Derry have the title within their reach

IT'S ALL over bar the shouting now, but there'll be plenty of that in Derry tonight. The Brandywell's biggest crowd of the season could hardly have it better, the possibility of the title being won against Shamrock Rovers, with two more chances at home to come.

"If you don't get a big crowd tonight, then you'll never get one," observed Felix Healy yesterday, the City manager sounding utterly relaxed on the eve of, possibly, his hometown club's biggest night in the eight years since they won their first National League championship.

The 41 year old stands on the verge of a little bit of history of his own as well, having played in that treble winning side of 1988-89. Ask him if he's aware of that and he responds: "I'll be glad when it's over.

Ever the manager, ever the strain; it goes with the territory.

"With 10 minutes to go on Saturday (in the vital 1-1 draw at Shelbourne) I turned to Damien (Richardson) and said: `are we wise'?"

Nevertheless, it surely is over now. Healy, a keen golfer, appreciated the comparison with Tiger Woods' virtually impregnable position approaching Amen Corner on Sunday. "I'll be happy if we negotiate Amen Corner as well as he did."

Realistically though, it's Shelbourne who take to Finn Harps this evening on a wing and a prayer. Regardless of what their only remaining rivals achieve on the four game run in, Derry require only six points to assure themselves on the title.

That the next three (against Rovers tonight, St Patrick's on Saturday and Cork City next Tuesday, are at the Brandywell is perceived as something of a double edged sword. Healy reminded everyone on Saturday that Derry have only won once at home since Christmas.

The greater pressure on City to perform at the Brandywell is something we pointed out here some time ago. Indeed, it's worth noting that Derry have picked up 35 of their 60 points from their 16 away games.

While some clubs maintain that referees can be swayed by the Brandywell crowd, others have also claimed that they can be silenced quite easily and can become impatient as much with their own team as the officials.

Nevertheless, Derry have only played four games there since Christmas and it doesn't always follow this script. One recalls, for example, the first and second replays at the Brandywell in the Cup semi final trilogy with Bohemians two seasons ago, when near capacity crowds helped Derry toward the final.

Tonight's crowd will surely be in more keeping with that full throated support and are therefore more likely to act as an extra player, especially if word comes through of any blips on Shelbourne's horizon 27 miles away in Ballybofey.

Even allowing for Derry's recent home draw with Home Farm and defeat to Sligo, mentally as much as physically they have been the strongest team around this season. They have coped admirably with repeated big occasions', maintaining their form individually and collectively on a consistent basis in a way no other team has.

Undoubtedly, the Bosman ruling has benefited them more than anyone else, but Healy still used it shrewdly. His most pressing need was a centre half and a left sided player, so he snapped up Gavin Dykes and James Keddy. They have filled the gaps like missing pieces in a jigsaw, and the result has been just as complete.

Fortuitously freer of injuries than most, they have never lost their shape or balance for a moment this season. Healy is a pragmatist, who believes football is a game about people, and a game over complicated by coaches. He keeps the game simple, and never varies from 4-4-2.

Healy maintains that he learnt nothing from all the managers he ever played under, with the exception of Jim McLaughlin, and debate will rage in the pubs of Derry as to which was the better team, McLaughlin's 89 vintage or the current crop. Many will maintain that the former was a shade more inventive and adventurous, scoring 142 goals over 66 games in the 1988-89, and 1989-90 campaigns.

However, even his close friend and mentor, McLaughlin, would no doubt concede that Healy has built a team good enough to win the league on relatively smaller finances.