Derry City's Ciaron Harkin has urged his teammates to continue their fine form into Friday's game against Cork City at Turner's Cross. The 23-year-old, who is better known as 'Jackie' locally, signed a new and improved three-year contract with the c
Derry City's Ciaron Harkin has urged his teammates to continue their fine form into Friday's game against Cork City at Turner's Cross.
The 23-year-old, who is better known as 'Jackie' locally, signed a new and improved three-year contract with the club last week and he repaid the faith shown in his raw talent with a superb 20-yard strike against Waterford on Monday night.
Making an impressive start the to the season, the former Coleraine youngster called on his associates to now improve their away performances following City's 2-0 defeat to Shamrock Rovers last Friday.
"Shamrock Rovers didn't go to plan, we let ourselves down there and we need to do better going forward," Harkin said.
"On the ball, that's our strength, and we let ourselves down, we didn't play at all that night.
"But as you can see tonight, and in the first game (against UCD), with the help of the home support, when we work hard we can get the three points on the board and get as many wins as possible.
"That's what we will be looking to do when we travel to Cork on Friday night."
The Foylersiders' record at Turners Cross in recent seasons is not something to be admired, failing to win in their previous nine outings, their last win coming under Declan Devine's first tenure in 2013.
"We are going there to hopefully change that now," Harkin added. "Bit of confidence and we can go and get at them and get another win under our belt."
For Harkin, the transition from Northern Irish Premiership to the Irish Premier Division has proved a treat, being massively influential in all three of Derry's league games.
"It's not easy but I am not doing to bad at the minute," Harkin joked. "I didn't think it would be like this considering the hard start that we've had, but the boys are all working hard, doing their jobs, and getting the job done."
Securing his first goal for the Candystripes since his return to the club was a beaming moment for the local man, the emotion clear following his stunning effort.
"You can see with the celebration how much that goal means to me," he said.
"Celebrating in the Brandywell with the team that I support, playing for the team I support and scoring my first goal for the team I support and hopefully there is plenty more to come."
Harkin also issued his teammates with another post-match challenge, insisting the Brandywell should be a difficult place for any team to come this season.
"No one should be able to come to your home place and let other teams run over the top of them, so we will be looking to make this place as hard as possible and get as many three points on the board when we play anybody here.
"It doesn't matter if they are in the top half or the bottom half," he added.
"(We need to) work as hard as we can to get as many points on the board."
