Ruaidhrí Higgins

Ruaidhrí Higgins (born 23 October 1984) is a Northern Irish professional football manager and former player, he has been the manager of Derry City F.C. since April 2021.

Ruaidhrí Higgins
Personal information
Date of birth (1984-10-23) 23 October 1984
Place of birth Limavady, Northern Ireland
Position(s) Midfielder
Youth career
Newtown YFC
2000–2004 Coventry City
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2004–2009 Derry City 188 (2)
2010 Bohemians 24 (3)
2011–2013 Derry City 70 (1)
2014–2015 Dundalk 23 (0)
2015–2016 Coleraine 43 (0)
Total 358 (6)
International career
2003–2004 Northern Ireland U21 2 (0)
2011 League of Ireland XI
Managerial career
2017–2020 Dundalk (assistant coach/analyst)
2020–2021 Republic of Ireland (chief scout)
2021– Derry City
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Career

Higgins, who was born in Limavady, Northern Ireland, began his career at the youth club, Newtown Y.F.C. before being signed by Coventry City in 1998. Higgins signed for Derry City after being released by Coventry City. He made his debut at home against Drogheda United on 14 October 2004. During his time at the Brandywell he won five trophies and played in five European ties.

After Derry City's League of Ireland contract was terminated - after the club admitted holding secondary, unofficial contracts with players - the FAI announced all of the club's players could quit the club. Now a free agent, Higgins had a trial with Aberdeen on 30 November 2009 but manager Mark McGhee reneged on his contract.

Higgins signed for Bohemians in January 2010.[1] After breaking into Pat Fenlon's starting XI, he scored his first league goal for the club on 3 May with the winner against Drogheda United.[2] However, some poor performances saw him regularly start matches on the substitute's bench and he failed to make an impact as Bohs relinquished their league title on goal difference. During the close season of 2010, Higgins was linked with a move back to his former club Derry City.[3]

Higgins re-signed for Derry City in January 2011.

Higgins was released by Derry City at the end of the 2013 season.

On 14 January 2014, Higgins completed a move to Dundalk which saw him re-united with former manager Stephen Kenny.[4]

Higgins then moved to NIFL Premiership side Coleraine and upon leaving the club in 2017,made the decision to retire and take up a coaching role at Dundalk.[5]

In May 2020, Higgins left Dundalk to link up once again with Stephen Kenny, this time with the Republic of Ireland national football team as an opposition analyst.[6]

On 23 April 2021 Higgins was appointed Derry City manager on a 3-and-a-half year contract. [7]

On 13 November 2022 Higgins won his first trophy in management when he led Derry City to a record win in the 2022 FAI Cup Final.[8] He followed this up by winning the 2023 President of Ireland's Cup for the first time in the club’s history.

Managerial statistics
As of match played 20 October 2023
Team Nation From To Record
G W D L F A Gd Win %
Derry City  Ireland 23 April 2021 Present 118583624195108+8749.57
Total 118583624195108+8749.57

Honours

Player
Derry City
Bohemians
Dundalk

Manager
Derry City

References
  1. Higgins signs for Bohs
  2. "RTÉ Sport: Bohemians 1-0 Drogheda United". RTÉ.ie. Archived from the original on 6 May 2010. Retrieved 6 May 2010.
  3. Kenny interested in Higgins return
  4. "Dundalk add to squad with Ruaidhri Higgins signing". rte.ie. 14 January 2014. Retrieved 14 January 2014.
  5. "Ex Derry City midfielder Ruaidhri Higgins hangs up his boots to take up coaching role at Dundalk | Derry Now". Archived from the original on 22 April 2017.
  6. "Ruaidhri Higgins leaves Dundalk to join Stephen Kenny's backroom team".
  7. "Higgins Takes Charge". 23 April 2021.
  8. "Derry City outclass Shelbourne to lift the FAI Cup". 13 November 2022.

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