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Midfielder Ellis Chapman has warned his Derry City team-mates that they’ll need to produce a performance similar to the one that stunned CSKA Sofia if they are to keep tomorrow night’s Europa Conference League tie against HNK Rijeka alive.
Chapman faced the Croatians last year with Shelbourne and, while the Dubliners claimed a superb 2-1 away win in the first leg, they suffered a 3-1 defeat at Tolka Park and lost 4-3 on aggregate in the Europa League.
The 25-year-old knows Tiernan Lynch’s side will have to be at their best to ensure the second leg at the Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium remains in the balance.
“It’s a huge game for us and I was lucky enough to play against Rijeka last year for Shelbourne, so I know it’s going to be another tough test, there’s no doubt about that,” he insisted.
“Hopefully we can go over there and do all the basics, work extremely hard and try our absolute best to bring something back to the Brandywell, because as we saw the atmosphere the fans created against CSKA was brilliant.
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“So, yeah, if we can bring something back for them, we’ll be delighted with that.
“Rijeka are a tough side, they’ve got good players, but they’re like any team in Europe — no matter who you face, it’s always a tough test. However, if you go there and have a bit of luck on your side, which sometimes you need, then you never know what might happen. Regardless, our aim is to bring something home.
“It’s going to be another hot day, the climate will be extremely difficult, but if we stick to our game plan, get a bit of luck and work extremely hard, then hopefully we can bring something back.”
The Lincolnshire native has settled into life on Foyleside impressively, netting three goals in as many games since making the switch from Shelbourne, and he hopes to build on that strong start.
Chapman began his career as a defensive midfielder before moving to Sligo Rovers in 2024, where he was given the freedom to play further forward. The goals and assists followed, and while things didn’t go according to plan at Shels, he has no regrets and is focused solely on the future.
“Nothing against Shelbourne — it just didn’t work out, which happens in football — but I’m extremely happy to get going at Derry, and to get a few goals early on is amazing,” he explained.
“I’m absolutely loving it and it’s always nice to score goals so early in my Derry career, so yeah, I’m delighted.
“Funnily enough, before I joined Sligo, I was a defensive midfielder and didn’t have that licence to go forward, but then I started to score goals at Sligo and things changed. I didn’t get the goals I wanted last year, and I didn’t get much game time, which happens, but hopefully I’m back on that goalscoring run now. My aim is to keep it going.
“To be honest, having played a large part of my career in a defensive role, I know I’ll have to work hard both going forward and tracking back in European games.
“As I said earlier, Rijeka are a fantastic team, so we’re going to have to be right on it — work extremely hard off the ball and hopefully create a few chances, and more importantly, convert them.”
The former Cheltenham Town, Lincoln City and Oldham Athletic man netted a brace in City’s 3-0 Club Orange FAI Cup second-round win over Leinster Senior League side Tolka Rovers on Sunday, and he knows a cup run would be a major boost for everyone at the club.
“This cup is important, and having played in Ireland a few years now, I understand what it means, particularly to the fans,” he said.
“Everyone wants that big day out in the Aviva and to win the FAI Cup, and we’re no different.
“Look, against Tolka we had to be on it. Even though we were playing lesser opposition, you still have to show respect, and in the first half we did get a little bit lucky as they broke a few times. But we won the game, we’re in the next round, and that’s all that matters in any cup competition.”
