There can be little argument over who wears the No.1 shirt after Maher's outstanding debut season at Brandywell. Despite the signing of Tadhg Ryan to add some much needed competition in the goalkeeping department, the Dubliner is hugely important in terms of the way Derry play and it would come as a major surprise should he be left out for this one.There can be little argument over who wears the No.1 shirt after Maher's outstanding debut season at Brandywell. Despite the signing of Tadhg Ryan to add some much needed competition in the goalkeeping department, the Dubliner is hugely important in terms of the way Derry play and it would come as a major surprise should he be left out for this one.
There can be little argument over who wears the No.1 shirt after Maher's outstanding debut season at Brandywell. Despite the signing of Tadhg Ryan to add some much needed competition in the goalkeeping department, the Dubliner is hugely important in terms of the way Derry play and it would come as a major surprise should he be left out for this one.

How Could Derry City Line-Up in President's Cup Final against Shamrock Rovers after transfer window

Derry City could yet make a few additions to their 2023 squad with the League of Ireland transfer window remaining open and potential new loan signings also a possibility in the coming days.
By Simon Collins
Published 5th Feb 2023, 21:47 BST

Ruaidhri Higgins has done some shrewd business in the market during the close season and his strongest team will look slightly different from last year's team which finished second and won the FAI Cup.

With that in mind we've put together the likely starting XI, based on a 4-3-3 formation, that fans could see lining out for the President's Cup at Brandywell on Friday night as both Derry and Shamrock Rovers look to put down an early marker and strike a psychological blow at the first possible opportunity.

Have a look at our starting line-up and let us know your thoughts on Derry's strongest line-up.

Have a look at our starting line-up and let us know your thoughts on Derry's strongest line-up.

The midfield maestro will be hoping to get amongst the goals again this season and it will be interesting to see where Higgins opts to play the ex-Man City man this season again given his various midfield options. His ability from setpieces alone would give him the edge in any starting XI and with skipper Patrick McEleney likely to sit this one out due to a slight niggle sustained in pre-season, Patching is expected to play in an advanced midfield role.

9. Will Patching (midfield)

The midfield maestro will be hoping to get amongst the goals again this season and it will be interesting to see where Higgins opts to play the ex-Man City man this season again given his various midfield options. His ability from setpieces alone would give him the edge in any starting XI and with skipper Patrick McEleney likely to sit this one out due to a slight niggle sustained in pre-season, Patching is expected to play in an advanced midfield role. Photo: Kevin Moore

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When fit it would be a difficult decision to leave the talented winger out of the team and given he's already bagged a couple of goals in preseason, he looks ready to hit the ground running. Provides so much attacking threat and simply has to play, particularly in the games against the top clubs. The Galliagh man will have Ben Doherty to rival him on the left side of the pitch but it would be a major surprise should he not be named in the starting XI against Rovers on Friday night.

10. Michael Duffy (left wing)

When fit it would be a difficult decision to leave the talented winger out of the team and given he's already bagged a couple of goals in preseason, he looks ready to hit the ground running. Provides so much attacking threat and simply has to play, particularly in the games against the top clubs. The Galliagh man will have Ben Doherty to rival him on the left side of the pitch but it would be a major surprise should he not be named in the starting XI against Rovers on Friday night. Photo: George Sweeney

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Arrived midway through last season from Waterford and struggled to get a run of games together. When he did play he looked a handful for opposition defences and I'd expect him to play a bigger role this season as a centre forward. He's shown his ability to hit the back of the net in preseason with a hat-trick against Finn Harps and scored once again in the 1-1 draw with Carrick Rangers at the weekend. He offers something different to Jamie McGonigle and just gets the nod to start for me given his recent goalscoring form.

11. Cian Kavanagh (striker)

Arrived midway through last season from Waterford and struggled to get a run of games together. When he did play he looked a handful for opposition defences and I'd expect him to play a bigger role this season as a centre forward. He's shown his ability to hit the back of the net in preseason with a hat-trick against Finn Harps and scored once again in the 1-1 draw with Carrick Rangers at the weekend. He offers something different to Jamie McGonigle and just gets the nod to start for me given his recent goalscoring form. Photo: George Sweeney

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