Ruaidhri Higgins says a bit of local knowledge was key in landing hotshot Jamie McGonigle.
The Derry City manager also ‘thanked God’ that the 25-year-old still has three years left on his current contract.
McGonigle was the last gasp hero of Friday night’s 2-1 win over champions Shamrock Rovers, scoring a spectacular winner deep into injury-time at the Ryan McBride Brandywell.
McGonigle joined the Candystripes from Irish League club Crusaders last summer and played alongside Higgins during his time at Coleraine.
“He’s an absolutely brilliant centre-forward,” said Higgins.
“The fact that he was in the Irish League previously probably gave us the edge where we knew him, I knew him and I played with him.
“Thank God he’s got three years left on his contract.”
And returning Derry City star Patrick McEleney was also quick to praise the striker, who also scored a crucial equaliser in the 2-2 draw away to Dundalk on the opening night of the season.
“It was some goal,” said McEleney of the winning strike. “He’s been brilliant, to be fair.
“Last week [against Dundalk] he dug us out too when we weren’t playing so well. Jamie has been excellent, but I kind of knew he was good.
“I watched him last year and said to a few of my mates that just from playing against him he was strong and quick.
“It was probably his first year in a professional environment as well, so I think the only way was going to be up for him. He showed that in his first couple of games.”
McEleney knows Friday’s dramatic win will have Derry fans dreaming of a title challenge.
“It comes with the territory,” he said. “We have done our job tonight but it’s one game. There are a lot more to play and Rovers will know that too.”
The sold out signs were up at the Brandywell well in advance of Friday’s game and another bumper turnout is expected on Monday night against Sligo Rovers.
And that will give Higgins’ side a huge lift in their bid to challenge Shamrock Rovers over the course of a long campaign, according to McEleney.
“It was amazing,” he said. “There is no place like the Brandywell whenever it’s fun and you are doing well. But we have to play our part.
“That’s the way Derry is, they just live for football. I think it’s important that we play our part and I think we did that tonight.
“It’s a start. We can’t get too carried away. We’ve a match on Monday again.”
