MATCH PREVIEW: Derry City FC vs Waterford FC

WATERFORD FC

The Blues head to Derry full of confidence tomorrow night on the back of last Friday’s 3-2 win away to Dundalk FC at Oriel Park. After falling two goals behind, Tommy Lonergan pulled one back for the Blues on the stroke of half-time, before levelling the scoreline just after the hour-mark from the penalty spot. John Mahon came to the Blues’ rescue in the 86th minute, flicking home Will Johnson’s long-throw to seal a memorable comeback win in Louth.

With three wins form our last six games, the Blues will look to add to that number in the win column this Friday evening, having closed the gap to ninth placed Sligo Rovers from eight points to just three points in recent weeks, with the Blues now sitting on 17 points from our 22 league games played to date in 2026.

DERRY CITY FC

Tiernan Lynch’s Derry City welcome the Blues to the Brandywell this Friday night looking to build on their 2-0 win at home to Drogheda United last Friday night – in a game that was played on grass at the Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium for the first time with goals from Cameron Dummigan & Adam O’Reilly giving the Candystripes just their sixth win of the league campaign.

Derry sit in sixth position in the league table going into Friday’s game against Waterford, with 29 points to their name from 24 games – two more games played than the Blues due to their European commitments which kicks off next week in Bulgaria as they take on CSKA Sofia in their UEFA Europa League 1st Qualifying Round 1st leg tie.

WATERFORD FC TEAM NEWS

Graham Coughlan has no fresh injury concerns to contend with going into Friday’s clash against Derry City at the Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium, with Evan McLaughlin & Finlay Armstrong the only names on the injury list.

Cian Barrett, who spent the first-half of the season on loan with the Blues, returned to his parent club Shamrock Rovers this week, whilst Goforth Amedu lined out for our MU20’s in their 2-1 win over Galway United last week as he gets his match fitness up after joining the Blues last month.

GRAHAM COUGHLAN’S THOUGHTS

“The lads worked their socks off last week to get the win in Dundalk. We had to make a few tweaks & adjustments at half-time, but the team were superb in the second-half to get us the win.

Now it’s about bringing that momentum into tomorrow night against Derry City. We know what to expect up at the Brandywell against a top team. But we’re ready for the challenge and the players are keen to build on last week’s win.”