John Quigg says there’s no reason that Derry City can’t continue their record of producing top players through their Ulster Senior League side.
Derry have seen a host of youngsters graduate from USL to senior level. A new term gets underway on Sunday when they host Fanad United in the Donegal News Ulster Senior League Cup.
Derry were USL champions in 2011 and were League Cup runners-up last season.
“We use it the right way,” Quigg says.
“The senior players who don’t play and the 17s and 19s play. The benefits we’ve seen have been absolutely fantastic.
“It benefits the Ulster Senior League and it definitely benefits Derry City. They’re playing against men and it’s fantastic for them.”
James McClean and Stephen McLaughlin both played for the Candystripes in the USL and are at Wigan Athletic and Southend United respectively, while Patrick McEleney, Michael Duffy (both Dundalk), Davy McDaid and Patrick McClean (both Waterford) are elsewhere in the League of Ireland.
Barry McNamee, Ronan Curtis, Ben Doherty, Conor McDermott and Rory Holden are among the others to have come through.
Quigg says: “The Ulster Senior League is the step between underage and senior level. Kenny (Shiels, Derry City first team manager) is at every game. He is an ardent supporter of it and they will move on.”
Listen to the full interview below …
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