The Isle of Man FA’s men’s side were beaten 2-0 by Derry City at a freezing Bowl on Wednesday evening.

Goals in each half from Aidy Delap and Patrick McClean gave the League of Ireland side victory in a game of few chances at the national stadium.

FA manager Paul Jones was pleased with his side’s performance in the narrow defeat saying after the match: ’I want to get over the fact a load of amateur players from the Isle of Man, who by the way treat themselves and work like professionals, just ran a professional League of Ireland side really close.

’I’m exceptionally proud of the squad. We competed really well and had good shape and organisation.

’All 19 players we used tonight showed that they can contribute at this level of football.’

Derry City manager Declan Devine was also complimentary of the island side adding: ’It was a really difficult game for us. I was really impressed by the Isle of Man. I was really impressed by their shape and the way their management set them up.

’I also thought their commitment and technical ability were really good and they certainly caused us problems, more problems than we have experienced in our last couple of pre-season games.’

Listen to the full interviews with Jones and Devine in this week’s Manx Footy Podcast, online at audiobook.com/channel/manxfootball tomorrow, Thursday.