Derry City FC: Ronan Boyce motivated by hurt

Ronan Boyce admits he will be using the hurt of Shelbourne's title win at the Brandywell as motivation to help the team get a result at Tolka Park on the opening day of the new season.

The 23-year-old was not only the most used player in almost four years under Ruaidhri Higgins, with 135 appearances, he was also the fourth highest goal scorer under the former manager, scoring 14 times. Boyce played in that game at the Brandywell back in November when a late goal from Harry Wood sealed the title for Shels, in one of the grimmest nights of his Derry City career.

"It hurt,” he admitted. “That game when they were lifting the trophy on our patch, it definitely hurt. You forget about it, but it still stays with you. It's a new season, but those nights in football they stay with you because you don't want them to happen again. We just have to try and focus on winning the game. We know it's going to be so hard but we'll just have t use it as motivation, people like myself who were there last year. It hurt us, but hopefully we can use that hurt."

Despite still being in the early stages of his senior career, Boyce is one of the most experienced players in the squad at present, having played 142 times already. That kind of experience makes him well-equipped to face the challenges of the season ahead.

"I feel that I'm getting to that stage of my career now where I need to use my experience more and step up and be a senior player," he stated. "I know I'm still young, but just to drive standards. I have experience now in this league playing for Derry and it feels like I am at that stage where I am a senior player.

"It hurt what happened last season. There was a long off-season to think about it. Me especially, and the people who were here last year, we've got to use that hurt going into the new season because you don't want another season like that. It's a long off-season as it is and it's worse when you get nothing from it."

Boyce has played a big part in pre-season and looks sharp and ready to go.

IN PICTURES: Sean Dolan’s GAC host Tri-Rox

"I'm feeling good," he acknowledged. "Pre-season has been good but it's been a tough four or five weeks. I feel that I'm getting fitter and getting closer to where I need to be for the new season. Training has been very good with the new facilities at Owenbeg. Having that base is far better because for the past couple of years we have been running about everywhere through Derry, and even though it's a but far out, it's far better. We know we're here for the full day and we can have our meetings and our gym work all here so it's definitely far better and I think it will improve us as a squad and as a group collectively."

EXCITED

Boyce knows full well the electricity of a packed Brandywell, and with the new North Stand near completion, it is set to add even more volume on match nights, a factor which the defender believes will give the team an extra edge.

"Definitely," he agreed. "It was badly needed that stand. Even aesthetically looking it's far better. There's always been a huge demand for big games so I think it will help the players because it will help the atmosphere as well so it's very positive.

Shelbourne celebrate their title win at the Brandywell back in November.

"It's unbelievable when it gets going; it's electrifying to be honest. It's the best atmosphere I've experienced throughout the country, playing in the big games. When it's rocking I've yet to experience a better atmosphere."

The season begins tomorrow and all eyes will be on Tolka Park at the start of what will be a very unpredictable campaign.

"It's going to be very, very competitive," Boyce said. "As you can see, every team has strengthened and every team in the league is full-time now so it will be really competitive and I don't think it will be a straight-forward season because I think teams will be picking up points everywhere and dropping points everywhere. We're under no illusions about how tough it's going to be and we just have to prepare as best we can for every Friday night."