A Deep Dive into Derry City's 2022 Squad

 

Derry City’s 2022 Team: Where are they now?

 

Following a start to the season which saw Derry City bottom after six games in 2021, Ruaidhrí Higgins replaced Declan Devine as manager at the Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium. The Limavady man’s arrival saw a new dawn for the club, who finished 2021 in fourth place and secured European football. 2022 was Higgins’ first full year as manager of Derry City, and it didn’t end too badly either. The Candystripes lifted the FAI Cup in November with a record breaking 4-0 win over Shelbourne in the final, as well as finishing second in the league. That season began less than three years ago, but with Tiernan Lynch’s reign opening a new chapter for City, I’ve had a look at the squad of 2022 to see how their careers panned out before and after joining the Candystripes. I’ll begin with the squad for the first game of the season, a 2-2 away draw with Dundalk in February.

 

BRIAN MAHER: A product of St Kevin’s Boys and St. Patrick Athletic’s youth academies, Brian Maher spent two years at Bray Wanderers in 2020 and 2021, making almost fifty appearances before his 21^st birthday. One of the most promising young keepers in Ireland, Maher made more than thirty appearances in Ireland’s U17s, U19s and U21s. City signed Brian Maher ahead of the 2022 season, immediately becoming the club’s first choice stopper thanks to his range of passing, comfort on the ball and reaction saves. After making more than 100 appearances for Derry City and keeping the most clean sheets in the Premier Division in both 2022 and 2023, Maher signed a two-year contract extension in December 2024, keeping him at the Brandywell until 2026. His re-signing was a statement of intent from Tiernan Lynch, committing Maher to the Cansystripes despite interest from Scottish clubs and Shamrock Rovers.

CIARÁN COLL: Versatile defender Ciarán Coll spent a year at Hearts of Midlothian in 2008 after starting out with Kildrum Tigers, before returning home to join Finn Harps in 2009. The Letterkenny native was key to the Finn Harps defence for the best part of a decade, making almost 300 appearances and taking the captain’s armband. He crossed the north-west divide in 2019, when Declan Devine brought him to the Brandywell. Reliable and consistent at both left back and centre back, Ciarán Coll was a key part of the Derry City squad for five seasons, making 170 appearances in red and white. Declan Devine, now manager of Glentoran, once again snapped up the 33 year old on a two-and-a-half year contract following the expiration of his contract with Derry in November 2024.

CAMERON MCJANNET: Milton Keynes native Cameron McJannet spent almost a decade at Luton Town as a youngster before signing for Stoke City in 2016. Despite a loan at Curzon Ashton during the 2018-19 season, McJannet was released in 2020 and joined Derry City on a free transfer in August, going on to make 142 appearances at left-back at centre-back. One of the best defenders in the Premier Division, McJannet made more than 50 appearances as City captain in his almost four year spell at the club. Now 26, McJannet assisted Danny Mullen for a 95^th minute winner away to Bohemians in June 2024 on his last appearance for the club. He joined Grimsby Town later that month, as Derry City cashed in on a much-fancied player whose contract expired at the end of the year. McJannet has since made 25 appearances in League Two, and City’s failure to truly replace him likely factored in their failure to win the league or cup in 2024. He recently scored his first league goal for Grimsby when he opened the scoring against Port Vale in late December, before going on to pick up the Man of the Match award in a 3-0 victory.

EOIN TOAL: Centre back Eoin Toal made his debut for Armagh Town at 16 years of age in 2015 and made more than 50 appearances for the club before Kenny Shiels brought him to Derry City in 2017. He became a Candystripe regular in 2018 and was made captain in 2021, going to on to make 155 appearances as he grew to become one of the most impressive defenders in Ireland. A regular in Northern Ireland’s U19 and U21 set-ups during his time at Derry, Toal played through the pain barrier of an ankle injury to make his last appearance for City away to Riga FC in Latvia in the UEFA Conference League in July 2022. Later that month, Toal joined League One side Bolton Wanderers for an undisclosed transfer fee, believed to be around €100,000 including add-ons. He has since made over 70 appearances for Bolton, including starting the 2023 EFL Trophy final in which Wanderers beat Plymouth Argyle 4-0. He signed a contract extension until 2027 last year and broke into the Northern Ireland senior team in 2023.

