It was a case of saving the best for last for Derry City manager Stephen Kenny at Brandywell on Friday night. The Candy Stripes were losing 1-0 to Cork City when they scored a brace of goals in the 90th and 91st minute.
It was not one of the most convincing Derry performances and the Rebel Army managed to contain and limit the home side for most of the second half. However, Ciaran Martyn and Aaron Nash scored late on to give Derry all three points and Kenny claimed
that they deserved the victory.
“We deserved to win because their goal was the only chance we conceded. Whilst people will say that we didn't play brilliant, Cork strangle the life out of you. They have good players and it’s hard to break them down. It’s easier said than done but on the night I think we deserved all three points. Everyone worked hard and in the end it paid off. We were missing four of our main men tonight and for us to be beat them is tremendous.”
The 37-year-old Dubliner admitted that Friday’s opponents prove a test for his players and praised the performances of second half substitutes, James McClean, Aaron Nash and David Scullion.
“Cork are difficult to play against. Early on, the ball was in the air a lot and that was because we couldn't play through the midfield because it was too congested. It nearly worked when Liam Kearney played a great through ball to Mark Farren in the first half.”
He continued: “We got three late goals against Cork last year too. Both Conor Sammon and Thomas Stewart scored at Turner’s Cross and Sammy Morrow scored here at the Brandywell. I think you always have to believe that you can get back into the game and some of the lads did really well tonight.
“Liam Kearney and Ciaran Martyn were consistent for the entire 90 minutes and it was a great cross from James McClean in the build up to Ciaran’s equaliser. David Scullion hasn’t been able to train since he joined but we put him on with minutes to go. He has that bit of of creativity and he sees things and makes things happen.”
When asked for his opinion on Aaron Nash’s debut Kenny said that it is an experience that will stay with the youngster forever.
“It was a good cross. It had great quality and power and Aaron Nash met the ball with great power. What a debut for him. It’s one he will never forget. He did tremendously well.
“We were missing four of our main men tonight and for us to be beat them is tremendous.”
Kenny finished off by praising the reinvention of midfielder Ciaran Martyn and joked that it now gives him a problem regarding team selection ahead of next Saturday’s game with Shamrock Rovers at the new Tallaght Stadium in Dublin.
“Someone had in the paper today that Ciaran Martyn in 2005 and 2006 he scored 23 goals. Where else would you get that? That’s phenomenal stuff and it gives me a few headaches ahead of next week’s game regarding the starting XI. Answers on a postcard please,” he joked.
Also speaking after Friday evening’s game was captain Peter Hutton.
