'Without everyone's support, it would have been impossible'

Ruaidhri Higgins returns to the sidelines against Dundalk tomorrow night ‘extremely grateful’ for the support shown to him and his family by everyone at Derry City after a hugely difficult month.

The Derry City boss was absent from the dug-out for Monday night’s win at UCD as he and his family said farewell to his brother Kevin, who tragically passed away at home in Sweden last month. Alan Reynolds took control of the team for the 4-0 victory in Dublin on Monday, but Higgins will return for tomorrow’s game against Dundalk.

“It’s been challenging, really challenging, but at this football club we have such good people, led by the Chairman who has been an amazing support to the family, as have Sean, Dodie, all the Board of Directors and the players and staff,” he explained.

“They have all been amazing and without that support it would have been impossible, but we are a unique club in many ways and I can’t thank everyone connected to the club, and that includes the supporters as well, I can’t thank them enough for the support over the past month.”

Higgins could well have taken more time off in light of the tragic circumstances, but after talking it over with his family, he is now ready to return.

“I have a responsibility to the players and the staff and the club,” he continued. “I know what my family wants. I obviously wasn’t at the game on Monday, but that was because it was impossible to be at the game on Monday; if I could have been there I would have been there. It has been a really challenging time and I have been here as much as I possibly could have been. I owe the club a lot and the players and the staff a lot, and I have to get on with it. I know what my family wants as well, which I a really motivating factor.”

Higgins admitted that he and his family gathered around the TV to watch Derry City dismantle UCD at the Belfield Bowl on Monday night, a result that keeps the Candystripes top of the Premier Division.

“We watched it as a family actually and it was heartwarming and amazing to see the professionalism that the players and the staff have,” he said. “We had good control of the game. There were a few moments when you get a bit itchy but I think the players were excellent and deserved to win and win well. I know the lads were really well-prepared and we made four changes. We also introduced players who hadn’t had many minutes. It’s important that we all feel a part of it and I think the last month has shown how brilliant the football club that we have here is.”

‘Lazy opinion’

Meanwhile, Higgins believes that tomorrow’s opponents Dundalk are viable title contenders once again, and can’t quite get his head around the fact that some people expect Stephen O’Donnell’s side to fall away in recent seasons. Dundalk finished third on goal difference behind Derry City last year and currently sit in the same position after a good start to the season.

“I find that really strange that people keep expecting to fall away,” he stated. “They have league winners throughout their squad; multiple league winners. They have talented players like us who are emerging in their careers and I find it ridiculous that people don’t see them in the same light as maybe us or Rovers. I find that really strange. I think it’s a lazy view, a lazy opinion. There are four or five clubs and one or two might say that they fancy having a crack at it; there will be two or three who play it down but will feel that they can have a right go and I think Dundalk are one of them.”