Jamie McGonigle hoping to add Tolka Park to his list this evening

Shelbourne vs. Derry City

Tonight, 7:45pm

Jamie McGonigle is hoping to personally bring an end to Derry City’s recent frustrations in front of goal when they face Shelbourne tonight. Kick off 7:45pm.

The striker has scored just one goal in six appearances so far this season, but has an added incentive tonight having never scored at Tolka Park.

The striker has scored a goal against every opponent in the Premier Division barring newly-promoted Cork City, and having scored for the first time at Tallaght just last month, he now wants to add the famous Dublin venue to his list of League of Ireland conquests.

“It’s definitely something I think about,” he said. “As a striker you just think about goals all the time, who you’ve scored against and how many you’ve scored against and that sort of stuff.”

“We were talking about it in pre-season actually. I had made it that I hadn’t scored in Tallaght which I’ve already done this season, and I hadn’t scored in Tolka either, so hopefully I can put that one right on Friday night.”

McGonigle and his team mates have been left extremely frustrated in recent weeks due to home draws against both Dundalk and Sligo Rovers, game sin which the Candystripes created very few goal-scoring opportunities.

“We didn’t really create much to be honest and part of that is probably my fault as well,” he acknowledged. “Being a striker I should be scoring more; chances have to be created for me, but me being a striker, that’s just the way I am and the way I think. I have to be scoring goals because that’s my way of helping the team and if I’m not scoring I’m not really helping.

“It is what it is and we just have to try and correct that as the season goes on, hopefully sooner rather than later.”

City lost top spot in the Premier Division to Bohemians as a result of that draw against Sligo Rovers, a situation which might not have transpired had referee Adriano Reale disallowed McGonigle’s first half goal. It was a moment of real controversy which ultimately cost City two points.   

“It was a bit crazy that one,” McGonigle agreed. “I asked the ref what happened and he said he played the advantage but then thought I was dispossessed, but then, watching it back it seemed that the whistle came late, so I don’t really know what was happening. It was a bit frustrating.

“It definitely made a big difference in the game. We were in the ascendency, we were the team on top and we had started well so if we go 1-0 up, it definitely changes it. We can control the game from there instead of going to try and chase a goal whereas they go up the pitch a few minutes later and score and then we’re on the back foot and we’re the ones trying to get back into it as well.

“The first goal is always important because it sets the tone for the game and it lets the team who gets it get in control.”

Tolka challenge

Tonight’s game will be the first time that Derry City and Shelbourne have met since last season’s FAI Cup Final, and while that game was one-sided, it did not tell the whole story of games between the two last year.

“In the league games against Shels last year, they were all tight, even the ones in the Brandywell when we hosted them,” McGonigle acknowledged. “I would expect the same this Friday night. They will be set up well and they will be looking to get one over on us.

“I’m not too sure if the final will still be on their minds but it won’t be on ours. It’s a new season. It was different in the cup final because obviously there was a bigger pitch and that, but it could be an extra incentive for them maybe I’m not sure.   

“No team will fancy going to Tolka. They have already picked up some decent points this year. It’s definitely a difficult place to go. Their crowd get behind them and supports them well so we’ll have to be fully at it on Friday night to get three points.”