A Look Back at Derry City's 2006 Squad

 

                               A Look Back at Derry City's 2006 Squad

It’ll be eighteen years this summer since Derry City’s fabled European odyssey of 2006. The words ‘Gothenburg’, ‘Gretna’ and ‘Paris Saint-Germain’ will get any City fan talking, whether they were there to experience it or not. That summer is spoken of like it was a dream – like it had to be seen to be believed. No Irish side had ever reached the promised land of European group stages, nor had the opportunity to touch the riches that would come with it. City finished the previous season in second place, losing the league on the final day in Turner’s Cross, where champions Cork City would triumph through a 2-0 win. This meant that Derry would enter the UEFA Cup in the First Qualifying Round, where they were drawn against Swedish side IFK Göteborg – the Swiss Allsvenskan’s runners up. Derry were underdogs, there’s no doubt about it. The Swedes had won the UEFA Cup twice during the 1980s and reached the semi-finals of the Champions League in 1993. No bother to the Candystripes though, who won 1-0 home and away through goals from Sean Hargan in Sweden and Stephen O’Flynn in the Brandywell. Scottish side Gretna lay in wait for City in the second round. They gained admission to the UEFA Cup after winning Scotland’s second tier by a margin of eighteen points to second placed Greenock Morton in the 2005/06 season. They also lost to Hearts of Midlothian in the final of that year’s Scottish Cup. Coming off the back of a 6-0 win over Hamilton Academical the weekend before Derry City came to visit, Gretna manager Rowan Alexander felt that City would be a decent Scottish Championship side. Alexander was made to swallow his words after the match though. A Darren Kelly header made it 1-1 going into half-time in the first round but a second hand masterclass saw midfield duo Kevin Deery and Ciarán Martyn bag braces – Derry went back to Ireland with a 5-1 lead going into the second leg. A 2-2 draw in the Brandywell led Derry City to the tie of their lives – a winner takes all first round proper clash with Paris Saint-Germain. The Parisians went physical in the Brandywell and were lucky to leave unscathed. City were denied a penalty which, in hindsight, looked stonewall. A looping shot from Killian Brennan was the width of the crossbar away from giving the City faithful a famous lead too. Goalless going into the second leg, a better result for Derry due to the lack of PSG away goal, Les Parisiens scored from two set plays in the Parc Des Princes – breaking Derry City hearts. A magnificent travelling support were greeted by the Paris ultras and sent those in attendance home with memories for a lifetime. 

Five years later, in 2011, Shamrock Rovers beat Partizan Belgrade to become the first Irish side to reach the Europa League group stages. Dundalk have repeated the feat twice since then too. Penalty shootout heartache against Tobol Kostanay last year stopped City from progressing to the play-off round of the UEFA Conference League – but it showed how much togetherness a European run can foster. Back to 2006 though and a League Cup and FAI Cup double constituted Derry’s most successful season since the treble winning one of 1989. Arguably, it should've been another treble win too. Shelbourne, who topped the Premier Division table in 2006 on goal difference alone, were demoted to the First Division for 2007 after financial irregularities. City gained Shels' Champions League qualifying spot, which turned out to be a 2-0 loss to FC Pyunik of Armenia, but weren't awarded the title. It was a special year nonetheless, so I’ve gone on a trip down memory lane to see what the DCFC alumni of that year got up to in the rest of their careers.

 

MANAGER:

Stephen Kenny: Tallaght-born Stephen Kenny made his League of Ireland debut as a player for Home Farm in March 1994. He made just three more appearances before taking up a coaching role at St Pat’s’ U21 side. At 26, Kenny was appointed manager of Longford Town in 1998 before becoming Bohemians' manager after a promotion, FAI Cup final and UEFA Cup qualification at Longford. He guided the Gypsies to a Premier Division title win in 2003 before taking over at Derry City in 2004. He turned the Candystripes into a title-challenging side, finishing second in the Premier Division in 2005 and 2006, including league cup wins in both years and an FAI Cup win in the latter. After a spell with Dunfermline in Scotland, Kenny returned to The Candystripes and won League Cups in 2008 and 2011, as well as the First Division in 2010. Kenny became manager at Dundalk after a year at Shamrock Rovers, leading the Lilywhites to four Premier Division titles, two FAI Cups, two League cups and UEFA Europa League group stage qualification before taking the Ireland U21s job in 2018. The Dublin native became manager of the men’s team in 2020 but, after failed qualification campaigns for the World Cup in 2022 and 2024 Euros, Kenny left the role in November of last year. 

