By Gary Ferry
Darren Cole is confident that Derry City can make third place their own in the next few weeks and go on to secure European football as a result.
The Candy Stripes are locked in a battle for third place with Shamrock Rovers with both teams exchanging league positions over the weekend, Rovers going third with a win over Dundalk before City reclaimed the spot with Monday night’s win over Finn Harps. With Bray Wanderers also in contention, the final weeks of the season promise to be riveting, but goal-hero Cole, who struck the opening goal at Finn Park just three minutes from time, believes that Derry can hold onto third from here on in.
“It couldn’t have ended better to be honest,” he said. “I didn’t actually realise how long was left but as soon as I hit it, it went in and I’ve had no better feeling since I’ve been here.
“I can hardly remember it. I just remember someone going up for a header and the ball dropping at my feet. It was about 6-10 yards out but I just volleyed it and it hit the back of the net. I don’t know what my celebration was like but I think it was good. It was an amazing feeling, I didn’t plan the celebration as you could see but I think the fans enjoyed it and I enjoyed it as did the team and that’s the main thing.”
Monday’s game was on a knife-edge with both teams looking capable of nicking a goal in the closing stages but Cole believes that the momentum was with the visitors as the game came to a close, and they deservedly got the win their play deserved.
“I think near the end of the game when we got the ball down and started playing, we did,” he continued. “There were a couple of long balls but that’s not our game so as soon as we got the ball down we got them running about. They looked a bit tired at the end and that’s how we got our chances.”
Cole, play9ing only his fourth game for the Candy Stripes, played in the heart of the City defence alongside Eoin Toal, who made his senior debut. Cole may have grabbed the headlines with the goal, but he paid tribute to his team mate for an assured performance in difficult circumstances.
“He’s a young lad and I think he did well,” he explained. “I’ve shared a flat with Eoin so we know each other really well. He did do really well and hopefully he can stay in the team.”
City go on to face Limerick at Maginn Park this weekend and they do so on the back of huge wins at Dalymount Park and Finn Park.
“It’s massive as everybody knows,” Cole continued. “I don’t think we’re going to get the chance to win the league but we want to get in that Europa spot. That’s what we’re aiming for and the way it’s going, I think we should get it.
“I came here to do as well as we can. I want to help us get the three points every week and so far it’s been good. You can’t ask for anything more with two wins and two clean sheets in three days. I just come here to work as hard as I can and conceding no goals is brilliant for us.”
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