Payback for billionaire O’Doherty a real driver for Derry City in Europe

REAL DRIVER: Derry City chairman Philip O'Doherty celebrates after the Extra.ie FAI Cup Final. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

Ruaidhrí Higgins admits another European run would be a fitting reward for the investment pumped into Derry City by local billionaire Philip O’Doherty.

O’Doherty was already the club’s benefactor before selling his E&I Engineering business to American conglomerate Vertiv Holdings for almost $2bn in 2022.

His annual donation is estimated to be at least €1m, the springboard for the Candystripes to win the 2022 FAI Cup and provide the closest challenge to league leaders Shelbourne in an epic title race.

Their latest European tilt takes them to Gibraltar on Thursday, when they face Bruno’s Magpies in the first round of the Conference League.

Last year’s tilt included wins over teams from Faroe Islands and Finland before exiting at the third juncture to Kazak outfit Tobol on penalties.

That run grossed around €800,000 from Uefa, a degree of payback for the millions O’Doherty has invested in his club.

He brought Higgins home to Foyleside from his FAI scouting role in April 2021 for his first senior job at 36 and the Limavady native on Tuesday spoke of the faith shown in him by the supremo.

“What Philip has done and continues to do is unbelievable, to be fair,” said Higgins ahead of Thursday’s 6pm kick-off at the Europa Point Stadium.

“He’s an extremely proud Derry man, not just the football club - he’s proud to be from here. That’s reflected in the stuff he does, a lot of which nobody will hear about it.

“He’s a brilliant man and had been great for me. He believes in me and backs what we’re doing here.

“These European nights are special for people like him and I just want to make sure that we give something back as well. Europe is extremely important for all League of Ireland clubs, considering it’s probably our biggest earner.

“That’s why I was so happy last year we went through a few rounds. It gives a bit back to the club, particularly for people like Philip.”

Should Derry progress in this time, up next is an FC Copenhagen side that beat Manchester United in last year’s Champions League group stage on the way to the last-16.

"They're a giant of a football club, reaching the last 16 of the Champions League last year and to be honest it's why we're in the game," added Higgins the carrot dangling.

“If that doesn't motivate you then you're in the wrong game.

“Copenhagen is so far down my list of priorities at the minute that it's frightening. We understand we have a really difficult task in hand, Magpies will be a well-coached team with some talented players.

“If we think like that we won't progress to the next stage, it's as simple as that.

“Teams from smaller nations, as we've seen over the last number of years, are improving and we have done nothing to turn our noses up at anybody.”