Derry City received a major boost as striker Colm Whelan marked his return with a goal.
The 23-year-old front man, who has been out for a year, scored a stunning goal and set-up Sean Patton in City’s U20′s 2-2 encounter at Finn Harps, on Saturday.
Whelan, who suffered a second ACL injury last May during Derry’s home loss to Shamrock Rovers, played 40 minutes in the weekend’s clash at Ballybofey and will be pushing for a place back into the Foylesiders first team squad in the coming weeks after the mid-season break.
On the pitch boss Ruaidhrí Higgins was delighted that the Candystripes secured a deserved 2-0 win over Galway United, on Friday night.
The victory thanks to second half goals from Will Patching and Pat Hoban was Derry’s eighth at the Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium this season.
“It was a good performance and it has been a good week actually, as we took seven points from nine, so that’s a good return,” stated Higgins.
“I felt both our goals were outstanding, they were really, really impressive goals. Our play was superb and we caused them problems all night.
“In the second half down our left side we caused them loads of problems and the first goal came from that combination play between Ben (Doherty) and Michael (Duffy) to set-up Will (Patching) and then the second goal was really good. It was a big switch from (Cameron) Dummigan to Daniel Kelly, who did great to keep it in and then his cross set up Pat (Hoban), who did brilliantly to get across his man to put it home.
“So between Monday and Friday scoring goals at home to Waterford and Galway United and creating opportunities, I’m sure it gave our supporters happiness and a bit of belief as well.” The Limavady man felt their win over John Caulfield’s side was more pleasing than their victory over Waterford.
“It was a more satisfying win tonight (Friday), because the game was over at half-time against Waterford, while the game was very much in the balance against Galway,” stated Higgins.
“We stuck with it and we kept doing what we wanted to do and eventually we broke them down. It was a brilliant finish from Will for the first goal, he opened his foot up and placed the ball up into the far top corner, so it was a great goal.
“Listen, I’m pleased and proud of the players for what they’ve put into the game. “Everyone looks for consistency and continuity and I certainly do and to be fair from Monday, (Sadou) Diallo for Patrick (McEleney) was our only change and you could probably see it in our play.
“It was important to get back to winning ways, we drew with Dundalk and we were all disappointed with that but since that we’ve won two games and won them well. We’ve had really positive performances and kept clean-sheets against Waterford and Galway.
“But listen I’m happy with the week’s work and now we have to go down to Dublin just before the break on Thursday night and try to win the game at Bohemians.”
The Derry gaffer also paid his respect to Linfield FC after the sudden death of the club’s physiotherapist Paul Butler.
“Symptoms to Linfield football club after the lost of their physio Paul Butler,” he added. “It’s tragic and very, very sad and my thoughts is to him and his family and everyone associated with Linfield football club.”