Lynch reflects on "progressive" season after Derry secure European spot

Derry City secured a hard-fought 1–0 victory against Cork City on the banks of the River Lee to guarantee a second-place finish in the final round of the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division on Saturday evening.

Michael Duffy’s twelfth league goal of the season in the thirty-second minute was enough for the Candystripes to leave Turner’s Cross with all three points and confirm their place in next season’s European qualification stages. Duffy also notched an impressive eleven assists throughout the campaign.

Cork City had already been relegated long before Saturday’s encounter and appeared to have one eye on next week’s FAI Cup final against league champions Shamrock Rovers. The Rebels now face into another long winter and the prospect of First Division football once more, marking their third relegation in six seasons.

However, should they pull off a shock victory over the Hoops at the Aviva Stadium on Lansdowne Road next Sunday, they would remarkably secure a place in the Europa League’s second qualifying round next summer.

If Cork fail to lift the cup, Derry will claim the Europa League spot instead, with fourth-placed Bohemians set to enter the Europa Conference League first qualifying round.

The Foylesiders sealed their place in Europe next season after last weekend’s impressive 2–1 victory over newly crowned champions Shamrock Rovers at the Brandywell. That result briefly ignited hopes of an unlikely late title charge, but Rovers went on to clinch their fifth title in six years with a midweek win against Galway United.

Despite Cork’s relegation being long confirmed, Lynch and his side were fully aware of the challenge awaiting them on Leeside. The Rebels, buoyed by the prospect of silverware and a potential European place through the FAI Cup, had plenty still to play for.

“It was a hard-fought three points, which we knew it was going to be,” said Lynch. “There was a lot of talk about Cork being in a cup final next week, but we expected them to put a strong team out in preparation for that.” 

Sam Todd holds off Cork City's Sean Maguire.

“There were always going to be players looking to stake a claim for a place in the starting eleven next Sunday, so it turned out to be an extremely hard-fought 90 minutes for us.”

Lynch reflected on his first season in charge of the Candystripes, having taken over from Ruaidhrí Higgins, who departed last year after four seasons at the Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium.

Despite a marked improvement on last season’s fourth-place finish, he acknowledged the time needed to shape a side capable of consistently challenging Shamrock Rovers at the top of the table and competing for honours.

“The objective for this football club has to always be to win trophies and lift silverware. That wasn’t the case this year,” Lynch said. “We’re delighted to have secured European football in our first season. There were a lot of learning curves for us. It was a progressive season rather than a successful one. It’s up to us now to reflect and come back stronger in January.”

“There were a lot of good performances as the season went on,” he added. “We knew there was always going to be an element of time that needed to go into this. You don’t just put a team together that’s going to be successful overnight; it’s not a flick of a switch.

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Duffy goal ensures Derry City end season on a high

Derry secure second place and European football next summer

“These things take time. You get things right, and you get things wrong, but what’s important is to progress from it and learn from your mistakes.”

The Derry boss was full of praise and was keen to emphasise his gratitude for the backing of the club’s loyal supporters throughout, acknowledging the influence they’ve had during the campaign. He is now looking ahead with excitement to the prospect of a European football adventure next season.

“Last week at the Brandywell against Rovers, the place was absolutely utterly swaying, it was rocking,” Lynch said. “To come down here tonight, the distance they’ve travelled and the numbers they came in, it’s incredible. I’m delighted we’ve secured European football for next season, and I’m delighted for everyone involved with the club.”