Ruaidhri Higgins - 'We played without conviction and personality'

Ruaidhri Higgins believes Derry City played without conviction and personality in their latest defeat to Shamrock Rovers. 

The Candystripes went to Tallaght last night with the opportunity to go eight points clear of the champions, but instead fell to a 1-0 defeat thanks to Johnny Kenny's first half goal. It was the fourth time in two years that Derry City have lost 1-0 at Tallaght and brought a six-game unbeaten run to an end. With Shelbourne winning at St. Patrick's Athletic, City have also now fallen four points behind at the top of the Premier Division. 

"It was a disappointing night," Higgins said afterwards. "The first half performance was poor from our standards. We've been good in recent weeks, but our first half performance lacked any conviction or personality. We didn't play with any personality and we could have been two or three down at half time, truth be told. It wasn't good enough and we won't accept it. 

"In the second half we got into plenty of good areas and had good possession and got into the final third a number of times, but lacked cutting edge in the final pass or the final cross and it cost us. What I would say is that we definitely played with a bit more courage in the second half but you can't give up 45 minutes of football the way we did in the first half, especially the way we did and in a place like this and expect to come away with anything out of the game."

The final scoreline actually flattered the visitors with Rovers passing up several chances to add to their lead, most notably from a Graham Burke penalty which was saved by Brian Maher. 

"We actually started the game in the first five or six minutes quite well, but then they took over the game," Higgins continued. "They scored then Brian makes a brilliant save from the penalty. But the first 45 minutes was unlike us in recent times; the second 45 was a bit better but we just lacked the cutting edge. You need to have character and personality to come to these places and win and we didn't show any of that in the first 45."

Derry City were without Pat Hoban due to suspension, but the City boss wasn't using that as an excuse. 

"Aye, but in saying that Danny (Mullen) had a good first half of the season as well," he stated. "He tired a bit towards the end which is why we made the change, but Danny's a top player and Pat's a top player which he has proven time and again at this level, but suspensions happen, injuries happen and that's the way it is. But we won't be making any excuses. We didn't create anywhere near enough and we can't have any complaints. Shamrock Rovers deserved to win and we have to take it on the chin and get ready for Friday."

This was the first defeat suffered by Derry since Rovers won at the Brandywell last month, after which they went on a run of four wins and two draws. Higgins is hoping for a similar response this time. 

"We've shown the capacity to respond and react to poor nights and we're going to have to do the same," he said. "There's no other option. It's hard to accept the result tonight, but we have to and we have to take it on the chin., review it and try and get back on the horse asap."