive momentum to climb the standings, which you can follow on our standings page.
The team's attacking output has been solid, netting 38 goals this season, with Michael Duffy leading the line as top scorer with 12. However, defensive frailties were exposed in the recent loss, conceding 37 goals overall. The coaching staff, led by Rennie and Stevie, who possess deep knowledge of the League of Ireland, will be tasked with finding greater consistency. The club's structure is considered well-set, and they have good players at their disposal, but turning that potential into points is the current challenge.
How does the injury situation look for the run-in?
The squad is dealing with a few absentees as they head into the final stretch. One positive note is the return to training of Brandon Fleming. The player is back running with the group, though a full return to match action is still estimated to be a few weeks away. Connolly acknowledged the shortage but remained confident, saying, "We are down a few but we will be okay for Friday." Fans can monitor the latest availability updates on our dedicated injuries page.
What comes next for Derry City?
The schedule does not get any easier. After a trip to Dalymount Park this Friday, Derry City face a massive test at home against league leaders Shamrock Rovers on August 30th. This upcoming match, detailed on our fixtures list, represents a direct opportunity to measure progress against the best. The remaining league games and the ongoing cup competition provide a platform to salvage a season that has seen too few consecutive victories. The message from within the camp is unified: the work is only just beginning, and the real test is sustaining this brief upturn in form against the top sides in the division.
