it's Good to talk!

The Chairman and manager, Kenny Shiels will be in attendance alongside several members of the first team squad with a number of items on the agenda. And Mr O’Doherty has urged fans to come and have their say on the future of the club.

The Brandywell club will provide updates on the redevelopment of the Brandywell Stadium while Shiels will give his thoughts on how he believes the team are progressing this season.

“Myself and Kenny and a couple of the senior players will be there to provide a summary of where we’re at in terms of the Brandywell project,” said Mr O’Doherty.

“Kenny will also give an update on how the club are progressing and where he thinks we are. It will be an open discussion and nothing will be out of bounds.

“We were going to have it at the start of the season though it’s since been cancelled twice but hopefully there’s a good crowd and fans will come and have their say on the running of the club.

“But personally I’m delighted with the way things are going at the minute,” he added. “We’re the fittest we’ve been in a long time and everybody seems to be coming together and playing much more as a unit than we have been the last couple of years.”

Maginn Park Now the only option

It’s understood Maginn Park is now the only option for Derry City to play its final six away games of the season should work begin on the new pitch at Brandywell next August with Institute’s Riverside Stadium ruled out as a viable alternative.

Mr O’Doherty is expected to meet Council officials tomorrow (Wednesday) but will keep the supporters informed at tonight’s question and answer session which begins at 7.30 p.m.

Shiels Counting the Cost

Meanwhile, Shiels is counting the cost of Derry City’s battling draw against champions, Dundalk at Oriel Park on Friday night with both Gareth McGlynn and Conor McCormack set to miss the visit of Shamrock Rovers to Brandywell Stadium this weekend.

McGlynn is sidelined with a hamstring injury after coming off with 15 minutes gone against the ‘Lilywhites’ while McCormack is suspended following his ‘soft’ red card.

“We’re running out of bodies so we have to make sure we patch people up and get ready for this week as we haven’t the depth in the squad and that’s the problem,” said Shiels.

And Derry are expected to submit a claim of mistaken identity to the FAI after skipper Ryan McBride was booked for a foul that was committed by McCormack three minutes into Friday’s top of the table clash.

Shiels was unhappy with the performance of referee, Padraig Sutton who issued 13 yellow cards on the night.

“Imagine getting booked after three minutes for his (Ryan McBride’s) first tackle which wasn’t reckless or vicious,” added Shiels.

“So I think from the first whistle the referee got overawed by being on television. I’m not saying that was the case but it gave out that impression.”