After a disappointing start to the season, where they lost three of their first four matches, including a 6-1 feat in Tallaght to Shamrock Rovers, Derry City have turned their season around.
The return to the Brandywell has seen the Canhdystripes fortunes change for the better, with ten goals scored over two games. A 5-0 win over Limerick was followed by a 5-1 win over Bray Wanderers.
The club also had five players called up for International duty, Jamie Dean McDonagh and Conor McDermott for Northern Ireland U-21’s while Ronan Curtis and the Hale brothers Rory and Ronan for the Republic of Ireland U-21’s.
Derry’s Assistant Manager Hugh Harkin said of the call-ups, “I am delighted for all the boys who have been on international duty this week. They have all worked so hard to get to were there at.”
“Working with these lads on a daily basis allows you to see the ability and determination to succeed and it can only augur well for them and Derry in the future.”
Harkin spoke about their start to the season, “On the team front we had a bit of a disruption to our pre-season preparations through different factors. With our pitch not being ready and our first number of games away it was never going to be easy, but we are now back home in the Brandywell and that will allow us the base to build from going forward.”
“We have played two games at home so far and the performances were good but we have a lot of work to do especially with such a young squand and hopefully we will begin to climb the table.”
Former Aston Villa midfielder Rory Hale returned to the League of Ireland last season with Galway United, but following their relegation Kenny Shiels swooped in. Both Rory and his brother Ronan made their debuts for the Republic of Ireland U-21’s in their 3-1 friendly victory over Iceland at the weekend.
Rory was thrilled with the way that game went, as both himself and Ronan scored in the game. He said, “It’s been a brilliant last two weeks for me and Ronan. Back at the Brandywell, firing the goals in and getting points on the board, it’s just what we needed after a poor start to the season.”
On making his debut for Ireland, “It was class to put on that jersey the other night, getting a goal 15 seconds in just topped it off. A rare goal for myself. It was a great experience and hopefully there’ll be plenty more.”
“Ronan on the other hand, I think he only had 3 touches in his 10 minutes and managed to get another one. He’s just deadly in front of goal.”
The young midfielder is enjoying his time back in the league saying, “I’m getting used to the league now and I’m enjoying it very much. Playing in front of big crowds every week, especially the Derry crowd at the Brandywell is brilliant.”
He’s also having fun playing alongside his brother and he feels they can only get better, “We’ve been linking up very well in training and it’s starting to show in the games now. Ronan is getting valuable experience, which he wouldn’t get playing U-23 football and I wish I had done it when I was his age. It can only get better for the both of us.”
They will be hoping to continue that great partnership this Friday evening when they face St Patrick’s Athletic at a rocking Brandywell.
Picture Credit: JPJPhotography
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