 

GOALKEEPERS:

David Forde: A youth player at Belvedere, Forde made his debut for Galway United in 1999 before moving to Barry Town in Wales in 2001. A year later, West Ham United swooped to land the promising young keeper for £75k. Forde first moved to Derry City on loan before signing permanently in 2004. An ever-present between the sticks, Forde made 115 appearances in red and white, keeping 56 clean sheets. He signed for Cardiff City in the Championship on a free transfer at the end of the 2006 season but after failing to nail down a number one spot, he moved to Millwall in 2008 and made nearly 300 appearances before leaving in 2017. Forde made his Ireland debut in May 2011 in a 5-0 friendly win over Northern Ireland before becoming the country's oldest player to make a competitive appearance when he played against Sweden in a World Cup qualifier in 2013, aged 33. He was number one during the Euro 2016 qualification campaign but wasn’t named in the squad for the tournament in France. He retired in 2019 after a spell at Cambridge United.

Pat Jennings Jr.: Son of Pat Jennings Sr, who made over 100 appearances for Northern Ireland alongside spells at Watford, Spurs, Arsenal and Everton, Patrick Jr. spent his entire career in Irish football. Jennings moved to Derry City in 2004 after three seasons at UCD, rejecting offers to leave the club in order to become City’s number one goalkeeper following Forde’s departure in 2006. Jennings saved all three of Shelbourne’s penalties in the 2006 FAI Cup final and was number one in 2007, despite the signing of Ola Tidman. After spells at Sligo Rovers, Shamrock Rovers and Glenavon, he signed for Athlone Town in 2012 before becoming the goalkeeper coach at St. Pat’s – a role he still holds to this day.

 

DEFENDERS:

Darren Kelly: Beginning his career at Trojans, before signing for Derry City in 1996, centre-back Darren Kelly joined Roddy Collins at Carlisle United for a fee in the region of £100k in 2002. After being released two years and 42 appearances later, Kelly signed for Portadown before returning to Derry City in the search of professional football in 2006. In the summer of 2007, and after 227 appearances and 12 goals for Derry City, he signed for York City in the Conference League. Spells at Stalybridge Celtic, Garforth Town, Frickley Athletic and Scarborough Athletic followed before taking the reigns at Oldham Athletic in 2015. Now 44, Kelly is the sporting director at Hartlepool United after managerial roles at Halifax Town, Hyde United, Scarborough Athletic and Newport County.

Peter Hutton: Derry’s record appearance holder with 663 games in red and white, Hutton made his League of Ireland debut in March 1991. He captained the Candystripes to their most recent league title win in the 1996/97 season, playing in midfield. He spent a year at Portadown in 1998 and the 2002/03 season at Shelbourne in between two more spells at Derry. After a year at Cliftonville between 2010 and 2011, ‘Pizza’ retired at Finn Harps in 2011 – where he would spend two seasons as manager. He returned to Derry City as assistant manager to Roddy Collins in 2013 and became manager ahead of the 2014 season. Hutton, who was a caretaker manager with the Candystripes in 2004 and 2007, left his role as manager in September 2015.

Ken Oman: Another centre-back who spent his whole career in Ireland, Oman began his career with Bohemians in 2001. Stephen Kenny brought the Finglas man to the Brandywell ahead of the 2006 season where he formed a formidable partnership with Darren Kelly. He returned to Bohemians in 2008 after netting four times for Derry but left for rivals Shamrock Rovers in 2011. Spells at St. Pat’s and Portadown followed before his retirement in 2017.

Sean Hargan: A defensive stalwart at the Brandywell, Sean Hargan made 429 appearances for Derry City and scored 55 goals. Beginning as a striker, before moving to left-back where he is best remembered, Hargan scored against IFK Goteberg in the aforementioned 2006 UEFA Cup tie. After thirteen years playing for Derry, Hargan left for Crusaders in 2008 before retiring in 2009. He was appointed First Team Coach at Derry in Peter Hutton’s coaching staff in 2014.

Eddie McCallion: Eddie McCallion had the right-back spot at the Brandywell nailed down between signing from Blackburn Rovers in 1998 and his departure in 2012. ‘Steady Eddie’ often deputised at centre back, but offered an attacking option with his runs down the right flank. He made 537 appearances and scored three goals for his boyhood club. Another club legend, McCallion spent time at Glenavon and Bangor before retiring in 2015.

