Winger Darragh Burns states that Derry City can’t dwell on their European adventure ending and quickly turn their attention to finishing the season strongly, starting with Sunday’s clash against St Patrick’s Athletic (KO 5pm).

Tiernan Lynch’s side will feel their European experience this campaign will be a case of what might have been, after suffering a narrow 1-0 home defeat to HNK Rijeka in the UEFA Conference League on Thursday night, losing 2-0 on aggregate to the Croatian’s.

Derry certainly had their chances in both legs against Rijeka and they also had CSKA Sofia on the rocks in their Europa League games, but regardless the Foylesiders suffered four European defeats and now much pick up the pieces for the remainder of the season.

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The 23-year-old, who is in line to start against his former club at Richmond Park, believes the City squad is good enough to push up the league and still harbour hopes of them returning to the European stage next season.

“We still have so much to play for and for us to continue our European campaign this season was always going to be a big ask, but look it’s done now and we have to go again,” he insisted.

“Sunday is a massive game for us and I think the St Pat’s match can be a kickstart to the second half of the season, which is needed.

“We need to start climbing up the table and try to get into those European spot, to set us up for next year and that’s what we want as a group and as a whole club, so it’s now just all about focusing on St Pat’s.

“There’s still a lot of games to go and if we can put a run together then I think we can turn the season around and there’s no reason why we can’t do that, because the quality is in the dressing room.

“We’ve some really, really good players and look it starts on Sunday. The European thing is done now, we’re obviously disappointed with the Rijeka lost, but we can’t dwell on it.

“As I said we still have a lot of league games remaining and the FAI Cup is still there, so there’s still so much to play for.”

Stephen Kenny’s side currently sit in second spot and Burns know it’s going to be tough against the Saints.

“Look, St Pat’s are a good side, they have a good manager and good players,” he explained.

“Richmond is never an easy place to go to, obviously I played there for a good couple of years, I had a good time there and I enjoyed my time there, but they’ll be ready, especially as they’ve had a longer break than us, I think they’ll have nine days rest and preparation for the game, while we obviously played on Thursday, so yeah, it’s going to be tough, but we have to be ready.

“We have to go to Richmond Park and try to win the game, get three points and that’s what we’ll be aiming to do.”

Burns, who signed from Grimsby Town only a few weeks ago, is itching to get more game time, but also concedes he’s still a bit away from most of his team-mates in terms of fitness.

“To be honest, it’s a tricky one, because the English season and the Irish season are obviously opposite and I was on my off-season break, while the league here is in full swing, with half the season already played,” he conceded.

“Obviously I’m working hard in training, but the staff knew when I signed that it would probably take me a couple of weeks to get going, but look, I’m ready, and the best way to get fit is by playing games and getting minutes under the belt, so when I’m called upon and needed I’ll be ready.”

The ex-Shamrock Rovers man knows every League of Ireland player love to play in European fixtures and Burns is no different.

“Look, European football is massive for the club, the Brandywell rocking and European nights are special,” he added.

“I think for clubs in Ireland, European matches are magical nights and you want them every year. You want to try and push yourselves to go further and further in all European competitions.

“We knew Thursday night was going to be tough, these European games are always tough.

“Rijeka are a good side, but obviously they had a 1-0 lead going into the second leg and that was a big plus for them, but look we need to dust ourselves down and go again on Sunday.

“We have to have full focus on the league now and try to climb into those European positions.”

Meanwhile, elsewhere in the Premier Division on Sunday, Waterford entertain Shelbourne and Galway United travel to Bohemians.

Tomorrow sees a full First Division schedule down for decision, with leaders Cork City hosting Athlone Town; Patrick McEleney’s Finn Harps travel to Longford Town; Kerry entertain Cobh Ramblers; second-placed Bray Wanderers make the trip to Wexford and UCD have home advantage over Treaty United.