Europa League pot crucial for Derry City coffers

Given the current climate and the impact of the Covid-19 crisis on the League of Ireland, Devine believes the financial rewards of progressing in European competition takes on greater significance for the Brandywell club.

Devine, who guided Derry to an FAI Cup Final win in 2012 and to the EA Sports Cup decider last season, welcomed news from UEFA this week and said progressing in Europe is the ‘ultimate goal’.

“That was as good as we could get on Wednesday to be honest,” said the City boss. “Everything has been so much up in the air lately and to get that clarity was fantastic.

“The rewards are massive to get through a round or two of Europe and that has to be the goal. No matter what the draw is, who we get or where we have to go, we have to do everything in our power to get through a round.

“You never take playing in European competition for granted and we certainly won’t,” he added.

UEFA announced on Wednesday the 2020/21 Europa League qualifiers will be staged as one-off ties rather than the usual two-legged affairs.

Derry City will play its first round tie on August 27th and home advantage will be determined by the draw the week previous.

“It’s unusual in that it’s going to be almost like a cup final,” continued the Creggan man. “It’s a game that’s full of riches for the winner. There’s a lot of money at stake in a one-off 90 minutes game.

“The financial rewards - it’s going to be more important than any cup final I’ve ever been involved in because in a one-off game is massive for the club in the current climate with the uncertainty and lack of money floating about in the game at all levels.”

Devine insists a home draw would be a ‘huge advantage’ for the club given the costs involved in travelling at present.

“It’s a 50/50 draw but to get a home draw would be a huge advantage in a one-off European tie. The draw has to be favourable to you and a home draw is massive.

“You could be drawn to go anywhere and the expense in Europe of travelling is high and, in this current climate, the price of flights is going to be huge. It’s also very difficult for people to travel at the minute.

“Regardless of the draw, we’ve got to try and be ready to get through a round and that’s going to be extremely difficult as we haven’t done that a lot in recent history.

“It’s going to be difficult no matter what as we will only get a week’s notice to prepare. So it will be a bit hectic but the most important thing for us is to try to get through a round. I said that from the start.

“You just can’t be happy to take part. We want to make sure we stay in it for as long as we can.”