Derry City boss Mark Connolly admits upcoming three week fixture break far from ideal

Connolly has overseen a rejuvenation of the club's fortunes during his stint as interim manager, guiding the Candy Stripes to four wins, two draws and just a single defeat during his seven games in charge. That record will be tested again this evening when Derry's FAI Cup semi-final opponents, Galway United, are the visitors for a critical Premier Division clash.

The league meeting is the first of back to back games against John Caufield's team and with the forthcoming international break interrupting the domestic fixture list, it means City face a three week wait until October 10th for that Club Orange FAI Cup semi-final trip to Eamonn Deacy Park.

Galway are due to host Shelbourne on September 25th so won't have Derry's extended break and with only four league games remaining for City after Friday's match, Connolly admitted the timing of the break could be better.

"Listen it’s not ideal. Ideally you'd rather just be playing Friday on Friday. It's more of an atmosphere," explained the former centre-half, "Monday nights are difficult for fans and, to be fair, they have been brilliant. Even the support we had down in Waterford on Monday was incredible.

"To see the numbers and people who travelled that distance.... it was unbelievable but, yeah, ideally it would be Friday-Friday. That would be perfect but it is what it is, we just have to get on with it."

The Tribesmen arrive at Brandywell having suffered only one defeat in their last 11 games in all competitions and Connolly is expecting a difficult game against a team only one point and one place behind City in sixth spot.

"They are similar to Waterford; very, very difficult to play against," he added, "They are set up very well. John Caulfield is a manager who is very experienced, has a lot of know-how; a very successful manager in this league. They're a good team and don't get beat too often.

"It's a really difficult game but it is one we are looking forward to, especially with how the boys have been playing.

"We are confident in every game - against every team - with the players we have in the dressing room and the application they are showing. We will approach it like every other game. We’re going to try and play a way that we have been playing. It’s been working. We’ve been playing some good football and, again, without the ball we have to try and be aggressive and win our duels. Same as most weeks.”

And despite that cup semi-final looming large on the horizon, Connolly says his only focus is on three points.

"We have five league games left and they’re all massive and the boys know that. The application the boys put in on Monday night at Waterford was incredible given we had Friday away at Shelbourne which was a tough one.

"Then you do all that travelling, so the boys were brilliant, the attitude was brilliant but again, it is the league and the league is the priority this Friday.

"The cup will take care of itself when it comes so we have to go and make sure we get a good result on Friday."