Derry City vs Galway United preview: Drawing the line
Conor McDermott believes tomorrow’s game with Galway is a must win ahead of the League of Ireland mid-season break.
The 19-year-old defender has impressed after last year’s breakthrough season, but he feels there is still a lot more to give.
Bray Wanderers’ 2-0 defeat to Shamrock Rovers on Tuesday night now means the ‘Candy Stripes’ have the upper hand on the Seagulls, who are two points above them in third but have played one game more.
Tomorrow night’s fixture will be the last before a two week break from league action, but there will be no rest for McDermott who will be part of the Northern Ireland U21 squad jetting off to Estonia on Sunday ahead of their opening European qualifier on June 8.
TIME FOR THREE
After Friday’s game with Drogheda finished 0-0, Kenny Shiels’ squad have now gone unbeaten in nine, but with seven of those games finishing in draws McDermott says the priority is to turn one point into three.
“We’re obviously pleased that we’ve been more solid at the back but it’s just about trying to convert our chances more now because we want to keep pushing up the table and that means getting wins,” he insisted.
“Our target is to keep climbing because we want to secure a position amongst the European spots and then see where we go from there. It’s good to have an unbeaten run but we definitely need to start picking up more three points.”
The ‘Candy Stripes’ have managed four clean sheets in their last six games – a turnaround from the form of April when they conceded 12 goals in six games. McDermott admitted that it was pleasing to have that record after a difficult period.
“I think when you’re coming away with clean sheets it does give you that confidence the next time that you’re on the pitch,” admitted the 19-year-old.
“As a defender you always want to be getting those but at the same time the first thing you’re looking at is getting a win. Hopefully as defenders we can chip in with a few more goals. We’ve already notched a couple but I think we have to be willing to take on that responsibility as well to help the team progress.”
The local player has proven his versatility this season, switching between his more natural full-back role and a centre-half partnership as part of a back three with Aaron Barry and Dean Jarvis. For him, it’s all about helping the team.
“It’s all experience for me and I’ve learned more and more with each passing game, which is a big boost. At the end of the day, right-back is my main position and it’s where I want to be playing week in week out, but with the squad that we have at the minute it’s a bit of a needs must situation,” McDermott told the Derry News.
“I just want to keep my head down and get on with it. It’s been going well for me and I’ve actually been enjoying it too. The main focus is on doing whatever it takes to help the team pick up wins.”
City will return to action with three massive league games against Bray, Cork and Finn Harps, and with FAI Cup and Europa League games coming up fast McDermott insisted it is vital that City carry a win into the break so that they enter the busy summer period with momentum.
“You don’t want to be going into the break on the back of a loss. Getting that victory gives you a real confidence boost before those two weeks and for us it would be a case of getting back to winning ways and maybe even pushing up the table a bit, which would be fantastic.”
He continued: “Looking at Galway there is a sense for us that we owe them one. They beat us in the League Cup earlier in the season and that really hurt us. We have an opportunity to put things right. Even last year we dropped a fair few points against them so there’s a point to prove tomorrow.”
His performances in the first half of the season have earned McDermott another call for the Northern Ireland U21 squad and while it means the 19-year-old will not be able to make full use of the break, he insisted that it is a positive thing for him to keep getting experience.
“I actually got the call yesterday to say that I’m heading off to Estonia on Sunday and you’re never going to complain about an opportunity like that. Playing in a European qualifier is an invaluable experience for any player, and I think it will stand to me,” McDermott admitted.
“I was involved with the team last year. Ian (Baraclough) spoke to me and he was full of praise and saying that he had been keeping track of how well I was doing with Derry. I think I did myself justice last time out against France, and I’m hoping that I can keep doing that not just next week, but in the future as well.”