City pair sign up

DERRY City duo Gerard Doherty and Ruaidhri Higgins had no hesitation in committing their futures to Derry City.

Doherty has agreed a three year extension, which sees him staying at the Brandywell until 2015, while Higgins, a Glentoran target, has also said yes to a two year deal and they are expected to sign their new deals later today.

The pair met Philip O’Doherty and Sean Barrett this week and both admitted after those talks there fears for the club were ended.

With Stephen Kenny gone to Shamrock Rovers and the duo’s former team-mates Gareth McGlynn, Stewart Greacen and Eamon Zayed having also decided to leave the Brandywell, this news that Doherty and Higgins are remaining at the club will certainly please the supporters.

For Doherty, who was rumoured to be following Kenny to Tallaght, he’s thrilled to have signed a contract extension.

“There was a lot of speculation about me and other clubs, so hopefully this puts everything to bed, once and for all,” explained Doherty.

“There was some doom and gloom after Stephen (Kenny) left and a few other players have gone, but that’s football and things move on and that’s what we as a club have to do.

“I was a little worried prior to my meeting with the board, but after speaking to both Philip O’Doherty and Sean Barrett I was more than happy to extend my contract.

“Both Philip and Sean know what they are doing and they are doing what is best for Derry City. They know that getting a new manager is a big thing, but they aren’t going to rush into it and they are going to make the right appointment.”

For Higgins after weeks of speculation he too is happy that his future is now finally sorted and admitted he had no hesitation in committing his future to the Candystripes, despite the club not having a boss in place.

“I have agreed a two year deal and hope to sign it today and I’m glad to finally get my future sorted,” declared the midfielder.

“There was a lot of negative vibes going about after Stephen left to Shamrock Rovers and to be honest I was worried about what way the club was going in the future, but I had a good chat with Philip O’Doherty and Sean Barrett and they left me in no doubt that they are ambitious, so I have no hesitation in agreeing a new deal.”