DERRY City’s route to playing in Europe next season - and the cash windfall that it brings - will now depend solely on their fortunes during the rest of the League of Ireland Premier Division campaign.
The Candystripes’ other possible avenue to overseas action was halted on Friday when they were knocked out of the FAI Cup, going down 1-0 to north-west rivals Finn Harps in a second round clash in Ballybofey.
It was City’s first ever defeat against the Donegal team in this competition.
This was a major disappointment to the Brandywell outfit, who last won the trophy in 2012, having thumped Harps 4-0 on the way to their final success over St Patrick’s Athletic.
But Ruairdhrí Higgins’ worst fears were realised as Harps deservedly came out on top this time around.
“I think it is the best squad of players Harps have had since I came into the league (as a player) in 2004. They are on a great run and credit to them,” he said,
“We are disappointed,” the Derry boss continued.
“I can’t be too critical of the players because we have been on a good run, but we need to use this hurt that we are feeling as ammunition to drive us on for the rest of the season,” he declared.
“We huffed and puffed and created a few half chances after the goal but it wasn’t to be and we have to dust ourselves down and move on.”
The cup defeat marked the end of a five game unbeaten run in all competitions for the Brandywell outfit.
City are fourth in the Premier Division, and are just a point behind Sligo, but they have played two games more. Their next match in the league now takes on added importance. They are away on Friday to fifth placed Bohemians, who have played three fewer games, and who are three points adrift.
Meanwhile, Finn Harps have suddenly hit a purple patch and could well give it a real go in this year’s FAI Cup.
This was Harps’ fifth win on the trot (three in the league and two in the cup) and there was a cracking atmosphere despite a capped attendance of 800.
With manager Ollie Horgan serving a one-match touchline ban, it was assistant manager Paul Hegarty who faced the assembled media afterwards.
And not surprisingly, he was buzzing.
“It was a fantastic result, it’s all about staying in the cup and we knuckled down and are playing with a bit of confidence,” he said.
“We have a wee bit of belief in one another. There’s not a lot between all the teams (in the premier division) and it’s a wee break of a ball here and there,” he noted.
Tunde Owolabi’s match-winning 73rd minute penalty against Derry was actually the first goal that Harps have ever scored against City in the FAI Cup. The week before Owolabi bagged a hat-trick in the 3-1 win over St Patrick’s Athletic.
But Hegarty was quick to point out the strength and depth in the squad.
“We made four changes from last week, and whoever has come in has done their job," he said.
Harps are still battling to try and avoid finishing in the relegation play-off spot in the Premier Division - and that has to be the priority..
Harps’ sole FAI Cup title success was back in 1974.
But, on current form, nobody will want to face them in the cup.
Indeed last season they lost 3-2 to Shamrock Rovers at the quarter-final stage in Ballybofey, having led 2-0.
For the record, this is the time that Harps have recorded a cup and Premier Division success over Derry in the one season, having notched up a historic first league win at the Brandywell back in May.
Meanwhile, Harps went into the game against Derry at 20/1 to win the FAI Cup. Yesterday, the odds had been slashed to 11/1.
