There is a kick in the Derry air as Candystripes look the part
A KEY for any successful club is the ability to chisel out wins in tight games while coping with a poor pitch.
Derry City did just that on Friday night, as they subdued Shelbourne 1-0 with a winner deep into the second half on a Tolka Park surface that was far from carpet-like.
Patrick McEleney’s 73rd minute strike ensured a deserved win for the Candystripes and extended their unbeaten start to the season – just what manager Ruaidhrí Higgins ordered.
With UCD and Drogheda United up for the next round of Friday-Monday matches, Derry City could find themselves sitting pretty on St Patrick’s Day.
Not that Higgins is looking that far ahead. He’s keeping himself and his players grounded while acknowledging what has been a very decent start.
‘Shamrock Rovers are the benchmark, in terms of squad depth and quality they are miles ahead of every club in Ireland, absolutely miles ahead.
‘They have set the standards. and it’s up to the rest to catch up.
‘We went to Dundalk, played (Shamrock) Rovers, Sligo and came here (Tolka Park) to Shels.
‘The fixtures haven’t been kind to us at the start of the season so eight points from four games gone is a really good return but that’s all it is.
‘We remain focused, we double down on our efforts, and we move on.’
‘We have to go to UCD next Friday, and we’ve a quick turnaround with Drogheda. We need to try and keep putting points on the board.’
While it’s early days, Derry are in a good place and with wing-wizard Michael Duffy to return, probably next weekend, they will soon carry an extra attacking threat.
The 25-year gap between league triumphs could yet be bridged even if no one is thinking that at the minute, certainly not Higgins.