Connolly: Brandywell must become a fortress for Derry City next season

The interim boss saw his side claim a fourth win in their last five outings with a narrow but deserved win over Dundalk, providing another encouraging sign of progress after a difficult campaign for the FAI Cup finalists.

Derry's home form has been a particular source of encouragement since their return to the Brandywell at the end of June; the installation of the new £1.4million hybrid pitch coincided with an impressive run of seven wins in nine matches at the Lone Moor Road venue.

Now Connolly wants the resurgent Brandywell outfit to build on that foundation, insisting the club must make the most of its home advantage while addressing its struggles on the road if they are to take the next step forward and challenge champions Shamrock Rovers next year.

"I'm just glad we finished our home league games with a win," said the Monaghan man. "We've played well here. I'm delighted the boys get to play on this pitch. We're so lucky," he said.

"Philip O'Doherty putting the money in for this to happen - it doesn't happen at every other club. It's the best pitch in the country, so we have to give a lot of thanks to him.

"I think the fans are also getting to see really good football. I think it's only going to get better. It's going to get stronger. Next season will get better and we will really push on.

"The Brandywell really has to be a fortress for us every single season, and then we have to be better away from home. We've been poor away from home, so that's what we'll do next season."

Connolly led the players on a lap of appreciation around the ground at the final whistle as he reflected on what has been a turbulent season revitalised by his intervention since August 5th when he replaced the sacked Tiernan Lynch. He's won eight of his 12 matches in charge, losing just twice.

"It has been frustrating for everyone - the fans, the club, the players - but that's done now. From the first three quarters were frustrating, but not anymore. We're going in the right direction, trying to put things in place and push the club forward.

"The players are playing with smiles on their faces, it's an amazing club, an amazing city, and it's a real community. It's a big city but it's a community. We're all in this together. We're away from everyone up in Dublin and I like that - it's us against everyone

"So we had to do that [lap of the pitch]. It's been a long season and we want to show our appreciation. It's been a really tough year and I'm so happy the last number of months the fans are seeing what these players are capable of. And the new players especially, are seeing what Derry's all about.

"We told the players to make sure and go around and clap every single one of the fans. It's been an incredibly tough year; there's no getting away from it. The expectation from inside and outside, it just wasn't to be the season we wanted.

"The last two months, I think we showed the fans and the players the passion and they're really good players."

There’s one more match to finish the campaign against relegated Sligo Rovers at the Showgrounds next Friday night and Connolly is keen to keep the momentum ahead of the Cup Final.

He’s likely to rest some of his key players for that final match with skipper Michael Duffy unlikely to be risked. The winger scored his 17th goal of the season against his former club Dundalk on Friday night – his best ever goalscoring return for the club.

Connolly was delighted with his captain who he believes should win the PFAI Player of the Year accolade for a second successive season.

"Mickey Duffy is the best player in the league. He shows it. We had a poor three quarters of a season and Mickey's up for player of the year because he's the best player in the league and I fully believe he should win it.

"I don't understand how the likes of Brandon Fleming, Adam O'Reilly and Paddy McClean and these boys aren't in it. I get it, we haven't been to where we want to be but these guys' performances have been excellent.

"You want to keep the momentum. You want to keep winning football matches and make it a habit. Clarkey's goal was brilliant and then Mickey's, I thought the movement, it was an excellent goal.

“There were a few others where we played some really good football and it was just that final bit. I'm being picky. We've won three points, the last home game of the season to finish off with three points.

"Sligo is next and every game we want to win. It will never be for a lack of trying. Since I came in I always said it doesn't matter if you make a mistake. If you try and play something or do something I'll get frustrated, but I'll never get on to you if I see someone trying hard and giving everything which is the bare minimum.

“Sometimes it's easy for boys to switch off and not do it. It can be a mental thing and they forget to track men but I see these boys every day and its such a good group of men. As a club we should be proud to have them."