Ruaidhri Higgins cited several factors that helped Derry City secure their first FAI Cup in ten years as the Candystripes beat Shelbourne 4-0 at the Aviva Stadium.An early goal, the spine of the team full of experience, the athleticism of his players, their consistency throughout the season, and perhaps most notably the big grass pitch at Lansdowne Road.Derry dominated proceedings from the opening exchanges in the season-ending showpiece and while they could have taken the lead inside the opening 60 seconds, they deservedly went ahead in the 18th minute following an excellent move that ended with a fine Jamie McGonigle finish.Another moment of scintillating play down the opposite flank led to the second strike as Cameron McJannet started and finished a fine move.Shelbourne offered little in return and by the time the third goal arrived in the 61st minute, again McJannet taking the credit, the cup was already on its way back to Derry for the first time since the 2012 cup final when City beat St Patrick's Athletic in 2012."To win the cup is special but to win it in the manner that we won it is extra special," said the delighted Derry manager, speaking at the post match press conference."The early goal definitely helped.
I think the big open spaces for the pace of our front three caused them problems. I was delighted to see that first one hit the back of the net and we grew in confidence from that."You make decisions and sometimes it goes for you and sometimes it doesn’t.
But having the big grass pitch here, the size of it, the athletes that we have in the team ate the ground up and our top, top players came to the party today."We had more experience in our team.