'The Brandywell isn't enjoyable when it's empty' says Declan Devine

The Covid-19 crisis has denied Derry their famous home support for all nine league games on Foyleside this year and Devine claims it's been 'an insane year' where the absence of supporters hasn't been easy for his players.

"It's been the most insane year I've ever experienced," said the Creggan man. "This place just isn't the same without people in it. It's not a nice place when it's empty.

"We've got to get back to that feeling that this place is a special place with special people coming to it. It's so unusual because it's empty.

"It's not really enjoyable to tell you the truth. It's not an enjoyable place to come on a weekly basis with no fans."

Despite the empty stands, Devine was 'honoured' to notch up his 150th game in charge of his hometown club over two spells and he's determined to finish the season strongly with European football still a possibility.

"I'm extremely honoured to manage this football club," he added. "Personally this year I think things could've been done better on my behalf but I'm really honoured to manage this football club over two spells.

"We're going to be really focussed on finishing the season strongly and see where it takes us. It's an honour to work at this club."

Following an encouraging display in the 2-1 loss to Dundalk on Monday night, Derry produced an excellent performance against Shelbourne who came into the game two points ahead and in sixth place.

The much needed victory moved Derry into fifth spot just two points behind Waterford, reviving hopes of securing European football for next season. And while there was a danger of being dragged into a relegation fight in the final days of the season, Devine insisted it was never on the minds of his players or staff,

"We never spoke about relegation, we've never talked about it. We're not saying we're not still in a dogfight, we need to get more points.

"We still have two games to go so we'll see where it takes us," said Devine who refuses to get carried away. "We've lost too many games this year, we've given away too many points we should've been winning.

"The main thing tonight was getting three points. To get three points we had to perform well and I think the 12 or 13 players who took to the pitch tonight were very good.

"It was a very good performance. I thought we started the game in the right frame of mind. We've hit the bar after five or six seconds and then I thought we grew really into the game with a lot of really good performances.

"Shelbourne are a real dogged side. They have a lot of aggression and are a real threat from set-pieces which has been a bit of a problem for us this year.

"I just felt the honesty tonight was good. The application of the players was good. I thought we retained the ball well. Listen, we've taken a bit of flak and rightly so but the last couple of games we've played quite well.

"Against Waterford we dominated the game and won it. Apart from a crazy 15 minutes against Dundalk we played well in the game and were unfortunate to lose that. And tonight I thought we were dominant from start to finish.

"Nobody is jumping through hoops here but we've done what I always believed this group was capable of.

"We played a good brand of football and were very attack minded. Tonight I think you could single out as many players as you want but when you look around the team every one of them played well. Everyone was comfortable and I thought the magic that Adam Hammill's got was evident for everyone to see.

"That's four times Adam has hit the crossbar against Shelbourne, two down there and two here tonight. We're just delighted we have him and he had that creativity for us tonight. It's three points, the boys are delighted but we move on.

"There was a lot of pressure coming into the game and the boys performed tremendously well and some of the football we played was really top drawer.

"The guys deserve credit but let's get on to Rovers on Wednesday."

Devine went on to give special mention to chief steward and former Board member, Mr Patrick 'Charlie' McGirr who has served for the club in various roles over the past 25 years.

Strabane native, Mr McGirr was given a round of applause and presented with a special memento by the club as he played his part in the match day team for the final time.

"Charlie McGirr had his final game tonight after 25 years service. We brought him into the changing room and the players gave him a round of applause. He's been a fantastic servant to the club and we wish him all the best in the future."