Clive Delaney: After five seasons at UCD, Clive Delaney signed for West Ham United in 2002. After failing to break into the first team, the big defender returned home to sign for St. Pat’s in 2003. Delaney came up north and signed for City in 2004, making 143 appearances in two spells before moving to Australia in 2010. He retired in 2007 after helping amateur side Dunbar Rovers reach the NSW NPL League and still lives in Sydney.

Mark McChrystal - The centre back began his career at Wolves but signed for Derry Cuty in 2003 after his release from Molineux. He went on to make 43 appearances before signing for Partick Thistle in 2007. McChrystal was released and re-joined Derry City later that year, making 58 appearances between then and winning the First Division in 2010. A period in England followed, which included 114 appearances for Bristol Rovers, alongside spells at Tranmere Rovers and Scunthorpe United. Crusaders signed the then 33 year old in 2017, before rejoining City yet again two years later. 127 appearances in all for the Candystripes, McChrystal is now on Ruaidhrí Higgins coaching staff at the Brandywell. 

 

MIDFIELDERS:

Barry Molloy: A stalwart in the Derry midfield for over a decade, Barry Molloy made 353 appearances for the Candystripes, netting 13 times along the way. The Derry-born midfielder began his career at Derby County before joining Drogheda United in 2004. A Candystripe legend, Molloy signed for City later that year before leaving for Crusaders in 2015. He hung up his boots in 2016, but came out of retirement to sign for Finn Harps in 2017. Molloy currently lives back in Derby.

Ciarán Martyn: Sligo born midfielder Ciarán Martyn signed for UCD in 1997 after coming through the Sligo Rovers youth ranks. Five years later, Martyn signed for Derry City and reportedly paid £8,000 to get out of a pre-contract agreement with Shelbourne. Seven years at the Brandywell followed, including a loan at Fredrikstad BK in 2007. Martyn made 286 appearances in red and white, scoring half a century of goals. He also bagged a brace against Gretna in Derry’s 2006 UEFA Cup run. He joined Glentoran in January 2010, before playing for Glenavon and Ballinamallard United.

Kevin Deery: Another club legend and another midfielder who scored twice against Gretna, Kevin Deery spent his whole career at Derry City. Appointed captain in 2010, a role which he held until 2014, Kevin Deery made 304 appearances for the Candystripes and scored 21 goals between 2001 and 2014. He began his managerial career with Trojans after retiring in 2014, and was appointed manager of Institute for the first time in 2015. After failing to win promotion and after a brief stint as assistant at Sligo Rovers, Deery was named assistant manager to Declan Devine at the Brandywell in 2018. He was appointed Institute manager again in 2023, with his side currently sitting top of the table in the PlayrFit Championship.

Killian Brennan: A talented midfielder who spent his whole senior career in the League of Ireland, Killian Brennan played for Home Farm and Peterborough United during his youth career. After less than a year at Dublin City, Brennan signed for Derry City in 2004, making 114 appearances and scoring nine goals in four seasons. He could play on the flank and at left-back, and also played for Bohemians, Shamrock Rovers, St. Patrick’s Athletic (in two separate spells) and Drogheda United (also in two spells) before leaving in 2018. Now 39, he plays for Glebe North FC in the Leinster Senior League.

Ruaidhrí Higgins: Another 39 year old former City midfielder, Limavady man Ruaidhrí Higgins joined Derry from Coventry City in 2004 after being released by the English side. He made 289 appearances and scored four goals between 2004 and 2013 at the Brandywell, either side of a season at Bohemians in 2010. He was reunited with Stephen Kenny in 2014 at Dundalk, before leaving for Coleraine a year later. Higgins retired and took up a coaching role with Dundalk in 2017 before leaving in 2020 to become an opposition analyst with the Republic of Ireland national team. Ruaidhrí Higgins is, of course, Derry City’s current manager and will hope to break Derry’s 27 year wait for a Premier Division title this season.

Paddy McCourt: The Derry Pelé made 80 appearances for Rochdale between 2001 and 2005 after being signed from Foyle Harps. A tricky winger who could play in attacking midfield, McCourt signed for Derry City in 2005 after a year at Shamrock Rovers. Eleven goals in 96 appearances caught the attention of Celtic, who signed McCourt for £200,000 in 2008. After five years at Parkhead, McCourt signed for Barnsley in the Championship in 2013. A year later he joined Brighton & Hove Albion, making 13 appearances before joining Notts County on loan in February 2015. After spells at Luton Town and Glenavon, McCourt signed for Finn Harps in 2017 and guided the Ballybofey side to promotion. He became Head of Youth structures at Derry City in 2018 and made 18 appearances for Northern Ireland between 2002 and 2015.

