PRICE IS RIGHT FOR McGONIGLE
JAMIE McGonigle is playing like a man who doesn’t feel the pressure of a big transfer fee on his shoulders.
That’s because the recent Derry City recruit, who joined from Crusaders, simply isn’t feeling it.
“I don’t really think about things like that,” said the 25-year-old, who can operate on the wing or as a striker.
“It was similar to my last transfer, having a fee involved, but my only priority was to try and get fit having come straight into a mid-season from an offseason.”
McGonigle had moved from Coleraine to Crusaders for an Irish League transfer record worth at least € 70,000.
Despite interest from other clubs, including Larne and Coleraine, the Dungiven man wanted to play for the club that he supported growing up.
He had briefly played alongside Candystripes manager Ruaidhri Higgins at Coleraine six years ago.
Plans
Having spoken to Higgins about Derry’s future plans, he was happy to sign a three-and-a-half year deal in a move reportedly worth just over €40,000.
“Going into the Brandywell, with that atmosphere, I’d always sit there watching and think, ‘I’d love to play here some day’ — and thankfully that has happened,” he smiled.
“When a club like Derry City is in for you and you hear about plans moving forward, it’s only right that I sign a longterm deal.
“There’s some security there, yes, but it’s also an opportunity to be part of something at the Brandywell. “With the plans the club has, it’s exciting.
“A couple of big names incoming definitely adds to that and personally I’m looking forward to seeing what the future brings.
“I p layed with Ruaidhri in 2015. I find him similar now to how he was then — professional, a good talker, always wanting to win and demanding t he most out of t he people around him.
“He had a brilliant playing career and has built up a lot of experience over the years.”
McGonigle has hit the ground running. His four goals in 10 games have helped the club improve from seventh to fourth in the race for European qualification. He also scored his 100th senior goal recently in the 3-2 defeat at Bohs.
His early hit rate for Derry is in keeping with his career stats – the former Northern Ireland under-21 international has scored around a goal every three games at senior level.
Ratio
“Yeah, a good chunk of those appearances have been in a wide position so I’d be pleased with that ratio,” he said.
“Definitely it’s important to start off fast as a striker — and no better way than to hit the net.
“The main difference is the League of Ireland seems to be a lot more tactical in terms of how you set up without the ball and all teams seem to want to play out from the back.
“I’d have liked to have a couple more goals to that tally, although overall, in terms of being in a new team and new league, then I should be happy enough with my start.”
He was injured when Derry last played tonight’s opponents St Pat’s but McGonigle’s presence could make a difference at the Brandywell.
“It’s crazy how tight the league is,” he said. “But in terms of Europe, we won’t be looking too far ahead.
“There’s a few massive games for us coming up so we’ll try to look after ourselves and see where that takes us.”