Ronan Boyce refusing to give up on league title

Sligo Rovers vs. Derry City

Sligo Showgrounds

Tonight, 7:45pm

Ronan Boyce will become one of only two players to reach 100 appearances under Ruaidri Higgins should be play against Sligo Rovers tonight.

The 22-year-old, who made his debut under Declan Devine towards the end of the 2020 season, has been a first team regular ever since Higgins’ arrival and will join Cameron McJannet as the only centurions in his time at the club.

Having missed three games with an ankle injury, Boyce returned to face Shamrock Rovers at the Brandywell last week, a night that ultimately ended in disappointment for the Candystripes, with Graham Burke’s late penalty earning the champions a crucial point.

“We were all gutted, because of the effort we put in, and not to get the three points was sore for us,” Boyce said. “The penalty was very soft. At the time itself I don’t think it was a penalty, but the ref gave it. I think overall in the game we played really well, and the performances in the team from everyone were really good, and I think if we continue that on for the last run of games, we will be in a good place. We just have to bounce back quickly, and we’re fully focussed now on Friday.”

Higgins admitted in the aftermath of the Rovers game that Derry City would need to win all six remaining games if they were to have any chance at the title, and Boyce believes the team is capable of doing just that.

“We know ourselves that we’re capable of winning the six games,” he stated. “We know it’s not going to be easy, and people might think it’s already done, but we still believe that we can win the six games, and obviously then we’re hoping for a slip up. It’s up to us now to just do our business and see what happens then.”

Boyce has a late winning goal at the Sligo Showgrounds to his credit, but Derry City have struggled against the Bit O’Red in recent times, taking just one point from their last three visits.

“It’s never easy,” he agreed. “Even last year, I don’t think we won there last year. It’s a Northwest derby too, and they are tough games, and on Friday we’re expecting no different. It’s just a tough place to go to.

“I think a lot of teams struggle in the Showgrounds. I think the fact that it’s a derby game as well, that brings a bit more to it. No derbies are easy, and to be fair, I know Sligo are struggling this year, but they play a good brand of football, and on their day, they can beat anyone. I just think we need to go with the right mentality and be ready for it.

“It’s tough. There is always just a goal or two between the teams, there has never been a hammering. It’s a tough game and we’re expecting no different this Friday.”

Experienced

Overall, Boyce has made 105 appearances for Derry City, making him one of the most experienced players in the squad despite his young age. But he believes he still has a lot more to learn, especially in a league as demanding as the League of Ireland.

“The manager has been brilliant with me ever since I have come in and I just try and repay him with performances on the pitch,” he continued. “Hopefully I can keep doing that and keep staying in the team, because it’s tough, but you just do what you can every week.

“I’m still young as well, and I still have a lot to learn. I feel that I can still get better and I have a few more gears to go up. The more you play too, the better you get and you juts want to playa much as you can and do as well as you can.

“This league is so tough; I know people think that we should be beating this team or that team, but it never works out that way because there are no easy games in this league.”

With Shamrock Rovers sure to beat UCD this weekend, there is absolutely no room for error for Dery City at the Showgrounds.

“The table shows that Sligo are a bit further down than us, but we’ll not be looking at that because we know how tough it’s going to be,” Boyce concluded.

“I have no doubt in this team that we can win the six games. I know it’s going to be a huge ask, but I think this group of players, we’re all capable of doing it, and if we just go into every game with the right mentality and we play to the best of our ability, I don’t see why we can’t do it.”