Listen: ‘Higsy’ says formless Candystripes missing senior players

Richie Towel (facing camera) put Derry City to the sword in Louth on Monday.

DERRY City assistant manager Paul Hegarty says the club has missed senior players such as Stewart Greacen and Kevin Deery during its recent execrable run of form, the latest manifestation of which was a 3-0 trouncing at Oriel Park on Monday.

Speaking to a local radio station after ex-Celtic and Hibs boy Richie Towel hammered three past the Candystripes he said senior experience has been missing of late.

“At the minute, we are just giving away bad goal, after bad goal, and to be perfectly honest with you when things are going against you, you need your senior players to stand up and we’re missing Kevin Derry and Stewart Greacen for most of the season.

“Probably, we needed them at that stage when things were starting to get a wee bit rocky.

“It’s difficult to be asking the younger fellahs when the senior players aren’t able to stand up and do it,” he said.

Mr Hegarty said it would be up to the board to decide the extent of any staffing overhaul during the close season but predicted a “lot of changes.”