CAMERON DUMMIGAN: Lurgan man Cameron Dummigan left Cliftonville as a 16 year old in 2012 to sign for Burnley, failing to make a senior appearance for the Clarets despite being named on the bench in the Premier League. A loan spell to League One side Oldham Athletic in 2015-16 saw him make 26 appearances before signing permanently ahead of the 2016-17 season. Naturally a right-back but more than adept in defensive midfield, the 18 time Northern Ireland U21 international joined League of Ireland champions Dundalk in 2019, where he picked up four trophies in three seasons. Dummigan was a statement signing for Derry City ahead of the 2022 campaign and was integral to the side, earning an inclusion in the PFAI Team of the Year alongside winning his second FAI Cup. Despite injury hit 2023 and 2024 seasons, Dummigan signed a two-year contract extension keeping him on Foyleside until 2026, staving off interest from Linfield in the Irish League.

CIARON HARKIN: Signed by Declan Devine alongside Ciarán Coll ahead of the 2019 season, Ciaron Harkin quickly established himself as a fan favourite at the Brandywell due to his dogged nature in the midfield of the park. A youth player at the Candystripes, the Creggan man impressed at Institute between 2015 and 2017, causing fellow Co. Derry side Coleraine to sign him January 2017. Harkin was central to the Bannsiders’ side which won their sixth Irish Cup in 2018, and their first since 2003. He was closing in on 100 appearances for Derry City when he picked up an ACL tear at home to Shamrock Rovers in February 2022. Later that year, the midfielder aggravated the injury during rehab – a heartbreaking setback which saw him miss the entirety of the 2023 season. Harkin made just four appearances for Derry in the summer of 2024 as he continued towards full fitness, before rejoining Coleraine on loan – where he has since surpassed a century of appearances. With a contract running until the end of 2025, the 28 year old will hope to return to City’s first team set up upon his return from Coleraine in January.

DANNY LAFFERTY: Danny Lafferty joined Celtic in 2006 from Oxford United, also playing for Ayr United on loan. He signed for Derry City in 2010 after being released by Celtic and made 12 appearances as the Candystripes won the First Division. After a further 34 appearances in red and white, Championship side Burnley snapped up the left-back for £150,000 and gave him the number 3 shirt. He made 40 appearances for the Clarets, also playing for Rotherham United, Oldham Athletic and Sheffield United on loan. Sheffield signed him permanently in 2017 and loaned him to Peterborough United in 2019. He returned to Ireland that summer, signing for Shamrock Rovers. Lafferty won the FAI Cup that November, and the Premier Division title in 2020. Declan Devine brought him back to Derry ahead of the 2021 season, before Lafferty left for Sligo Rovers in 2023 after winning the FAI Cup with his hometown club in 2022. Aged 35, the former Northern Ireland international currently lines out for Ballymena United after playing the second half of the 2023/24 season at Institute.

WILL PATCHING: Stockport native Will Patching joined the Manchester City academy at just six years of age, spending fourteen years there before joining Notts County in 2018. During his time in Manchester, Patching made 25 appearances for England’s youth teams, representing his country at the U17 World Cup in Chile in 2015. Patching played with Phil Foden, Chelsea’s Jadon Sancho, and Real Madrid’s Brahím Diaz whilst at Manchester City and Trent Alexander-Arnold, Sporting Lisbon winger Marcus Edwards and Leicester City’s Stephy Mavididi with England. He struggled to nail down a spot at Notts County before signing for Dundalk in 2020. Patching shone whilst on loan at Derry City in the first half of the 2021 season, before scoring in both legs of Dundalk’s qualifiers and play-offs for the UEFA Conference League after returning to the club in July. Patching joined Derry City permanently in 2022, proving to be one of the most exciting midfielders in the league as he contributed to 68 goals in 130 appearances. In fact, Derry City never lost in a match that Will Patching scored in. His highlights reel makes for great viewing, but an injury-hit 2024 saw the 26 year old leave Ireland at the end of the season, signing for League Two’s bottom side Carlisle United in January on a two-and-a-half year deal.

