FAI Cup final: Derry City 4 Shelbourne 0
DERRY City manager Ruaidhri Higgins was thrilled and over the moon after his side’s dominant display, which secured their sixth FAI Cup success.
Played in front of 32,412 supporters, the majority travelling down south from Foyleside and Higgins is excited to bring the famous old trophy back to the north west.
Goals from Jamie McGonigle, Cameron McJannet and Jordan McEneff sealed a memorable victory, as the Candystripes produced a stunning display, at the Aviva Stadium.
“It genuinely isn’t about me,” stated Higgins.
“The joy I get is seeing the satisfaction and pride on our supporters' faces. It’s been 10 years since we won this, which is too long for a club of this size. The players, to a man, the ones who played and the ones who didn’t, they are such a good group of people and they conduct themselves properly everywhere they go. It’s brilliant and I can’t speak highly enough of them.”
The Limavady man was also delighted by the display, which secured the biggest ever FAI Cup Final winning margin.
“It’s brilliant, an unbelievable day and the manner of our performance makes it extra special,” Higgins added.
“We’ve finished the season on a real, real high. You saw the numbers we brought down from Derry; I don’t know what the numbers were but we definitely had 15-20,000 anyway.
“They were right up in the top tier, packed out. They are amazing and they can really identify with this team and our players love playing for them. That connection, when it’s strong like it is at the minute, can be really special.”
Defender McJannet secured the man of the match prize, an accolade, which didn’t surprise his manager.
“He’s not unlikely, because he’s aggressive, he can head it and he’s quick across the ground and he’s brave,” he explained
“He got into the box for his first goal which is brilliant and Rennie (Alan Reynolds) worked on a corner over the last couple of days about getting him free around the back and it’s worked and it’s fantastic when that happens.”
“It was an outstanding performance and it was probably one of the best performances of the
season,” he concluded.
“The players were exceptional in the first half, they had real control and they deserve all the praise in the world. We were very threatening in the first half and we managed the game brilliantly in the second half. They are a breath of fresh air to work with on a daily basis.
“We were really threatening and I think the big grass pitch suited us. There were big spaces
everywhere and to be fair our front three were really quick and dangerous. Sometimes you get it right and sometimes you get it wrong and as staff, I think we got it right today.”
