League of Ireland rivals to cheer on Derry City tonight

Derry City could find themselves in the unusual position of having several of their Premier Division opponents cheer them on in tonight’s FAI Cup semi-final at Bohemians.

With just six points separating third and seventh place, the fight for a European place next season is heating up. However, should Derry City beat Bohemians and go on to win the trophy for the second time in three years, an extra space will open up in fourth, leaving teams with an extra opportunity to make money-spinning Europa Conference League.

That may not be of immediate concern to Higgins, but the Derry City boss does remember reaping similar benefits as a player back in 2013.

“That's pretty irrelevant to me, and I'm not being smart, but that's not my concern whatsoever because we have to focus on ourselves,” he began. “But I remember being at the final, when me and Barry Molloy went down, and did a charity cycle thing, before the final between Drogheda and Sligo, and N’Do scooped it over the wall for Anthony Elding to finish. It got us into Europe, and we were running about the Aviva, like two eejits. We're in the position that we're in, and we still have a lot of work to do, to get what we want to achieve out of the season, so we don't have time to think about anyone else.”

The difference that European qualification can make to clubs is not lost on Higgins, with many clubs’ immediate future made more secure as a result.

“I think with the lack of investment in the league, it's what all the clubs crave, because of the money that's involved,” he agreed. “That's where they have to generate their money from, so, aye, there's so much importance on it. You see that, what Shamrock Rovers have now achieved, getting into the group stages, what Larne have achieved in the Irish league, getting into the group stages, and the financial stability that that can bring to a football club. It can't be underestimated.

“I wish the clubs didn't have to rely on getting into Europe to generate that sort of money. As I said, there should be more investment than what there is, but it is what it is, and it's really a game changer for a lot of clubs. For us, we've seen a good and bad, over the last couple of years, of our experiences in Europe, but, for all these clubs to keep going, I think Europe is so, so important.”

While there have been difficult times for the league recently due to Dundalk’s struggles, Higgins has always backed the League of Ireland, and he pointed out Monday night’s thrilling game between Shelbourne and St. Patrick’s Athletic at Tolka Park as a prime example of what this league can be.

“I think it was an absolutely outstanding game of football, one of the best games of football I've watched in any league in a long time, for quality, for everything, absolutely everything in the game. And you hear sort of that lazy talk about the standard of the league,” he enthused.

“Well, I think we've had a few matches on quite recently that have been of a really good standard. I was delighted that the game was on TV, to showcase what product we have in the league. The high level of quality, and the quality out of possession, all those types of things. I just thought it was an absolutely brilliant game of football, and one I enjoyed watching.”

Given the ultra-competitive nature of the Premier Division this season, nothing has yet been decided with just a few weeks of the season remaining. Derry City can win the title with five wins in their last five games, but in a season littered with unpredictable results, nothing is certain. Based on those facts, Higgins feels it would only add to the achievement of the Candystripes were to get over the line and win the club’s first title since 1997.

“It's a really good point, and it's, it's so true,” he stated. “Every single game, I've said it previously, it's a slog, like every single game, is nip and tuck, and if you switch off at all, you get punished. It would make it more satisfying, because of the ups and downs, and there's been real challenges this year, real times where, people thought, that we were a busted flush, and then we've come back again, at times where we've maybe questioned ourselves, but we've always found a way to, to come back, and as I said in football, the good thing about it, is that you've always got an opportunity around the corner, to rectify any damage that's been done.”