Colm Whelan makes goal-scoring return to action for Derry City
The striker, who has played just three times in two years due to successive ACL injuries, played just under 40 minutes of the U20 league game against Finn Harps in Ballybofey
Colm Whelan made a goal-scoring return to action for Derry City at the weekend as his return to the first team took a step closer.
The striker, who has played just three times in two years due to successive ACL injuries, played just under 40 minutes of the U20 league game against Finn Harps in Ballybofey on Saturday afternoon.
The 23-year-old opened the scoring with a brilliant finish from outside the penalty area, a bullet drive which dipped over the goalkeeper and hit the underside of the crossbar on its way into the net. He followed that up with a brilliant through ball to strike partner Sean Patton, who doubled the lead for the Candystripes. Whelan was substituted before half time and the game went on to finish 2-2 with Harps mounting a second half comeback. But it was a big step nonetheless for the striker, who last played with the first team 13 months ago.
Whelan’s return was more good news at the end of a brilliant week for Ruaidhri Higgins, who saw his team impress again in the 2-0 win over Galway United at the Brandywell. Goals from Will Patching and Pat Hoban took the Candystripes to their 10th league win of the campaign and kept them right on the heels of leaders Shelbourne heading into this week’s game against Bohemians at Dalymount Park.
“I think overall we've created more opportunities in that game than what we've done in the previous two games together against Galway,” Higgins said. “We've created a lot more opportunities and we broke their structure down better and although we went in 0-0 at half time but we had three or four really good chances to go in front and we never capitalised on it. It was a good performance and it's a good week actually, it's seven points from nine so it's a good return.”
Derry City have kept three clean sheets in succession for the first time this season, but it was the quality of the City goals which impressed the manager the most.
“Outstanding goals, really, really impressive goals,” he said. “In the second half particularly we caused loads of problems and the goal comes from that combination play between Ben (Doherty) and Michael (Duffy).
“The second goal is really good; I think it's a big switch from Dummigan to Daniel Kelly who does great to keep it in and he assists for Pat who gets a brilliant goal getting across his man and putting it away. Two really good goals and between Monday and Friday, scoring goals at home and creating opportunities I'm sure it will give our supporters happiness and a bit of belief as well.”
The win meant that Derry City overcame both Waterford and Galway at the Brandywell in just a matter of days, and it was the contrasting nature of Friday’s win over the best defence in the league which left Higgins most satisfied.
“The game was over at half-time on Monday, whereas this game was very much in the balance at half-time,” he explained. “We stuck with it and we kept doing what we wanted to do and eventually we broke them down. I think it's a brilliant finish as well for the first one from Will and he's opened his foot up and put it into the far top corner so it's a great goal. I'm just really pleased and proud of the players and what they put into the game.”
Home improvement
The win over Galway United takes Derry City’s home record to eight wins in 12 games this season, just one off their entire total of home wins last season.
“It’s really important and I think for us to be successful and to achieve anything this place needs to be the way it is at the minute and we need to keep that going,2 Higgins acknowledged.
“The players deserve all the credit. They've put a lot into the week and they've got a good points return so I’m delighted for them.”
“We've probably done better this season with the Friday, Monday, Fridays which is pleasing. The players deserve credit. They're recovering properly between games, they're looking after themselves and I think we're coming into a bit of form now. There's a bit of cohesion and continuity in the team which is great and hopefully we can continue that.”
Meanwhile, Higgins offered his condolences to Linfield and the family of club physiotherapist Paul Butler, who tragically died towards the end of last week.
“My sympathies to Linfield and all the people at Linfield losing their physio Paul,” he added. “It's tragic and it's very, very sad and thoughts to him and his family and everyone associated with Linfield Football Club.”