Blackburn Loanee, Jack Doyle proved to be the difference maker on Friday night against Waterford as he secured his first goal for the Candy Stripes and ensured a sixth consecutive win for high-flying Derry City. The win moves Kenny Shiels’ side into
Blackburn Loanee, Jack Doyle proved to be the difference maker on Friday night against Waterford as he secured his first goal for the Candy Stripes and ensured a sixth consecutive win for high-flying Derry City. The win moves Kenny Shiels’ side into fourth position, three points behind Waterford with a game in-hand. The Lone Moor Road outfit fell to a 2-1 defeat to The Blues in February and Doyle insisted there was pressure on Derry City to rectify the result. “It’s a massive result, like. You know, there was a bit of pressure on us this game, because they beat us last time, but we’re a different team now, we’re fitter and stronger and we’ve gelled together,” Doyle said. Waterford had numerous chances in the first half to snatch an early lead, but Derry’s gutsy first-half performance was rewarded in the second, as they took real charge in the second interval. “We’ve shown character tonight. First half wasn’t the best, on our behalf, but (in the) second half we got into their faces, we won the first and second balls and took our chances, but we should have had a few more at the end,” he said. Doyle jokingly admitted that he doesn’t usually get many opportunities inside the box, but was delighted nonetheless to get his first goal for the club and Derry’s 1500th since they joined the League of Ireland. “Yeah, I got a bit of a nosebleed getting (into the box), like, but no, I liked to get the first goal for the club, it’s a big thing, hopefully on Monday we can win again and kick on from there,” Doyle said. The full-back, who has proved effective to City’s counter-pressing play this season, has become a fan favourite for his sheer persistence and he believes there is still more to come. “I had injuries beforehand and now I am getting my full fitness back. I know myself there is still more to give, it’s just getting the games in and there will be more to come from me,” Doyle said Doyle confessed that Waterford, who had only lost this year to Champions, Cork and last years runners-up, Dundalk before Friday’s fixture, was by far the most resilient team the Foyelsiders’ have played at The Brandywell, but he insisted their focus had already turned to Monday nights game against Bohemians. “Yeah, they’re toughest (team we’ve played) so far, the lads dug in, but that’s gone now, our focus now; we’ve got to be ready for Monday against Bohs. “All our preparation is key and we’ll do the right stuff off the field and make sure we’re ready for Monday night."
