SSE Airtricity League Premier Division
Cork City v Derry City (Friday, 7.45pm)
FORMER Cliftonville manager Paddy McLaughlin admits he couldn't turn down Derry City for a second time.
The 43-year-old, who stepped down as the Reds boss, was officially announced as Ruaidhrí Higgins' assistant manager on Thursday and he's looking forward to this evening's encounter at Cork City.
McLaughlin, who two years ago snubbed the chance to become Higgins' number two, was quick to point out that deciding to leave Solitude was a big decision for him, but was made easier when he saw Derry's plans for the future.
"There are massive things on the horizon for them and to get the opportunity to be part of that and hopefully add to that along with Ruaidhrí and all the staff, is exciting," he explained.
"He has great staff and I met them all this week, a few of them I know through my time in football. Ruaidhrí has got everything in place that he needs and the club has everything in place that we'll need as a group to be successful.
"The ambition and the opportunity that they have to become the top side in the league was another reason why I can't wait to get started.
"It was a big decision and it was a tough decision, but it was also an easy decision to make in the same breath.
"It was tough leaving Cliftonville, because they were good to me for the last four and a half years, the supporters up there were fantastic. I was really close to the players and what they did for me on the pitch and in every session over the last couple of years was great and it was hard for me to tell them on Monday night that I was leaving and I was no longer their manager.
"That was the difficult part of it and once that was done, the easy part then was accepting the offer that Ruaidhrí had made for me."
Going into this evening's clash at Turner's Cross, the Candystripes have injury concerns over Patrick McEleney, Jamie McGonigle and Ryan Graydon.
Elsewhere on Friday in the Premier Division, champions Shamrock Rovers travel to in-form St Patrick's Athletic; leaders Bohemians make the trip to Drogheda United and Damien Duff's Shelbourne host Dundalk, in front of the RTE cameras. Tomorrow evening, Sligo Rovers entertain bottom side UCD.
