Derry City assistant manager Hegarty relishing title 'pressure'

Newly appointed assistant manager Paul Hegarty insists Derry City players should embrace the fact that they are title challengers.

Hegarty, who took part in his first training session with the City squad on Sunday morning, was announced on Friday as Paddy McLaughlin’s replacement as Ruaidhrí Higgins’ number two.

The former Institute boss knows trying to deny Shamrock Rovers their fifth Premier Division title in a row is going to be tough, but believes the Derry squad is more than capable of doing it.

“Everybody knows we have to be challenging for the league title,” he stated. “It’s not going to be easy, it’s getting over the line, having been close for the last two years.

“Look, circumstances change and you never know what happens in football from one day to the next, never mind week to week, but the squad of players that we have are more than capable of challenging for the league, it’s just if we can get the best out of them.

“Yes, toppling Rovers is going to be tough, but look there will be other teams involved in the title race as well, it’s going to be very tight and there will be no easy games this season."

With Rovers keeping the majority of last season's squad and strengthening it with experienced players and exciting youngsters, the champions seem determined to keep hold on the title they have held since 2020. Derry City will now be their only challengers however, with St. Patrick' Athletic also investing heavily to ensure they are in the title mix this year.

“From what I see teams have strengthened everywhere, so it will be a tough season but it should be an enjoyable one," Hegarty said.

“Players should embrace the fact that people are expecting them to win a league title, that’s not pressure. Pressure is if you’re down at the bottom and fighting against relegation, which will be the case for some teams, but challenging at the top of the league is where everybody wants to be.

“As I said you should be embracing that and it should give you a buzz out of it and those players know what they are capable of and it’s a matter of just getting that extra edge and getting yourself over the line.”

Hegarty is looking forward to getting back into the thick of things and working alongside Higgins after being appointed at the end of last week. Hegarty was even in attendance at Oriel Park as Derry City beat Dundalk 3-0 in their final pre-season game, with the days now passing quickly ahead of the big season kick-off against Drogheda United at the Brandywell in just four day's time. Michael Duffy scored two against his former team while Danny Mullen added the other.

“I’ve been out of it for two years and you’re back at the top level in this country and it was an opportunity I couldn’t turn down. Once it came along it was a no brainer,” Hegarty admitted.

“I know Ruaidhrí for a long time, he played there whenever I was in before and he was in along with me before whenever I was caretaker boss, so there’s nothing new there. Look, Ruaidhrí has his own ideas and I’ve my own ideas and hopefully we can work together and make the thing as best as we can.”

Higgins feels the Donegal native will bring valuable experience to the Brandywell dressing room and his knowledge and man management skills will benefit the squad.

“I’m delighted to be working with Paul and he’ll bring a wealth of experience to our group,” he insisted. “I know from previous experience that he brings an unbelievable work ethic and knowledge of this league and its players.

“Paul will be of great support to me going forward and this is a club that has always been very close to his heart. He brings real intelligence to his work and I’m looking forward to tapping into that.

“He has enjoyed success here in the past, both as a player, and then as assistant to Stephen Kenny, and we’ll do everything in our power to bring more in the future.”