HIGGINS FEELS SO PRIVILEGED
RUAIDHRI HIGGINS says glory as a manager would mean so much more than as a player, because his new role is an emotional rollercoaster.
The Derry City boss is just 90 minutes away from reaching the Aviva Stadium with his hometown club, with First Division Treaty United standing in their way.
Higgins won the FAI Cup twice with Derry, but admitted that he would swap all his honours as a player for a Blue Riband win this November.
Why?
“There is more responsibility, it’s on you,” he replied. “You win games, you get praised, you lose games, it’s on you.
“Trust me, it means a lot more. It’s probably the responsibility of it.
“I am privileged and proud and very honoured to manage this club. Nothing would make you prouder than winning a major trophy with the club.”
Being a manager means your mind is on the job 24/7, unlike a player, who can switch off from the end of one training session to the beginning of the next.
In times of crisis, as Higgins experienced earlier this year, the strain can be even greater.
Tests
“It’s relentless,” he said. “We went through a month of May that I hope we never experience again. It was horrible. But it’s been a good thing, I think.
“There have been loads of tests in the opening 18 months since I’ve been here, but May was tough.
“But we have come out of it in the right way and we are playing well and we are doing well and we are getting results.”
Derry went into May having beaten UCD 7-1 and St Pat’s 4-0.
But as they turned the page on the calendar, results quickly went downhill.
There were draws against Bohemians and St Pat’s, defeats to Shamrock Rovers, Dundalk and Sligo Rovers, and they ended the month with a 2-2 draw against Finn Harps.
“Alan Reynolds by my side has so much experience,” Higgins said.
“In that month of May, where maybe you are questioning yourself or doubting yourself to a certain extent, then his experience and his personality was brilliant for me in that period.
“I can’t thank him enough. He has been exceptional here, as have all the staff and all the players.
“It’s a great place to be at the minute. But we need to just stay grounded and try to win our next game.”
He added: “It’s tough. There is no getting away from it. You don’t want to leave the house.
“Because I live in the city I can’t get away from it. There is one club in the city and the people here are so passionate about their club.
“It’s horrible. You need good people around you and I certainly had that.
“We had a tough May but we recovered exceptionally well and hopefully we will keep this run going.”
Harder
They made harder work of Sunday’s FAI Cup quarter-final win over Shamrock Rovers than was necessary.
Already 1-0 up, they won a penalty and gained an extra man as Hoops centre-half Lee Grace was sent off.
But Will Patching missed from the spot and Rovers’ second-half equaliser took the game to extra-time, before Derry won out.
Goals from Daniel Lafferty and Brandon Kavanagh sent the Candystripes through to the semi-finals.
Former Rovers man Kavanagh was delighted to find the net after a spell on the sidelines.
He said: “It’s tough. As a footballer everyone goes through their periods. When the team is winning you can’t expect anything to change.
“So for me it was just waiting for my chance to come on and just go and produce something. Thankfully I did.
“There is no better noise than hearing the ball hit the back of the net and seeing the whole stadium light up.”
Kavanagh paid tribute to Higgins, saying: “He’s brilliant. His expectations of the players are fantastic. Everyone works so hard for him.
“He is so passionate about the club. Everyone absolutely loves him here and we are no different, we work as hard as we can for him.
“When you work hard, these are the moments, these are the games you want to play in.”