'We will be better off in 2024' - Derry captain McEleney

Derry City will be stronger and better in the new season, especially after coming through some difficult experiences in the past 12 months.

That is the view of captain Patrick McEleney, who is in no doubt that the squad will be stronger and fitter heading into the new season in just a few months’ time.

The Candystripes discovered that they will face a difficult start to the new season come February, starting with a home game against Drogheda United followed by a trip to the Sligo Showgrounds, where they lost twice last season. A weekend double header then followed with City set to face expected title challengers St. Patrick’s Athletic and Shamrock Rovers in the space of four days.

But McEleney, who himself is expected to be at full fitness after a successful operation on both his achilles tendons, believes the group will be stronger in the new campaign.

“You look at all the top teams in England and everywhere, there are top players out injured,” he said. “It just happens. We move quickly, and you are going to get these injuries with the intensity you play at and the speed you play at.

"But with a bit of luck, and we all stay together and stay fit, I’m sure we will be better off for it, there’s no doubt in my mind.”

“The new season will fly in. We’re coming back and the boys are still training hard. We’re in a group together and you still have to do your job in the off-season. The boys are working hard, but it does come around quickly enough and we’ll be all back together in the New Year; that’s the start of it and the heads get down and get at it.”

McEleney and Michel Duffy returned to the club to great fanfare two years ago, but both have struggled with problems since. McEleney hopes that hose problems are now behind everyone.

“We haven’t had much luck to be fair,” McEleney agreed. “In the first year coming back we won the FAI Cup, and we have played in all the European games and we have come second in the league twice. There are still things there to look back on and say “Jeepers, we weren’t 100% but we’ve still done things”, but it’s all in the past now. I feel good and Mickey feels good and I can’t wait now to the new season.

“There was obviously more than myself and Mickey. Look at Cameron Dummigan, he was up for Player of the Year the first year he was here, and then we miss him for a full year basically. Mark Connolly also had his problems and he was a big miss at the time. It happens in football, and especially now, with the way the game is, you’re going to pick up injuries.”

Excited

McEleney, who was part of a Derry City contingent of players who visited the Children’s Ward at Altnagelvin Hospital at the weekend, is hoping that the future is much more positive, with excitement now building ahead of another new campaign.

“Even leading into the final in the first year, I was hitting my stride and I was playing 90 minutes after 90 minutes and it felt as if everything was flowing.

"I came away and I couldn’t wait to get back into the new season, to chase the league title and chase cups and then it just comes crashing down, but that’s football.

"The best is still to come from me, but I always back myself anyway. If I stay injury free and get a run of games, I have no doubts in my ability in what I can do for the team.”