Taking Institute back into top tier would be a career highlight: Daniel Lafferty

The 34-year-old’s wonder goal sealed Stute’s 1-0 win over Ballymena United in the Premiership Promotion/Relegation Play-Off first leg on Tuesday and he feels having teams playing in the Irish League and League of Ireland top flights would be great for the city of Derry.

“It’s a great achievement, in a geographical sense, if we could have two clubs in the north west competing in the top divisions,” he insisted.

“I don’t think many people gave Institute a chance this year, considering their season last year. They’ve kind of gone under the radar and put in the performances they had this season. We’ve got one game under our belt now. We know what’s required on Friday.

“But if we can go up it will definitely rank up there because it’s a personal achievement.

“You see the fans come out, all the local ones come out to support Stute, it’s all local lads in the team, so everyone wants us to do well. You see lots of family and friends and Derry City fans and players here. It’s great for the city.”

The ex-Burnley, Sheffield United and Rotherham United man insisted his 30-yard pile-driver ranks right up there with the best goals he has ever scored.

“That’s definitely up there,” he added. “Obviously it’s great to get on the scoresheet.

“In the lead up to the goal, Michael Harris burst clear and Jamie Dunne did well on the right-hand side, he cut back inside on his left and I gave him a shout, I think he probably fancied a cross or a shot but he heard the late shout and I got it out of my feet and just had a go at it.”

In recent games Lafferty has slotted into a midfield role, a position he admits he’s enjoying.

“It’s about getting as much experience on the pitch,” he explained. “Kevin (Deery) tried it on Friday night away at Portadown and it worked for us and we did the same here.

“Kevin just wanted me to go on there and battle, fight, try and make passes and get us playing. We definitely battled and fought more in the second half.

“We defended for our lives in the last 10-15 minutes, which I thought we did excellently.”

The former Derry City defender knows Friday’s second leg at the Showgrounds is going to be another close encounter.

“We’re not getting carried away, we know it’s only half the job done,” he insisted. “We recover now as a group and start preparing for Friday.

“Our away record has been very good and our defensive record has been very good too.

“We’ve seen what they can offer, especially in the first half.

“We are under no illusions that Friday night will be a tough night. We’ve seen in the last 15 boys putting their bodies on the line, blocking shots, stopping crosses and that’s going to be required all over again.”