Jack Malone says Derry City's midfield quality has motivated him

The highly rated Top of the Hill teenager made his breakthrough into Declan Devine’s first team squad last season and lit up the Brandywell with a sensational goal in a 3-0 win over Sligo Rovers last July.

That sublime 25 yard strike following a lovely 19 pass build-up move was the highlight of his campaign and he earned himself a new two-year deal as a reward shortly afterwards.

Malone, who replaced new signing, Conor Clifford after 63 minutes, was Devine’s first substitute against Dundalk at Oriel Park on the opening night of the 2020 SSE Airtricity League season, evidence again of how much faith the backroom team has in a player who has graduated from the club’s Academy.

The level headed 19 year-old expects to make his mark on the team this year but knows there is plenty of competition in City’s midfield following the close season additions of Clifford and skipper, Conor McCormack. Throw Ciaron Harkin and Gerardo Bruna into the mix and the midfield positions are undoubtedly the most competitive in the team but Malone wants to win his place on merit.

“I’ve just been learning off boys like Conor McCormack and Conor Clifford every day,” he said. “They are two experienced players and have been about the league for years so I’m just learning little things.

“Competition is exactly what you want. You also have Gerardo Bruna and ‘Jackie’ Harkin in there so competition in midfield is probably the highest in the team but that’s what you want. You don’t want to be playing just because we don’t have any players. You want to be in there on merit.”

Malone certainly didn’t look out of place against the champions on Friday and while a stress fracture in his foot ended his campaign prematurely last year, it’s meant his pre-season began before most as he completed his rehabilitation alongside, Darren Cole and Ronan McKinley. And now he’s fighting fit and ready to hit the ground running.

“It’s good to be back. But pre-season was tough. Very good but tough!”

His injury came at the worst time possible as he was establishing himself as a first team player during a pivotal stage in the season.

“It was very bad timing for me,” he agreed. “I missed the last five games of the season and I was just starting. I had started two matches against Bohs and Cork and got injured in the Cork game. So it was bad timing but everything happens for a reason. This is now a big year for myself and the team.”

The tenacious midfielder is hoping to add more goals and assists this season but what can he offer which will set him apart from the others?

“That goal against Sligo was the only one I scored last year but it was a great feeling and I’m hungry to score more this year, add a few assists and do anything I can to help the team.

“I would say I’m probably most similar to Conor Clifford in that we both like going from box to box and aim to assist and score goals. So I would say myself and Conor would be similar.

“You have Conor McCormack there too and the way he gets the ball back - I’ve never seen anything like it! He always gets his foot in.

“I need to take my game up a level because I know the way the league works and I have half a season under my belt so it’s a big year. Hopefully I can kick on.”

Malone’s elevation from the Academy also offers the club’s other youngsters hope. Ronan Boyce and Jack Parke were also granted first team call-ups last year. Malone was grateful for his opportunity and has offered words of encouragement to the current Academy players.

“It doesn’t matter what age you are, if you’re ready to play he will play you.

“I always believed that after I was done College I would play and that’s the way it worked out for me. Everything went to plan and this year I just hope to start more games and play more games - that’s the ambition anyway so we will see how it goes.”

“When you’re in the Academy you’re training four nights a week, it’s a big step up obviously but you have that base there to move on.

“The Academy coaches are unbelievable and you have Paddy (McCourt) overlooking it. There will be loads of young boys who will be ready to play this year and I think a few of them will get their chance if they keep working hard and if they don’t let anything go to their head they will be fine.”

All being well Malone is hoping he can catch the eye of Republic of Ireland U21 manager, Stephen Kenny this year.

“If I’m playing games every week then I don’t see why I wouldn’t be in for a chance of getting an Under-21 call-up. That’s another big aim for me personally but first and foremost I need to concentrate on Derry and see were it goes.”