City duo are on O’Neill’s radar

The former Shamrock Rovers manager talked about the duo prior to tonight’s friendly international against Norway, with ex-Brandywell favourites Paddy McCourt and Niall McGinn both in his squad, along with Eglinton man Shane Ferguson.

In fact, O’Neill admitted the duo may have been in his squad for the Norway game but they haven’t played much football lately and that is what cost them.

“Of course some of the Derry-based and former Derry City players were a temptation because they are good players,” stated the Northern Ireland gaffer.

“Danny Lafferty is coming off the back of a full season in the League of Ireland and gone to England in the middle of Burnley’s season.

“He may take just a little longer to adapt but once he does, he will have a part to play for Northern Ireland.

“Gerard Doherty is also someone I have spoken to and he is very much on the radar.

“What counted against him this time is that Derry City are still in pre-season whereas the three goalkeepers I have named in my squad - Lee Camp, Alan Mannus and Michael McGovern - are all playing first-team football at the minute.”

As for Doherty he admits a call-up would be nice and also understands why he didn’t make the Northern Ireland squad for this evening’s friendly.

“I spoke to Michael (O’Neill) down at the awards dinner in Dublin recently and I had a good chat with him, he seemed positive about coming to some matches this season and it would be nice to see him at the Brandywell,” explained the City keeper.

“Of course I want international recognition, because whenever you see boys getting away and boys doing so well for their clubs and then getting that recognition, then it’s always something to aim for and always something any player would want to do.”

“I think from last year I think Michael knows what kind of a player I am and what I’m capable of and I think there are a few players here that are definitely at the back of his mind.

“I also feel with Rory Patterson now here as well I would say that he’ll be down here and having a look at him.

“You can understand why he hasn’t put me in the squad for tonight’s game because I haven’t played competitive games apart from the two Setanta Cup matches, but as I have said hopefully he will be down at the Brandywell in the early part of the season and then we’ll see where it goes from there.”

With Northern Ireland kicking their 2014 World Cup qualifying campaign away to Russia in September, they will also come up against the likes of Portugal and Israel, games Doherty would love to be involved in.

“To be honest you can’t look to far ahead but it’s definitely something to aim for and if you are playing well for your club, which is the main aim then hopefully you would get a wee bit of international recognition,” concluded the former TNS shot-stopper.

Only last year local Northern Ireland supporters were disappointed that former boss Nigel Worthington failed to recognise players from the city when the aforementioned duo in particular were performing so well for their club.

A lot of fans felt the powers that be at the Irish Football Association over the years have failed to cast their net around the North West region and this move from O’Neill may prove to be positive for future talented players from the area.