Waterford v Derry City: Match Preview (23rd August 2024)

 

Waterford v Derry City: Match Preview

 

Waterford FC v. Derry City FC, League of Ireland Premier Division Round 28, Waterford Regional Sports Centre, Friday 23^rd August 2024 kick-off 7.45pm

 

After advancing to the quarter-finals of the FAI Cup following a 1-0 away win over Cork City, Derry City face their second away game in Munster in seven days as they face high-flying Waterford in the Premier Division. The Candystripes evoked the spirit of the late and great Jim McLaughlin, who passed away last Thursday, in their win in Turner’s Cross. It was a 1-0 win over Cork City in the 1989 FAI Cup final which saw Jim McLaughlin’s City side clinch a historic domestic treble – a feat which, 35 years on, is yet to be equalled. Felix Healy scored the winner that day, but it was a Sam Todd header that clinched the win last Friday, a goal which sees Derry face Shelbourne in the Brandywell in a huge last-eight tie.

Last time out – Cork City 0-1 Derry City:

It certainly wasn’t a pretty affair, but winning tough games when you’re under the cosh is a sign of a good team. Cork, who sit fifteen points clear in the First Division, welcomed the Candystripes to Turner’s Cross on Friday night having conceded just ten goals in their previous 28 domestic fixtures this term. Tim Clancy’s men hadn’t tasted defeat at home all season and looked dangerous going into the game with their new look attack of Ruairí Keating, Sean Maguire and 17 year old Cathal O’Sullivan.

It was a scrappy affair from the start, with City coming close through Paul McMullan after a disguised free kick from Will Patching just six minutes in. Seconds later and a late tackle from Pat Hoban brought Darragh Crowley to the ground, much to the dismay of the Cork fans. An early yellow card for the City striker. The home side had an opportunity of their own two minutes later when a loose ball in the box fell to Ruairí Keating, who blazed over from short range. Sean Maguire had his own close effort before the quarter hour mark – Cork’s star men showing their attacking prowess early on. The rest of the first half had a real cup tie feel, the home side wouldn’t let Derry settle and had the better of the chances. Sean Maguire’s dink over Brian Maher on the stroke of half-time looked like it would open the scoring, but Ciaran Coll’s hooked clearance kept City level going into the break.

The away side came out fighting in the second spell as the introduction of Sam Todd for the booked Adam O’Reilly saw Ciaran Coll move to right back and Cameron Dummigan into midfield, as well as giving City more height in the back line. Derry looked like a threat from set pieces in the second spell – Ben Doherty’s inswingers were narrowly diverted wide on two occasions. With twenty minutes left to go, one was finally nodded in. It was Sam Todd who made the run into the centre of the box before rising highest to see his header clip the underside of the bar and go past Bradley Wade in the Cork goal. A first goal in red and white for Todd, and a precious lead for City in their quest for cup glory. After a scare in the 84^th minute when Keating’s ball across the face of the box was knocked wide at the back post, City held on to claim victory and progress to the quarter-finals for the first time since winning the competition in 2022.

Derry City:

As I said earlier, the performance against Cork wasn’t one for the football purist. It was a proper cup tie. City rode their luck at times but pounced when they really needed too, and kept a clean sheet against a side who have scored, on average, 1.53 goals per game this term. The defending was resolute, whilst Brian Maher was to thank for some big saves throughout the game. Sam Todd was the unlikely hero, but there’s something authentic about a big centre-back converting a corner to progress in cup football. With only eight teams now remaining in the cup, four of whom play in the First Division, City will fancy their chances at cup glory. Shelbourne, who we can’t go a game without mentioning this year, will set their sights on a first cup triumph since 2000. Bohemians, who scraped past Kerry FC on penalties, and Drogheda United, who put nine past Wilton United, are the other two Premier Division teams. Neither of those would be easy wins. UCD provided the shock of the round, aside from Kerry taking Bohs to penalties, as they beat Sligo Rovers 2-0 in their own backyard. Athlone Town beat Friday’s opponents Waterford late in extra-time, whilst Treaty United beat Pike Rovers 7-0 and Wexford put Ballyfermot United to the sword with a 3-0 win.

There’s been one in and one out of the Brandywell in the past week. I’ll start with Jordan McEneff, Derry’s top scorer last season. He joined UEFA Conference League group stage (sorry, ‘league phase’) hopefuls Larne FC on Monday for an undisclosed fee. The 23 year old scored nine times in two years for City, including the fourth goal in City’s 2022 FAI Cup final victory over Shelbourne. McEneff struggled for game-time this season after breaking his foot in April and, getting a fee for a player who could leave for free come November isn’t the worst business in the world.