JOE THOMSON: A youth player for both Rangers and Celtic, Paisley native Joe Thomson made his professional debut and only appearance for Celtic in a 3-1 victory away to Dundee United in August 2015. The midfielder, who has a rocket of a right foot, left Celtic in 2018 to sign for Dunfermline Athletic following loans to Dumbarton, Queen of the South and Livingston. Aged just 21, Thomson was named Fans Player of the Year in his first season at Dunfermline but was released in May 2020 as the COVID pandemic hit the club’s finances. Derry City swooped to land the Scotsman, who scored against FK Riteriai on his UEFA Europa League debut as the Candystripes lost in extra-time. With game-time limited in the second half of the 2022 campaign, Thomson bowed out with an FAI Cup triumph as he was included in the swap deal along with Micháel Glynn to sign Ben Doherty from Larne. After ten goals in 79 appearances at Derry, Thomson won back-to-back NIFL Premierships in 2023 and 2024 with Larne, alongside contributing to their run to become the first ever Northern Irish side to qualify for European group-stages when they made it to the UEFA Conference League league-phase in 2024.

BRANDON KAVANAGH: City signed Dubliner Brandon Kavanagh from Shamrock Rovers prior to the 2022 season. The winger came through the ranks at Bray Wanderers before signing for Bohemians in 2016 and, after impressing back on loan at Bray in 2021 alongside Brian Maher, Ruaidhrí Higgins swooped to sign the then 21 year old on a three year contract. A versatile midfielder who can play in both the number 10 slot and on either wing, Kavanagh failed to nail down a starting berth at the Brandywell. He made more than 70 appearances in red and white, scoring ten goals, before transferring to St. Pat’s ahead of the 2024 season for a fee of around €25,000. Kavanagh had a stellar season in Inchicore and has shone under Stephen Kenny as Pat’s went unbeaten in their last eleven league games to leapfrog Derry City and finish third in the Premier Division. To rub salt into the City wounds, it was Kavanagh’s goal which denied the Candystripes the chance to win the league going into the final game. The 24 year old finished 2024 with twelve assists in the league, as well as six goals, topping the assist chart for the Premier Division.

JAMIE MCGONIGLE: Dungiven native Jamie McGonigle was Ruaidhrí Higgins’ marquee signing in the summer of 2021. He left Dungiven Celtic for Coleraine in 2014, making his debut in 2015 and scoring more than 50 goals before joining Crusaders in 2019 for a then Northern Irish record transfer of £60,000 – breaking a 21 year record. At Coleraine, McGonigle won the Irish Cup alongside fellow Derry teammate Ciaron Harkin in 2017-18 and scored 16 in the league as the Bannsiders finished second. Derry City splashed the cash to land McGonigle for a rumoured fee of £35,000 in June 2021, a worthwhile price as he scored eight goals in seventeen to help City to a fourth-placed finish. 2022 saw McGonigle given the number nine shirt as he became the first Derry player since Alex Krstic in 1986 to score in five games in a row. That fifth goal was a stoppage time winner into the top corner against Shamrock Rovers, showing that Derry meant business in the title race. After bagging a hattrick in a 7-1 win over UCD in April 2022, and a brace in a 4-0 win away to St Pat’s a week later, McGonigle only scored two more league goals all season as City’s title hopes died out. He did, however, net in four of Derry City’s five FAI Cups games, including the opener in the final. 2023 saw McGonigle bag five goals in 29 games in all competitions, as he left Derry City in early 2024 with two years left on his contract to rejoin Coleraine – allowing the Candystripes to land Pat Hoban. He has since scored 12 goals for Coleraine in less than a year – taking his haul for the Bannsiders to 69 goals as he approaches 200 appearances in blue and white.

