Derry City Coach Mitchell’s Verdict On Hat-Trick Hero Liam Boyce

DERRY City first team coach Andy Mitchell hailed star striker Liam Boyce after Friday’s emphatic 7-2 win over Waterford.

The Belfast man bagged a hat-trick at the Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium, while Michael Duffy and Gavin Whyte were also in spectacular form, much to Mitchell’s delight.

“Boycie was absolutely superb tonight,” he said, “some of his touches and some of his play was outstanding.

“The service to him was very good as well but I’m delighted for him. He’s probably had a stop-start time with us, scoring a few goals and then he went on a wee run of games when he didn’t score, but tonight he really showed what he’s all about.

“Mickey [Duffy] is a quality player, he’s a model pro and a great man to work with. He’s the first lad on the pitch and the last one off the training pitch every day, he looks after himself and you see that he’s really enjoying his football, playing with a smile on his face.

“He’s chipping in with goals, he’s now assisting in goals and hopefully we can keep Mickey doing what he can do.”

Mitchell was thrilled that the Candystripes maintained their recent good form and produced their most free-flowing performance of the season.

“The guys were buzzing in the changing room after the match.

“The boys had a real freedom to their play and they deservedly came in 4-0 up at half-time and although we conceded two goals, we kicked on again in the second half and did really well.”

As for Waterford manager John Coleman, he apologised to the travelling support following his side’s dreadful performance.

“I’ve been managing for 29 years and this has probably happened to me about three or four times. It’s a terrible thing, when you see it happening in front of your eyes and there’s not much you can do about it.

“I tried to do things and maybe I could have reacted a bit quicker, so I have to look at myself before I criticise my players. But there’s four basics in football – you have to be able to head it, you have to be able to tackle, you have to be able to run and you have to be able to pass. We did none of them tonight, and they did it in spades.”