Derry duo hail Mark Connolly for restoring feel-good factor at Derry City
MICHAEL DUFFY says Mark Connolly has restored the feel-good factor at Derry City by making the players feel free to 'express' themselves.
The interim manager is getting every last ounce from his squad and has Derry fans dreaming again after reaching the 2026 FAI Cup Final at the Aviva Stadium.
The air of crisis which has hung over Brandywell Stadium for far too long has dissipated since Connolly has stepped into the vacant managerial role.
Skipper Duffy, who scored two first-half goals against Galway last Saturday to fire Derry into next month's final, has benefited greatly from Connolly's approach. He's scored an incredible 10 goals in the nine games Connolly has been in charge and the winger is relishing an exciting finale to what's been one of his most challenging seasons as a player.
Duffy reckons the freedom Connolly affords his players has been the crucial ingredient in reviving the team's fortunes and the remarkable turnaround in results which is evidently much more than a brief 'new manager bounce'.
"He's just come in and he's been so positive with everyone," explained Duffy who will be hoping to chase down leading goalscorer Tommy Lonergan for the Golden Boot this term with four games to go. Duffy currently has 11 league goals behind Bohemians' Colm Whelan (13) and Lonergan (14).
"He knows how much talent is in the dressing room and wants us to express ourselves.
"He's constantly trying to get us to play football and is literally in there saying, 'if you try this pass and you lose it then it's on me'. He's doing that from Tom (Norcott) all the way through to the attackers. He doesn't care as long as you're trying to make things happen and move it about. I can go play right wing if I want or drop in as long as we're all working hard.
"It's just really enjoyable. It's enjoyable to play in. His gameplan against Galway was perfect. We're in a good place.”
Even camera-shy Cameron Dummigan is enjoying himself so much under Connolly that he agreed to front up for media duties this week ahead of the trip to Drogheda United.
The Lurgan man has been in fine form over the past few weeks and has noticed a significant upturn in the mood around Owenbeg.
"We come in a lot happier and enjoy ourselves and the training sessions have been excellent,” said Dummigan who has been deployed at right-back under Connolly.
"Everyone is on it so it's been good. I'm just enjoying playing to be honest. I had a period there when I wasn't playing so I'm just happy to be back playing."
With a third cup final in five seasons secured, attention turns once again to the league campaign, and finishing fourth is very much the target.
"Obviously you want to finish as high as possible. Fourth is the highest we can finish this year and we're going to do everything we can to make sure we finish there.
"The cup final is always going to be on your mind but the main thing now is focusing on finishing the league and making sure we pick up as many points as possible."
As skipper Duffy knows the importance of putting that cup final to the back of their minds with a double header against Drogheda and St Pats up next.
It's easier said than done, however, as he knows from experience how special that day at Lansdowne Road is. Given that over 15,000 tickets sold less than 24 hours after their release on Wednesday, it is evidence that Derry fans are very much reconnected with the Candy Stripes.
"It's something to look forward to but we have some important league games coming up first. We want to go into the final in good form.
"There will be a brilliant buzz around Derry now and that's what I'm so happy about. There's been a disconnect this year with the fans.
"We've been disappointing but now I think this next month there will be a real buzz around the town and the city and people are goin to be excited. It's a big day to look forward to."
His form and fitness is crucial for Connolly and the team and he's determined to keep his sensational run going.
"I just want to keep going. I'm in a good place, scoring goals, winning games and I'm happy. I've got a big day now to look forward to at the end of the season. "It will be special (leading the team out). Especially the way this year has been.
"That's why I was a bit emotional after the game in Galway. It meant so much to all of us.
"To get to that final, for everyone involved with Derry, all the players, all the fans, this was so important we got to the final and we can look forward to it."