Neil McCafferty: Derry native Neil McCafferty came through the ranks at Charlton Athletic, from where he made loan moves to Cambridge United and Rushden & Diamonds. He signed for the latter permanently in 2005 but came home to join Derry City a year later. McCafferty was seen as a prospect in the City midfield but made just fourteen appearances before leaving for Grays Athletic in 2008. He most recently played for Warrenpoint Town in 2020, but had spells at Finn Harps, Dungannon Swifts, Portadown, Ballymena United and Coleraine.

Brian Cash: Dublin man Brian Cash began his career with Nottingham Forest in 1996. He made seven appearances at the City Ground, also appearing for Swansea City and Rochdale on loan. After a singular appearance for Bristol Rovers, he signed for Derry City in 2005 and played 35 times before joining Sligo Rovers in the summer of 2006. He retired in 2011 after spending time at St. Pat’s and Galway United, before opening a gym in Dublin with Pat Jennings Jr.  

 

FORWARDS:

Gareth McGlynn: At just 17 years old, Gareth McGlynn made his Derry City debut in 2001. He became the 100^th player to score for the club when he netted his first City goal against Shelbourne in April that year. The winger, who could also play in central midfield, made 357 appearances for Derry between 2001 and 2016. He signed for Bohemians in 2010, remaining in the Premier Division when Derry dropped to the First Division. After time in Australia, where he played for Stirling Lions, and in America where he played for Lansdowne Bhoys, McGlynn retired in 2016 after one final season with the Candystripes.

Gary Beckett: Enniskillen man Gary Beckett began his career at Omagh Town in the early 90s before signing for Coleraine in the summer of 1994. Eighteen months later and Felix Healy brought the striker to the Brandywell, where Beckett would become a fan’s favourite and score 55 times in 396 appearances before leaving for Finn Harps in 2007. He signed for Dungannon Swifts in 2009, before retiring aged 37 in July 2010.  

Mark Farren: City legend and all-time leading goal scorer Mark Farren played for Tranmere Rovers and Huddersfield Town during his youth career, prior to signing for Finn Harps in 2000. After just one appearance in Ballybofey, and seven in two years for Monaghan United, Farren joined the Candystripes in 2003. He was named PFAI Player of the Year for 2005 after registering 18 league goals in 31 games. Farren was instrumental in leading the line for Derry City when the Candystripes won the First Division in 2010 but was forced to put his career on hold due to a brain tumour. He returned to the squad in September 2011 and overtook Liam Coyle as the club’s top scorer with 113 goals in September 2012. Farren joined Glenavon in 2013 and netted ten goals in fifteen games in the NIFL Premiership. Farren sadly passed away in February 2016 and Derry City retired his iconic number 18 jersey in his honour.

Kevin McHugh: Killea man Kevin McHugh made his Finn Harps debut aged 17 in 1998, scoring 106 goals in 184 games before signing for Derry City in 2006. After two years and 22 goals, the striker signed for Linfield on a two-and-a-half year contract but, just 6 months into his contract he suffered a hamstring injury which he struggled to recover from – seeing McHugh back at Finn Harps ahead of the 2010 campaign. Six more years at Finn Harps followed, with his career eventually being cut short after a freak accident which saw him sever a finger at an underage coaching session in 2016. He is currently on Darren Murphy’s backroom team at Finn Harps and is seen as club legend for the Donegal side. 

Stephen O’Flynn: Mallow native Stephen O’Flynn played for eleven clubs during his career, starting out with Mallow United then Wimbledon in 1998. After two stints at Cork City, and a year at Limerick, the forward signed for Derry City in 2005. He scored thirteen goals in red and white, including the winner against IFK Goteborg in the second leg of the UEFA Cup first round tie in 2006, but was released when Pat Fenlon took over that December. O'Flynn was back up in the north-west in 2014 after coming out of retirement to sign for Institute. He won the NIFL Championship after scoring eight goals in ten games. This warranted a move to Crusaders, from where he was loaned to Ballinamallard United. He lined out for Donegal Celtic and Glentoran before retiring for good in 2018.

Pól O'Hare - 23rd January 2024