LYNCH FOCUSES ON HOME WITH RIVALS AWAY

TIERNAN LYNCH reckons that Derry City's lack of European football might help their chances of getting back there next year.

- BY PAUL O'HEHIR

The Candystripes boss who strengthened his squad this week is halfway through his first campaign in the League of Ireland and feels he is finally getting up to speed.

Significant back-to-back 1-0 wins away to Shelbourne and St Patrick's Athletic in the last week have pitched Derry to within two points of second spot.

And they have two games in hand on leaders Shamrock Rovers the Hoops are still 11 points clear but with European distractions on the horizon.

Lynch who steered Larne to the league phase of the Conference League last season would prefer if Derry also had Europe to contend with.

Not least with tonight's opponents Drogheda controversially dumped out, although there was no avenue open for the beaten FAI Cup finalists to replace them.