DERRY CITY: Kenny Shiels issues apology to fans after frustrating draw in Wexford

Derry City manager Kenny Shiels wasn't impressed with his side's stalemate in Wexford.

The ‘Candy Stripes’ failed to convert chances into goals and missed the chance to move five points clear of fourth placed, Shamrock Rovers.

Shiels was disappointed with the result but particularly his side’s lack of ‘ingenuity, creativity and invention’ and the Derry boss believes Brandywell club now are under pressure to go to Oriel Park and win next Friday night.

“It wasn’t a game of football that’s for sure,” said Shiels. “I have to apologise to the Derry supporters who made the trip.

Derry City defender Max Karner, who played his first 90 minutes for the club in Wexford, forces
Aidan Keenan away from goal. — Derry City defender Max Karner, who played his first 90 minutes for the club in Wexford, forces Aidan Keenan away from goal.

“We lacked our usual ingenuity, creativity and invention and all of the things that are good about a football game. We didn’t have enough of that.

“Wexford were very direct with long throw-ins, corner kicks, free-kicks but how many free-kicks did we get? “Fair play to Wexford they worked hard and showed good commitment for a team who’s fighting to stay in the league.

“It’s another clean sheet and we’ve had a few of them but it’s been a tough season.

“You have to say overall, they probably deserved their point in terms of the commitment.”

With Aaron McEneff and Dean Jarvis both suspended and Ryan McBride and Aaron Barry out injured, Shiels says his squad is being stretched to the limit.

“I’m just concerned about the fitness of the boys we brought in. Max (Karner) and Harry (Monaghan) came in and they’re off the pace.

“But we were a bit flat which tells us we are a bit shallow in terms of our squad. We’ve lost two players to suspension. We didn’t have the fitness Harry (Monaghan) came in for Aaron and Nathan (Boyle) came in and missed a few chances but he worked hard.

“It just didn’t drop for us. We had domination in spells but we weren’t as consistent as we needed to be. We’re sitting in a decent position, It just puts a bit of pressure on us in that we have to go to Dundalk and win. We must go and win in Dundalk now.”