Aaron McEneff understandably had mixed emotions after he helped his side secure a point late on against St. Patrick Athletic last Friday night. The 21-year-old scored in the closing moments of the game in what was his first game back after a persona
Aaron McEneff understandably had mixed emotions after he helped his side secure a point late on against St. Patrick Athletic last Friday night.
The 21-year-old scored in the closing moments of the game in what was his first game back after a personal bereavement and also the sudden death of his former Tottenham coach Ugo Ehiogu.
“It was a very big personal moment for me, it’s been a hard few weeks for me and my family but to score it brings back a lot of feelings and memories and obviously to help the team to a point as well was a special moment,” McEneff said.
Derry’s number six wasn’t originally supposed to start the game, but after pre-game injuries to Nathan Boyle and Nicky Low, his manager Kenny Shiels called upon McEneff and the midfielder showed his influence, getting the equalizer for the Foylersiders with less than 10 minutes to go.
“I had a few chances in the game and our team had a good few chances, but I saw it go over the top and I’ve seen the play develop and Conor (McDermott) has just toe-poked it to me.
“I’ve tried to aim for the back post across the keeper and I think it went through a few legs and it went into the net, but we’ll take it,” McEneff said.
The midfielder also believed that the Candystripes were the better side during the game but admitted his side needs to be more clinical in front of goal.
“I think in the first half we were the better team and probably in the second half as well.
“We just give away two goals and I think if the statistics are right we had something like 16 or 18 shots.
“They’ve really got two or three chances and they’ve taken theirs and it’s the same again we haven’t taken ours.
“I think we need to look at that and be more ruthless in front of goal,”
It was the seventh game in a row that Kenny Shiels and his side came away without a victory, but McEneff was positive his side's luck was about to change for the better.
“I think it has to turn at some stage,” McEneff admitted
“We play good football and we obviously create a lot of chances, so I think when the chances going in then things are going to turn for us, but all we can do is keep working hard as a team and keep plugging away and we’ll get the rewards.”
Derry City’s next game comes at Maginn Park this Friday night against Bohemians. (KO 7.45pm)
