Derry City begin pre-season games at home to Dundalk

The Candy Stripes have also lined up friendlies against North West neighbours, Finn Harps, Dubliners Bohemians and First Division side, Bray Wanderers and boss Declan Devine admits organising fixtures during the coronavirus pandemic has been difficult.

A FAI Covid ruling means clubs can only play fellow League of Ireland sides from either the Premier and First Division during pre-season.

“I’m tying up dates but at the minute we are down to play Dundalk in our first game and then Finn Harps, both of those games will be at the Brandywell,” explained the City manager.

“Then we are going to Dublin to play Bray Wanderers and Bohemians but no dates have been finalised.

“We have to play League of Ireland teams. Normally we would play teams from the Ulster Senior League and Irish League but we can’t do that this year, it has to be teams from either the League of Ireland First or Premier Division but I’m happy with our fixtures, they’ll be great preparation.

“Bray will be expected to do really well in the First Division this year. Bohemians, Finn Harps and Dundalk are all brilliant games to have but we also have to take a few games away from home just to get ourselves ready for grass pitches. Our first game is on grass at Longford, so we have to make sure that we are ready for that.”

Devine conceded there is the danger of ‘showing your hand’ to opposition but said the days of no one seeing your team before the first game of the season are long gone.

“It is strange playing teams from your own division but with modern technology and the ability to get on to ‘Wyscout’ and all the rest, you see all the games and I can watch every club online at the minute,” he added.

“I can see all their games from last year and probably see most of their pre-season games.

“The most important thing is the players get minutes under their belts. In an ideal world you would probably be playing teams in and around the area.”

Those games in Dublin also means the Brandywell men will have to travel South in two buses adding to the club’s expenses.

“It’s difficult for us because of our location. If you are based in Dublin then it’s quite easy to get more games as there are more clubs around you but our location makes it extremely difficult for friendlies,” he stated.

“We also have the added expense of it because we have to take two buses to away matches but such as life at the minute, it’s completely strange, but the most important thing for us is getting friendlies and thankfully we have those lined up now.”

Devine also confirmed that while new signing Joe Hodge is initially on-loan for six months from Manchester City, the deal maybe extended.

“It’s an initial six month period but there’s nothing to say that if Joe is going well and Man City like the way he’s developing, there’s no reason why it can’t be extended,” explained the Derry boss.

“But first and foremost it’s about getting Joe in the door and providing a facility for the young fella to go and express himself.

“We have good players here, especially in the middle of the park. Joe Thomson I think is going to have a brilliant year this season, I think both Ciaron Harkin and Jack Malone will have good years and there’s a youthfulness about our midfield. It should be exciting and something we should all look forward to.”