Never in a million years did I think Andre Wisdom would be lining out for Derry City when he broke into Liverpool’s first team under Brendan Rodgers in 2012/13, but here we are. Now 31, Wisdom played 14 times for the Anfield side and appeared in the Premier League around 50 times in spells with Norwich City and West Bromwich Albion. A £3m switch to Derby County in July 2017 followed an impressive loan spell in Austria with Red Bull Salzburg. Wisdom made 130 appearances for Derby before taking a career break after being stabbed in 2020. Most recently plying his trade for Worthington in the National League North, Andre Wisdom is looking to get his career back on track with the Candystripes. The former England U21 captain is a natural right back but can deputise at centre back, offering Ruaidhrí Higgins much needed defensive cover. The deal works for all parties, City get the experience of a former Premier League defender and Wisdom gets a short-term contract to keep his options open at the end of the current LOI season. At 31, he could be an astute signing if he impresses in red and white and is offered a new deal for 2025. There are also rumblings of another addition before the end of the month too...

Jacob Davenport, impressive in his debut against Dundalk two weeks ago, was the glaring omission from the team sheet against Cork City. The Englishman has had a niggle or two since signing from Morecambe in July. Ronan Boyce was another omission, as was Mark Connolly – two players who Higgins will want to keep fit from now until the end of the season. Danny Mullen started alongside Pat Hoban in the City attack, but was marshalled well by the home side’s defence. Hoban will come up against his closest rival for the golden boot on Friday when he faces Waterford’s Padraig Amond. Amond sits one goal behind Hoban with eleven this season.

 

Waterford:

Promoted to the Premier Division via the play-offs last season, Waterford have settled nicely into life back in the top flight. After scoring 84 goals in 36 league games in 2023, Keith Long’s men took a while to get going in the Premier Division. After winning just one of their opening six, the Blues went on a run of winning eight of their next twelve league games to climb the table heading into the summer. Despite hitting a rocky patch of late, winning just two of their last five domestically and being knocked out of the FAI Cup by First Division promotion hopefuls Athlone Town, Waterford find themselves firmly in the hunt for European football. They currently find themselves in third place after 27 games, joint on points with Sligo Rovers in fourth and six behind Derry City in second. The Munster-men are out for revenge after they were denied a licence to play in Europa League qualifiers in 2019, as they aim to compete in European competition for the first time since losing 6-1 to Bordeaux over two legs in the European Cup Winners’ Cup in 1986-87.

Waterford’s current tally of 37 league goals scored has them as the second highest scoring team in the Premier Division, behind only Derry City. A big portion of that, well 35.1% to be exact, is down to the exploits of former EFL stalwart Pádraig Amond. The 36 year old striker, who scored against Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City during his 13 year spell in England, has contributed to 13 goals for Waterford this term – 11 goals and 2 assists. He finds himself behind only Derry City’s Pat Hoban in the goalscoring charts. Amond scored both Waterford goals in their recent cup defeat to Athlone. His 105^th minute strike to put the hosts 2-1 up looked like it would have sealed the game before Aaron Connolly (not the former Hull City striker) and Peter McGregor scored twice in the last five minutes of extra time to send The Town through – late, late heartbreak for the Blues.

One player who stood out in a Waterford shirt this campaign was winger Maleace Asamoah. His return of 7 goal involvements in 17 games showed promise, so much so that Fleetwood Town recalled him early from his loan in order to link up with former Derry winger Ryan Graydon at the League One side.  Aside from Amond’s eleven goal haul and Asamoah’s impressive six from the wing, Christie Pattison’s four goals sees him third in the club’s scoring chart for the campaign. The goals are spread about the pitch for Waterford though, with eleven different players bagging in the league in 2024, including three defenders.

Connor Parsons’ curling effort lifted the roof in Tallaght last November, being the goal that sent Waterford back to the Prem for the first time in three years. The Englishman has featured in 27 league fixtures this season and is dangerous as a number 10 or as a winger. Northern Ireland youth international Barry Baggley is tidy in the centre of the park and returned from a three month injury at the end of July. Another NI youth player at Waterford is Samuel Glenfield, whose inch perfect 81^st minute strike away to Bohemians in Dalymount completed a 3-2 comeback after being 2-0 down at half-time two weeks ago. Left back Darragh Leahy leads the assists chart with three goals and will play on Friday despite being sent off against Athlone Town after a successful appeal from his club. Some say that a successful appeal to the FAI is rarer than that moon we saw this week.

Waterford are a team with good fighting spirit and threats across the pitch. They’ve come back to win or draw after going behind five times this season – two of which have been turning 2-0 deficits to 4-2 and 3-2 wins against Drogheda United and Bohemians respectively. They also survived a scare when our neighbours to the west, Cockhill Celtic, went 1-0 up in the RSC in the FAI Cup second round a month ago. The Blues have failed to beat the current top two this season, failing to score against Derry City since 2021 and being winless against Shelbourne since 2020. Fellow promoted side Galway United are the only other team that Waterford have failed to beat this term.

