Derry City 'win ugly' but Declan Devine delighted to book place in FAI Cup quarter-finals

DECLAN DEVINE was delighted his battling Derry City side booked their place in the quarter-finals of the FAI Cup after a smash and grab against Drogheda United at United Park.
Declan Devine was delighted to get through in the cup.Declan Devine was delighted to get through in the cup.
Declan Devine was delighted to get through in the cup.

The City boss admitted his team 'won ugly' against the First Division outfit and wasn't 'jumping through hoops' after the last ditch win.

However, he insisted the Candy Stripes must strive to improve before the North West derby against Finn Harps in Ballybofey in two weeks' time.

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"We're through into the next round which is the most important thing," said Devine. "We will have a few days off to get the walking wounded back and then we have a huge North West league tie in three weeks time.

"It wasn't pretty," he admitted. "On the back of Tuesday night it was just key we won the game. And when you get to the latter stages of cup competitions nobody remembers matches or how you got there. We weren't anywhere near free-flowing but it's a tough venue.

"It's a tough tie. They have a very attacking threat and Drogheda put it up to us but it's just about getting into the hat. The most important thing is the season has been prolonged, we're in the hat for the last eight.

"We have to get better but we're down a lot of bodies and there's boys carrying knocks. A lot of players are really physically tired.

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I'll take that all day long. The most important thing was to get through., We were actually quite wasteful at times. We had to dig in but at the end of the day we came away with the win.

"I'm not jumping through hoops but we have to get better. If you keep clean sheets you have a chance of winning football matches and that's the best thing for me. They deserve a few days off now but we have to strive to get better and find a way of pushing on for the rest of the season."

Devine handed former Stoke City U23 defender, Cameron McJannett his debut at the back and he was hugely impressive alongside Eoin Toal as City kept a clean sheet for the first time since the 2-0 win over St Pat's in Richmond Park back on August 3rd.

"He looked as if he's been here for years and he's only 21 years of age but we knew he was capable of. And I thought Eoin Toal was immense tonight against and that's the first time they've played together. So I'm absolutely delighted."