Derry City can handle great expectations, insists in-form Michael Duffy

The Candystripes have started their campaign slowly.

Tue, 10 Mar, 2026 - 08:51

John Fallon

Player of the Month Michael Duffy insists Derry City can handle the pressure of landing a first title since 1997 despite their unspectacular start.

Five games into the campaign – the first four at home – and the Candystripes have seven points, losing as many matches as they’ve won.

Increased pre-season investment from billionaire Philip O’Doherty, including the return of James McClean, was supposed to plug the gaps that has made Derry the bridesmaids for so long.

Last Friday’s defeat at champions Shamrock Rovers was their latest setback.

But in the same way he single-handedly flung his team into a late title charge last season, on a personal level Duffy has been imperious despite the team’s stuttering start.

February was the month for hat-tricks but Colm Whelan, despite his treble against Sligo Rovers helping Bohemians lead the table, it was the trio from Duffy in their comeback win over Waterford that edged the ballot of football writers in his favour.

“There’s a lot of expectation here at the club and we want to be successful this season but we are only five games into our league campaign and we all want to chase the silverware,” Duffy said, attempting to provide a degree of perspective.

“We've showed how we can play we're still gelling as a team due the volume of new players. The manager (Tiernan Lynch) is constantly working hard on it and we are as a team, as a group, and I think it'll turn for us very soon.”

Heimir Hallgrímsson has reportedly named four League of Ireland players on his long-list for the upcoming World Cup playoff semi-final away to Czechia on March 26. Seldom does a domestic player make the final cut and few are expecting that to change when the latest panel is named on Thursday week but Duffy has long waited for his call-up since switching after representing Northern Ireland’s U21s.

“My stats are good and I've played well in some games but I still think that my form can be better,” he confessed with trademark honesty.

“I'm happy with the way the month went because I want to be involved in goals and assists but I definitely think there's another level to me.

“There's also another level to us as a team.” That must be displayed swiftly, starting with Shelbourne’e visit to the Ryan McBride Brandywell.

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