Fans' absence at Brandywell hurting Derry City says St Pat's striker

Every League of Ireland club has suffered in the absence of home gates but Kelly believes Derry City is among the clubs hit hardest by a lack of vocal backing.

The former Candy Stripe was linked with a return to Derry before opting to reunite with his ex-Dundalk teammate, Stephen O’Donnell at Inchicore last July on loan from Oriel Park until the end of the season.

Tonight he returns to Foyleside for the first time since he won the EA Sports Cup with Dundalk on penalties 12 months ago.

Prior to that he scored an extra-time winner at the Lone Moor Road venue as Dundalk knocked Derry out of the FAI Cup last August.

While it’s been a happy hunting ground of late for the Burnfoot native, he knows only too well how difficult the venue can be for visiting teams.

That was prior to the Covid-19 crisis and since fans are no longer permitted in the ground, Kelly believes Derry have missed the famous Brandywell roar.

“It probably doesn’t help Derry,” he said. “Under Decky (Devine) they are a real fighting, battling side and the crowd boosted them, especially last year, the crowd really got behind them.

“That was a big thing about Brandywell and I’m sure they’re frustrated they’re missing out on that. They would’ve thrived off the big crowd up there.

“It does make it a bit better for other clubs to go up there and have a crack at them but that’s just the times we’re living in.

“We’ve got to keep going and hopefully we can pick up three points.”

Kelly, who is enjoying getting regular game time, bagged a brace of goals on his Saints debut against Finn Harps in August 9th but hasn’t managed to find the back of the net since as St Pat’s have struggled for consistency.

O’Donnell’s troops were among the favourites to qualify for Europe this year having recruited well but having failed to win in their last four league matches, they’re suddenly looking over their shoulders at Harps and Cork below them.

Like Derry, Pats have struggled to find form in the truncated season but Kelly knows a win tonight would turn things around.

“Derry is in the same boat as us,” he explained.

“It’s so tight with the limited amount of games and a couple of wins on the bounce can make your season, so it’s a huge game for both sides.”

Derry won 2-0 when the sides last met at Richmond Park on August 3rd when goals from debutante James Akintunde and skipper, Conor McCormack sealed the points.

Since then Kelly has been impressed with how the Candy Stripes have set up defensively.

“I haven’t seen a whole lot of Derry since the game at Richmond Park. From what I have seen they seem really solid at the back with Eoin Toal and Darren Cole coming back in.

“They’re physically strong and the guy who came in from Stoke (Cameron McJannett) has started well so defensively they look solid.

“They’ve been like us where they just can’t get on a run.

“They would get a result but then couldn’t follow it up.

“They, like us, have good enough players to qualify for Europe but it’s just finding that consistency.”