SUBSTITUTES

NATHAN GARTSIDE: After overcoming serious illness while on the verges of the Watford first team, Nathan Gartside signed for Derry City in the summer of 2018 to rival Gerard Doherty for the number one spot. Once back-up to Heurelho Gomes at Watford, who he joined from Institute as a 16 year old, Gartside became City’s first choice keeper ahead of the 2021 season after being utilised mostly as a cup goalkeeper in his first two-and-a-half years. He made 46 appearances for Derry and broke into the Northern Ireland U21 side in 2019. A paperwork error denied him a call-up to the senior team after he was named in the squad for World Cup qualifiers against Italy and Bulgaria in 2021 after an impressive season as Derry’s number one. Following the arrival of Brian Maher, Gartside made just two appearances in 2022 and moved to Cliftonville in July of that year. Despite a positive start in Belfast, former St. Pat’s and Drogheda United goalkeeper David Odumosu was preferred to the former Watford man in goal. After making 54 appearances for the Reds, including the majority of the 2024 Irish Cup final which Cliftonville would go on to win 3-1 in extra-time, Gartside left to join Loughgall, who currently find themselves rooted to the foot of the Premiership table. The 26 year old was recently named the NIFL Premiership Player of the Week after saving two penalties away to Carrick Rangers in mid-December.

PATRICK MCELENEY: Originally coming through the ranks at Foyle Harps, Patrick McEleney joined Sunderland in 2008 before coming home to sign for Stephen Kenny’s Derry City ahead of the 2010 campaign. After winning the First Division in 2010 and FAI Cup in 2012, and despite interest from England, Kenny brought McEleney to Dundalk ahead of the 2016 season. Ten trophies, including three Premier Division titles and an inclusion in the 2016 PFAI Team of the Year followed, either side of a nine game spell at Oldham Athletic in England. The midfielder also played a part in both of Dundalk’s Europa League campaigns in 2016 and 2020, before being brought back to the Brandywell ahead of the 2022 campaign. McEleney surpassed the 300 appearance mark in red and white back in October 2024, playing in two cup finals in his three seasons back in Derry, winning in 2022 but coming off injured and losing in his ninth cup final of his career in 2024. That loss against Drogheda United also drew his Derry City playing career to a close, as he joined Ballymena United in November. The 32 year old has, however, been linked with a return to City in a coaching capacity.

SHANE MCELENEY: Derry man Shane McEleney rejoined Derry City in 2022 alongside his brother Patrick, after first signing a professional deal with the club under Stephen Kenny in 2010. After five years with the Candystripes, in which he won a First Division title, League Cup and FAI Cup, the big centre half joined St. Patrick’s Athletic in 2015. He picked up back-to-back League Cups in Inchicore, leaving to join Ottawa Fury in America in late 2016. A year later and McEleney had returned back to Ireland, first spending two years at Larne before signing for Finn Harps in 2020. Signed to provide cover to City’s back-line, he was part of the tightest defence in the Premier Division in both 2022 and 2023, picking up the second FAI Cup of his career in doing so. Coming 34 in January, McEleney was announced as a new signing by Glentoran in the NIFL Premiership in December 2024.

JAMES AKINTUNDE: A cult hero at the Brandywell, English striker James Akintunde played most of his early career in the English National League. Declan Devine brought Akintunde to the Brandywell from Maidenhead United in July 2020. After scoring on his debut against St. Pat’s, he went on to find the net eleven more times for City before leaving after the cup final triumph of 2022. He chose to sign for Bohemians in 2023, scoring six goals under Alan Reynolds after leaving the Brandywell for Dalymount. The Englishman scored the winner for Bohs against Derry in March 2024, but stoppage time winners against Bohemians and Finn Harps were highlights of the 28 year old’s time on Foyleside. Akintunde recently left Bohs following the expiration of his contract and could prove a wise pickup for a League of Ireland side in search of a striker.

JACK MALONE: A product of Derry City’s academy, midfielder Jack Malone netted his first City goal in July 2019 when he fired in a strike from distance to seal a 3-0 win at home to Sligo Rovers. He featured in all eighteen Premier Division games during the COVID struck 2020 season, before playing a large part in during the 2021 campaign. The strong midfield additions ahead of the 2022 season saw Malone’s gametime limited to just three appearances in Ruaidhrí Higgins first full season, opening the door for him to leave for Glenavon in August. Then 22, the Derry man made the deep-midfield role his own, taking the number 8 shirt. Malone was named Glenavon’s Player of the Year in 2023-24 – a testament to his performances in the NIFL Premiership as he approaches ninety appearances in two-and-a-half years.

