Derry City Women are once again on the hunt for a new boss as Ryan McConville stepped down after seven games

Derry City For the second time this season, the women began searching for a new coach after parting ways with Ryan McConville.

Appointed at the Brandywell in mid-May after previous boss Kevin McLoughlin left the club just days before the start of the season, McConville lasted just seven games and the club said there was “no clear path to sustained improvement”.

Derry drew their first two matches under McConville but picked up another point and he leaves after 7-0 defeats to Cliftonville Ladies and Linfield Ladies in their last two games.

A statement from the club read: “Derry City Football Club can confirm the departure of Ryan McConville, Women’s First Team Manager, from the club.

“The results did not live up to the club’s expectations. With no clear path to sustainable improvement, the newly revamped DCFCW committee, after much consideration, decided that change was needed to steer the club in a new direction.”

A flurry of new signings brought in just before the transfer window closed last month gave Derry optimism, but after just three games and without a goal, McConville was done with the club after just four months in charge.

The club is yet to announce who will be in the dugout for tonight’s home clash with Mid Ulster Ladies. Under-19 coach Josh Boyle took over as caretaker manager at the start of the season before McConville was appointed and is expected to do so again.

Mid Ulster will now be looking to take advantage of facing a team who appear to be in disarray.

Derry are yet to record a win this season and have indeed only won three League matches in the last three seasons, something McConville has been unable to rectify.

At the top of the table, leaders Cliftonville will be looking to extend their 100% start to the season to 12 games when they take on Lisburn Ladies in Solitude.

As well as boasting this remarkable winning run, the Reds have conceded just three goals in the league, with only one of those coming at Solitude.

Second-placed Glentoran Women, who are eight points adrift with a game in hand, travel to face a Crusaders Strikers side who have been in good form with three wins in a row and the win is vital for the Glens ahead of a huge top-table meeting with Cliftonville next Monday.

With just two rounds left in the division, Sion Swifts Ladies v Linfield Ladies is a big game with the teams level on points as they battle for a place in the top four.

Although Sion Swifts have a game in hand, this outstanding match will be played in Cliftonville.

LIGHTS (7:45 p.m. unless noted): Cliftonville Ladies v Lisburn Ladies, Crusaders Strikers v Glentoran (8pm), Derry City v Mid Ulster Ladies, Sion Swifts v Linfield Ladies.