Winning games in Dublin will be key to Derry’s season, according to manager Declan Devine. The Candystripes made some capital gains on Friday, looking very assured in a 2-0 win over in-form UCD at Belfield. The Foylesiders scored goals in either half
Winning games in Dublin will be key to Derry’s season, according to manager Declan Devine.
The Candystripes made some capital gains on Friday, looking very assured in a 2-0 win over in-form UCD at Belfield. The Foylesiders scored goals in either half, both from corner kicks, through Greg Sloggett and Darren Cole.
Devine tells our reporter Peter Branigan that it was a very satisfying trip to the Bowl.
‘The pitch was very, very difficult tonight. It wasn’t conducive to free-flowing football.
‘It was a really big performance from us, in terms of winning games in different ways. That’s the first three points we’ve won in Dublin this year.
‘If we want to do anything this year, we have to continue to win in Dublin. We would have liked to have been a wee bit more creative, but ultimately the two set piece goals; we’ve asked the players to improve on that aspect of our game.
‘So it’s a huge three points for us.’
Combined with Sligo’s surprise win over defending champions Dundalk, the result moved Derry into the top three in the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division.
The goals came from a midfielder, Sloggett, and a defender, Cole, an aspect which particularly pleased Devine.
‘We’ve asked the players this year not to just be relying on our front three or four. We’ve set targets, and thankfully tonight, one of the defenders and one of the midfielders have chipped in.
‘They’ve got three or four of the real top players in the League. (Neil) Farrugia, (Gary) O’Neill, (Liam) Scales, all top notch. To win 2-0, and keep a clean sheet, we’re absolutely ecstatic.’
Indeed, the visitors frustrated Collie O’Neill’s usually plucky Students, who came into the game having scored eight goals in their previous three games.
Goalkeeper Peter Cherrie didn’t have a save to make all night, and while UCD had plenty of possession in the middle third, Derry made it nigh on impossible for them to create chances.
Devine says they’ll need more of the same to take something from Monday night’s trip to Richmond Park.
‘The next thing on our mind is making sure we’re ready to do that round trip to Dublin again on Monday.
‘When you look at our team, we’ve a lot of technical players. We’ve also got players that can dig in. We’ve gone to Cork and Bohs and got draws, and tonight we had players that worked extremely hard.’
The game also marked a milestone for Devine, as he managed the club he has supported since he was a boy for the 100th time.
But he said his mind was only on Monday night.
‘It is what it is. There’ll be no celebrating! I’m tremendously honoured and privileged to be in this position. It’s fantastic. I am a Derry fan.
‘But ultimately it’s not about myself or the backroom team. We’re pulling a new group of players together, and as you saw tonight they’re giving everything for the club.
‘The unity within the team is very pleasing for us. The bond between this new bunch of players, and what Derry City Football Club means to the community, and what it means to our fans, is something that has connected quite well for us.’