CAOIMHIN PORTER: Derry man Caoimhin Porter spent time at Ballymoor and Trojans before joining Derry City’s academy, eventually making his debut for City as a nineteen year old in April 2021. That was an eight minute cameo against Shamrock Rovers, where he replaced fellow academy graduate Brendan Barr. Porter had to wait until September of 2021 for his next senior appearance, when he came on for Ronan Boyce in a 3-0 home win over Longford Town. 2022 saw marginally more time in the first team for the right back, who impressed going forward as well as in defence. He assisted two of Derry’s three goals in a 3-2 win against Bohemians in Dalymount Park in July, one week after completing ninety minutes in the 1-0 away victory over UCD. The full back spent the 2023 campaign on loan at Finn Harps in the First Division, gaining experience by making thirty appearances as the Donegal side’s first choice right back. Porter joined Institute following the expiration of his contract with Derry in January 2024, and has made 33 appearances for Stute, scoring three times – including a half-volley which clipped the crossbar before going in to open the scoring in a 3-1 win over Bangor in December.

ORRIN MCLAUGHLIN: A youth player at Foyle Harps, Orrin McLaughlin joined Derry City’s U19 squad in 2019. The midfielder, who was part of the Enda McGuill Cup winning side of 2021 alongside the aforementioned Caoimhin Porter, made the bench for the senior team on seven occasions between 2020 and 2022 but never made a competitive appearance. McLaughlin joined Institute permanently in August 2022, playing more than sixty games before leaving for Dergview in the summer of 2024. The 21 year old recently signed for Portstewart FC, who are managed by his former coach at both Derry City and Institute, Mo Mahon.

LIAM MULLAN: After leaving Maiden City to join the Candystripes’ U17 side in 2021, Liam Mullan was awarded with a three year professional contract ahead of the 2022 campaign. Making the bench in 29 of City’s 36 league games in 2022, Mullan was loaned to Institute ahead of the 2023-24 NIFL Championship campaign. Making 33 appearances in all competitions for Stute, Mullan’s Derry contract was extended in July 2024, keeping the 20 year old at the Brandywell until 2027. He recently returned to City after a loan spell with NIFL Premiership newcomers Portadown FC, where he has made thirteen appearances in the league and cup. With almost fifty senior games under his belt, Mullan may see gametime under Tiernan Lynch in the coming seasons.

GERARD STOREY: Belfast born midfielder Gerard Storey was signed by Derry City in August 2021 after impressing boss Ruaidhrí Higgins in a friendly when he was on the opposing side, in Cliftonville colours. After making his debut for Portadown at sixteen, he left in 2019 to join League One side Portsmouth, before going on loans to Gosport Borough and Carrick Rangers. Storey made one appearance for Portsmouth, as a substitute in a 3-0 EFL Trophy win over Cheltenham Town, before joining the Candystripes. With just three appearances in a year on Foyleside, he returned to Belfast to sign for Cliftonville. He made a further three appearances for the Reds, before loans to Annagh United and Lisburn FC. Aged 22, Storey now lines out for Newington and recently scored a 93^rd minute winner against Institute in the NIFL Championship.

OTHER SIGNINGS AND APPEARANCES

MICHAEL DUFFY: A product of Derry City’s youth academy, Michael Duffy broke into the first team at the Brandywell as an exciting winger back in 2012. After goals in the Europa League, and a hat-trick on his 20^th birthday, Duffy signed for Celtic in 2015 before joining Alloa Athletic that summer on loan. An equaliser against Rangers and a winner against Hibernian saw him loaned to Dundee in 2016. Duffy was back in Ireland with Dundalk ahead of the 2017 season, where he won eight trophies and the PFAI Players Player of the Year award in 2018. He featured in the Europa League group stages in 2020 and rejoined Derry ahead of the 2021 campaign, where he is approaching the 50 goal mark in more than 160 games as a Candystripe. The 2022 FAI Cup triumph was Duffy’s eighth career trophy and his first at his hometown club. Highlights of his second spell at the Brandywell include winners against KuPS in the UEFA Conference League in 2023 and an FAI Cup semi-final brace away to Bohemians to send City to the final in 2024.

