DERRY City defender Ronan Boyce is looking to make up for lost time as the Candystripes enter the final stretch of the league season.
The Ramelton man, who has missed the last few months with an ankle injury, is hoping to play a part in the title run-in, starting with a trip to relegated-threatened Drogheda United on Friday.
“It was nice to get back into the team after being out for two months with an ankle injury,” he explained.
“So I’m now delighted to be back, hopefully the injury is now behind me and I can focus on playing and helping out the team.”
During Boyce’s absence the rumour mill was in full flow that he had fallen out with City boss Ruaidhrí Higgins, but the player is laughing those reports off and now just can’t wait to get his game-time up as the Foylesiders target a Premier Division and FAI Cup double.
“People were saying stuff to me and sending me stuff, but I didn’t really pay much attention to it,” he stated.
“I knew myself why I wasn’t playing. It was because I was injured and to be honest I was just focused on getting back fit.
“These next couple of weeks are massive for the football club, the players, staff and the supporters, but it’s where you want to be as a footballer, you want to be involved in these big occasions and these big games. Hopefully we can get a bit of good form going into our remaining games.”
Like many observers, the 23-year-old believes the Premier Division is as competitive now as it has ever been. Boyce feels that every team has something to play for every week, whether it’s to avoid the drop, push for a European place or challenge for the title.
“This year has been madness to be fair,” he joked.
“I think on their day anybody can beat anybody in our division. It just shows you that all the teams are kind of more evenly balanced and every game is hell for leather, it’s so tough the Premier Division this year.
“I know a few people are saying that the standard is going down but I disagree with that. I just think a lot of the other teams have got better and to be honest that can only be good for the fans to see and for the league itself.
“Every week games can go either way and good luck trying to predict the results each week.”
Although the Candystripes sit a massive 21 points ahead of Kevin Doherty’s side, the Donegal native is expecting a hard test at Weavers Park on Friday evening and knows that strike duo Frantz Pierrot and Douglas James-Taylor are currently one of the in-form front-line pairings in the division.
“Away to Drogheda is always a tough game and Friday will be no different,” added Boyce.
“I’m not sure what our record is like down there, but I know since I’ve been playing against them it has always been a tough game and we won’t be taking anything for granted.
“They’ve had some really big results this year and the two boys up front - Pierrot and James-Taylor - are two really good players. They’ve really good players throughout their squad and they also have experience in the team.
“They, like ourselves, are in the FAI Cup semi-final as well, so they’ll have players fighting for places and giving it their all. But listen, we know ourselves how tough it’s going to be, but in saying that everyone in our dressing room is looking forward to the challenge.
