Derry Daily
  • News
  • Entertainment
  • Sport
  • Features
  • Courts
  • Business
  • Health
  • Politics
  • Jobs
Thursday 13°CFriday 13°C

Derry Daily Derry Daily Derry Daily

  • News
  • Entertainment
  • Sport
  • Features
  • Courts
  • Business
  • Health
  • Politics
  • Jobs
Derry CityDerry City FCSoccerSport

Devine hails European qualification but says Derry can’t ‘chase a dream’

written by Chris McNulty October 26, 2019
ShareTweet

AFTER SEALING qualification to next season’s Europa League, Derry City manager Declan Devine insists that the Candystripes won’t ‘get carried away chasing a dream’.

By Chris McNulty at the Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium

City’s 4-0 win over Finn Harps last night at the Brandywell clinched a European spot for next summer.

Junior Ogedi-Uzokwe’s hat-trick saw Derry sign off on the 2019 season in style as they clinched fourth spot in the table.

“This is about the whole working environment in the football club,” Devine said.

“This place is like a well-oiled machine this year and everyone is pulling in the one direction. The positivity has been magnificent.”

City finished 29 points off the champions, Dundalk, and there is an 18-point gap to second-placed Shamrock Rovers.

Devine said: “We won’t get carried away chasing a dream.

“Dundalk and Shamrock Rovers are miles ahead of us. Miles ahead. We have to understand that. We want to catch them, maybe not next year, but we want to improve and get better.

“Slowly but surely if we keep chipping away, keeping showing the appetite and get the players in then who knows?”

Devine came back for a second spell as Derry manager at the end of last season. The Creggan man took his charges for a short pre-season trip to the Isle of Man and had only a dozen senior players signed up at that stage.

However, some astute moves – including the loan signings of Golden Boot winner Ogedi-Uzokwe and David Parkhouse – in the transfer market saw Derry improve significantly on last year’s eighth-placed finish.

Devine said: “We were in the Isle of Man with 12 players and brought some youths with us. The rest were kids.

“The players who came in understood that we had to show respect. We had to show respect for each other and show respect for this stadium.

“Everyone here is pulling in the one direction now. Everyone is really determined to drag this club back to the status it has had and can have.”

Devine acknowledged that qualification for the Europa League eases a burden on club Chairman Philip O’Doherty.

Accounts for the year ending November 2017 show that O’Doherty donated some €226,000 to help the club appear profitable, having lost £35,000 in the previous year.

Engineering boss O’Doherty has been Chairman since late 2009 and pours significant funds into the club each year.

Devine said:  “European qualification is brilliant.

“It means that the Chairman doesn’t have to put in as much money. That’s the bottom line.

“The Chairman has been a huge supporter of this football club for a long, long time. The effort and energy behind the scenes is every bit as important as it is on it.

“Without the Chairman, there is no Derry City. The man has pushed this place on and he gets no thanks. Without Philip O’Doherty, there is no Derry City.”

Devine hails European qualification but says Derry can’t ‘chase a dream’ was last modified: October 31st, 2019 by Chris McNulty

Tags:
2019 League of Ireland Premier DivisionDeclan DevineDerryeuropa leagueFinn HarpsJunior Ogedi-UzokwePHILIP O'DOHERTY
ShareTweet
Chris McNulty

Sports writer from St Johnston, now based in Letterkenny, with ten years' experience covering sport in Donegal. Was a nominee for NUJ Sports Journalist of the Year in 2010. Honoured by the Donegal Boxing Board in 2016 for his coverage on the sport.

LEAVE A COMMENT

You may also like

Major investment in Capital Projects approved by...

14 hours ago

Mayor looking forward to All Ireland Pipe-Band...

14 hours ago

Durkan calls for urgent traffic calming measures...

20 hours ago

Harkin: Stormont Executive must act now to...

21 hours ago

Harkin: MPs must vote down punitive welfare...

2 days ago

Mayor welcomes first cohort of Medical School...

2 days ago

Eastwood to oppose British Government’s disability cuts

2 days ago

Mayor announces charities of the year and...

2 days ago

Two males arrested over vehicle crime incidents...

2 days ago

Former Derry coach Rory Gallagher launches High...

2 days ago

Keep in touch

Facebook Twitter Email

Features

  • Sun, sea, spectacular views, historical charm and fabulous food. Tunisia of course

    April 5, 2024
  • Magical trip to see Santa from Belfast

    December 20, 2023
  • DD Travel Feature: Cork’s amazing The Montenotte Hotel

    April 18, 2023
  • Derry cancer survivor Noeleen McMorris reveals importance of awareness

    July 25, 2022
  • Competition! Win tickets to Northern Ireland v England Women’s Euro 2022 match

    June 17, 2022

Courts

  • Former Derry coach Rory Gallagher launches High Court action against GAA

    July 1, 2025
  • Derry man jailed over house burglary offences

    June 26, 2025
  • Woman charged to Derry court over shop robbery

    June 25, 2025
  • Killer Hazel Stewart loses appeal over ‘cruel’ double Co Derry murders

    June 25, 2025
  • Dosey Derry rally fan to donate €275 to hospice after THIRD street sleep

    June 25, 2025

Donegal Daily

    Read More

    • News
    • Sport
    • Courts
    • Jobs
    • Features
    • Business
    • Politics

    Information

    • Contact Us
    • About
    • Advertise WIth Us
    • Privacy Policy
    • Disclaimer
    • Terms & Conditions
    Derry Daily

    © 2025 Derry Daily. All rights reserved.


    Back To Top

    We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.OkPrivacy policy