MARK CONNOLLY: Centre back Mark Connolly cost Bolton Wanderers £1m when they signed him from Wolves back in 2010, although the Clones man failed to break into the senior team. He made 175 appearances for Crawley Town between 2012 and 2019, either side of a two year spell at Kilmarnock. Dundee United swooped for Connolly in January 2019, where he played with current Derry City winger Paul McMullan. After a loan at Dunfermline Athletic, Connolly joined Dundalk on loan in 2022. He scored his only goal for the Lilywhites against Derry City in the 2-2 draw, before being recalled by Dundee United in July. City agreed an undisclosed fee to bring the defender to the Brandywell that same month. Connolly scored on his debut against Oliver Bond Celtic and has been an ever present in the backline since – winning the FAI Cup in 2022 and making almost eighty appearances to date.

RYAN GRAYDON: Dubliner Ryan Graydon came through the youth ranks at Bohemians, before making his senior debut for the Phibsborough side against Cabinteely in 2018. After failing to score for the senior team, the winger signed for Bray Wanderers in 2020 before switching to Longford Town in 2022. Derry swooped for the 23 year old just six months into his time in Longford, paying €10,000 for his services in July 2022. After a year as City’s first choice right winger, known for his pace and darting runs in behind, Graydon made the switch to Fleetwood Town for a fee believed to be around £125,000 in July 2023. He has played in all but one of Fleetwood’s league games this term, registering nine goal involvements. With a contract expiring in June 2025, he could be a quality signing if persuaded to return to Ireland.

MATT SMITH: Former Celtic forward Matt Smith made the move to Ireland in 2020, joining Waterford after appearing for Dundee United, Montrose and Cove Rangers in Scotland. Impressing during the COVID disrupted campaign of 2020, Smith netted twice in Munster before signing for St. Patrick’s Athletic in 2021. A key part of their FAI Cup winning side that year, it seemed that Ruaidhrí Higgins had pulled off a real coup in bringing the striker to the Brandywell in 2022. Despite scoring twelve goals for Pat’s the year before, it didn’t quite work out for Smith in Derry. He scored three goals in twenty appearances and was sent off against Riga FC in European qualifiers for an altercation with Congolese international fullback Ngonda Muzinga. He joined Shelbourne on loan in July 2022 before signing on a permanent basis in 2023. Smith’s memories of the Brandywell became more positive in November 2024, when he was part of the Shels side which lifted the Premier Division trophy there. Now 27, the Scotsman left Damien Duff’s side to return to Waterford on a long-term contract ahead of the 2025 season.

SADOU DIALLO: Born in Guinea, Sadou Diallo joined Manchester City’s youth team at thirteen in 2012. The midfielder spent time in the same City team as Will Patching and future Derry signing Jacob Davenport, sharing the pitch with current Chelsea duo Jadon Sancho and Tosin Adarabioyo, Phil Foden, Brahim Díaz and German international striker Lukas Nmecha. After six years in Manchester, Diallo was signed by Wolves in 2018. He failed to make a senior appearance in Wolverhampton, but scored in the 91^st minute to beat Manchester United’s reserves 3-2 to clinch the Premier League 2 for his club in 2020 following a three month loan move to Accrington Stanley. A move to Forest Green Rovers followed in 2021, where Diallo appeared nine times as they won League Two. The former England U19 international was announced by Derry City following the 2-0 loss away to Riga FC in the UEFA Europa League in July 2022. With another year left on his contract, and following an impressive spell in the centre of the park towards the end of the season, the holding midfielder will look for an injury free campaign after the start of his 2024 season was curtailed by a pre-season knee injury sustained against Finn Harps.

DAITHÍ MCCALLION: Coming through the ranks at Tristar, versatile defender Daithí McCallion became the youngest player in City history to sign a professional contract with the club when he penned a three-year deal in January 2022. He made his debut in April, replacing Ronan Boyce in a 7-1 win over UCD in the Brandywell. McCallion didn’t play competitively again for Derry City, but impressed on loan at Finn Harps in 2023. A regular in Northern Ireland’s U19 setup, he joined Ballymena United on loan in early 2024. That loan deal was made permanent for an undisclosed fee in August, with Derry City stressing that a buy-back clause was inserted in McCallion’s three year contract. At just 19, the defender has already racked up sixty senior appearances, and he’s one who I wouldn’t be shocked to see back in Derry City colours in the future.

