Declan Devine relishing league return as Derry City open against Sligo Rovers

The Candy Stripes are currently in seventh position and have 14 league games remaining in the SSE Airtricity Premier Division as they prepare to resume their season at home to Sligo Rovers on July 31st next at the earlier kick-off time of 5:45pm.

It’s a quick turnaround for the Foylesiders who travel to Richmond Park the following Monday, August 3rd for their rescheduled clash with St Pat’s before hosting leaders, Shamrock Rovers on Sunday, August 9th which will screened live on eir Sport.

In fact all Premier Division matches up to and including Series 11 have been selected for TV or streaming broadcast.

City boss, Devine is delighted to get confirmation of the shortened league schedule which was released last night and insists his ambitions remain the same as he targets European qualification and the FAI Cup.

Derry are five points behind third placed Bohemians with a game in hand and with just three weeks until kick-off at Brandywell Stadium, Devine expects his team to hit the ground running.

"We've always said we wanted to do as well as last year if not better," declared Devine. "The League Cup is gone but we still want to win a cup. That goes without saying I think everyone wants to try and win a cup.

"Hopefully with the league fixtures coming out it will give the players a bit of a lift. But there's no doubt it's going to be very quick. You want to make sure we're hitting the ground running. We're really looking forward to getting into the hustle and bustle of games."

The games will come thick and fast and the Creggan man expects the shortened league campaign to add extra spice to the league fixtures.

"I think there's going to be a nervousness and an edge about all the games whenever we start back," he predicted. "I think it's going to be a case of everyone is going to be so determined not to lose.

"We've got to find that happy medium between the fear of not losing and the importance of winning," he added. "We've got to try obviously to get as many points on board as soon as possible.

"There certainly won't be any easy games. It will be very competitive from the very first block of games. It's going to be tough but it's something the players will relish and really look forward to.

"It will be unusual with no supporters in the stadium, so that motivation factor is going to be key to every team in the league in terms of how they go about their jobs and how they set up. There will be a lot of competition and a lot of teams fighting for their lives from that first round of games."

Derry were handed a bye into the second round of the FAI Cup following yesterday's draw and Devine welcomed the news.

"It's the pinnacle of the season in terms of being a showcase event and it's something we really want to do well in.

"Of course you want to be in the next round and the bye is very welcome but at the same time you have to understand we need games and want to get back into the hustle and bustle of playing matches as quickly as possible."

"It is welcome as it gets you into the last round of 16. You're three games away from getting to the final so it's very welcome to be in the hat.

"It's something which keeps your season alive no matter what because, as far as I'm aware, it's going to be right at the tail end of the season so it will be something we can work towards and look forward to."

Meanwhile, Devine confirmed the club is continuing to monitor former Leicester City and Larnaca striker, Joe Keaveny and Shrewsbury Town forward, Lifumpa Mwande.

"We're working 24/7 to get people in but they have to be the right fit," he said. "We have a young lad in from Larnaca and a young lad in from Shrewsbury and we will continue to have a look at.

"We're not putting any pressure on the boys, we'll see how it goes in the coming days."

Check out the remaining League of Ireland fixtures here