JORDAN MCENEFF: Winger Jordan McEneff left Derry City’s academy in 2016 to join English giants Arsenal, where he would spend almost six years rubbing shoulders with some of the world’s finest. An Arsenal player at the same time as the likes of Mesut Özil, Alexis Sanchez and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, McEneff also lined out for both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland at youth level. As a 21 year old, the midfielder joined Shelbourne on loan at the beginning of the 2022 campaign and made thirteen appearances before signing for Derry City in August. McEneff’s first goal for City came in the form of a 92^nd minute penalty in the FAI Cup final, compiling his former side’s misery as Derry hit Shelbourne for four. 2023 proved to be the midfielder’s most fruitful year in senior football, as he scored eight league goals to fire himself to the top of Derry City’s goalscoring chart for the year.  An ankle injury curtailed the 23 year old’s 2024 season as he appeared just eleven times before joining Larne for an undisclosed fee in August. McEneff is yet to open his account for the Invermen but can add UEFA Conference League group stage appearances to his CV during his time with the Irish League champions.

EVAN MCLAUGHLIN: Coming through the ranks at Foyle Harps and later Derry City’s academy as a midfielder, Evan McLaughlin was first involved with the City first team when he was named on the bench against Cork City in November 2020. His competitive debut came in the summer of 2021, when he started on the wing and scored just before half-time to open the scoring at home to Waterford. McLaughlin would go on to make thirty more appearances in red and white before joining Coleraine on loan in July 2022. A debut brace at home to Cliftonville gave the Bannside faithful a glimpse of what they could expect. Then 20, McLaughlin would score twice more for Coleraine before returning to the Brandywell. 2023 saw McLaughlin’s gametime limited due to health issues, before Tim Clancy brought the Derryman to Cork City ahead of the 2024 First Division campaign. Deployed as an attacking left-back, McLaughlin contributed to twelve goals in all competitions in Munster as Cork won the league by a 22 point margin. An inclusion in the First Division Team of the Year has seen the 22 year old’s stock rise, although his contract has recently expired. A versatile operator across the midfield and at full back, McLaughlin would be an astute signing for clubs across the Premier Division.

CIAN KAVANAGH: Dublin native Cian Kavanagh began his career with St. Pat’s before joining Hearts of Midlothian in Scotland as a sixteen year old in 2019. After failing to break into the senior team, and a loan to Cowdenbeath, Kavanagh returned to Ireland to sign for Waterford in 2021. He scored nine goals in 33 in Waterford before signing for the Candystripes in July 2022. Two of Kavanagh’s five Derry goals came home and away against KuPS in Europa Conference League qualifying last summer. The big striker returned to St. Pat’s ahead of the 2024 campaign but failed to make an impact, scoring once in seventeen league games. 22 at the start of January, Kavanagh was recently announced as a new arrival for 2025 by Sligo Rovers, who have signed him on a two-year deal.

DECLAN GLASS: Edinburgh born midfielder Declan Glass joined Dundee United as a fifteen year old in 2015 and made his senior debut against Dumbarton just two years later. After loans at Aidrieonians, Cove Rangers, Partick Thistle and Kilmarnock, Glass joined Derry City on loan in July 2022. A sixteen minute first half hat-trick in the 7-0 FAI Cup thrashing of Oliver Bond Celtic FC on his debut was certainly a first appearance to remember. Despite the fast start, Glass found gametime at Derry limited as he played just five more times for the club before returning to Dundee United at the end of the season. Now 24, the Scotsman was loaned to Cove Rangers again in January 2023 before signing permanently for the Scottish League One club in July 2024. With six goal involvements in thirteen games this season, a ‘Star Man’ inclusion in the final SPFL Team of the Week of 2024 (alongside Celtic’s Arne Engels in midfield), and Cove sitting within the play-off spots, Glass will hope for a strong finish to the campaign and promotion to the Championship.

 

Pól O’Hare – 4^th January 2025