Round – up:

I’ll probably have jinxed this, but Derry City are the only team who Waterford haven’t taken points off this term. In the three previous meetings between the two this year, City have won 3-0 twice and 2-0. That’s an aggregate score of 8-0, keeping three clean sheets against the side closest to them in terms of goals scored and league position. It’s an extremely impressive record if you’re of a Derry persuasion, especially when you consider that the Blues haven’t beaten City at home in four and a half years. Waterford have only drawn four games this season, compared to the Candystripes’ ten – the joint most in the league. With just nine league games left for Derry City to overcome the two point gap between themselves and Shelbourne, whilst avoiding the likes of Waterford, Sligo Rovers and Shamrock Rovers pushing them in a late race for the title, it really is crunch time in the Premier Division. A win for City on Friday would do wonders in keeping Waterford at arm’s length. It's a second against third with just over two months of the campaign to go, it's a bigger game than people may think. A loss could see Shelbourne step a foot closer to lifting the title should the beat Bohemians in Tolka, whilst giving up precious ground to the teams on the peripheries of European spots. This football craic is bad news for the blood pressure
Pól O'Hare - 21st August 2024

Derry City v Dundalk: Match Preview (9th August 2024)

 

Derry City v Dundalk: Match Preview

Derry City FC v. Dundalk FC, League of Ireland Premier Division, Round 27, Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium, Friday 9^th August 2024, kick-off 7.45pm

It’s as you were at the top of the Premier Division after a somewhat anti-climactic Monday night fixture against Shelbourne in Tolka Park. Derry City fought on for more than an hour following Sam Todd’s second yellow card in the first half to claim a hard-earned point, but had the better opportunities and would have felt hard done by not going back up the road with three points. They face Dundalk on Friday, a side who find themselves sitting just two points from bottom of the table. A win for the Candystripes would put them top for at least 22 hours until Shelbourne travel to in-form Sligo Rovers on Saturday evening.

Last time out – Shelbourne 0-0 Derry City:

Much was made of Monday night’s top of the table clash. Billed by Shels gaffer Damien Duff as the ‘biggest night Tolka Park’s seen in 18 years’, the game didn’t quite live up to expectations. The home side set up with an alternate backline following the suspensions of Paddy Barrett and Tyreke Wilson, whilst Derry City welcomed Ronan Boyce and Jordan McEneff back to the bench following injury setbacks.

Derry started the game the better side, with Michael Duffy coming closest within the early exchanges as he volleyed Pat Hoban’s header straight at Kearns in the Shels goal from twelve yards out. Duffy again came close just minutes later, firing a left-footed effort wide after beating Shelbourne right-back Sean Gannon for pace. Disaster struck for Ruaidhrí Higgins’ men after 34 minutes however, when Sam Todd, starting just his fourth league game of the season, brought Scottish winger Liam Burt to the ground. The contact was minimal but Todd, walking a tight-rope after an earlier yellow card, was shown his marching orders. It was an uphill battle for the Candystripes, who could have gone into half-time two or three to the good after Michael Duffy failed to capitalise on a loose ball from Conor Kearns late in the half.

The home side picked up the pace and tested Brian Maher more in the second period. The best effort of the half coming when Harry Wood found space on the edge of the box but saw his bouncing shot saved by the City keeper. Ali Coote, brought off the bench with just fifteen to go, came close for the home side when his shot across the face of goal took a deflection off Ben Doherty and went narrowly wide. City sat in deep and defended well in their low block, utilising the pace of substitute Dan Kelly on the counter attack. The 27 year old had a golden opportunity of his own when Brian Maher’s driven ball was placed perfectly for Kelly running in behind, before being smothered by Kearns in the Shelbourne goal.

Perhaps the biggest talking point of the second half came in the form of more referee-related drama. After booking striker John Martin for a lunge on Will Patching earlier in the half, the forward’s late challenge on Paul McMullan was waved away by Damien MacGraith. If Sam Todd’s tackle in the first half was worthy of a yellow, so too was Martin’s. The Shelbourne coaching staff knew that too, replacing the striker with former Derry man Matty Smith a minute later. All-in-all, a draw and clean sheet against the league leaders isn’t a bad result by any stretch of the imagination. The City faithful can only hope that the opportunities in the first half, coupled with the red card setback, don’t come back to bite us come November.

Derry City:

The Candystripes dug in deep against Shelbourne on Monday night, showing a side to the team that has been questioned in recent times. The attacking play was crisp throughout but when the going got tough, the defensive solidity of the Derry midfield and backline was superb. Shelbourne, who have a multitude of creative midfielders and wingers, failed to really carve out any clear goal scoring opportunities, and were penned back for most of the second half. Mark Connolly was commanding at the back whilst Cameron Dummigan was worthy of his man of the match award. The Lurgan native adapted well in shifting to right back following the red card after starting the game in midfield. Ciaran Coll was once again solid, whilst Adam O’Reilly’s energy drove Derry forward. Pat Hoban and Michael Duffy combined well, with the latter unlucky not to bag at least one. Dan Kelly troubled the left side of the Shels defence after his second half introduction.

Ruaidhrí Higgins will have been pleased to see the returns of Ronan Boyce and Jordan McEneff to the matchday squad. Boyce hasn’t started for Derry since the 2-2 draw with Sligo Rovers in late May as Cameron Dummigan nailed down the right back spot. Seven or so minutes at the end of the 5-1 win over Drogheda at the end of June is the only football the 23 year old has seen since coming as a substitute against Galway United earlier in the month. Jordan McEneff faced a longer set back after breaking a bone in his foot in April and returned to the squad for the first time in almost four months on Monday night. His energy and versatility across the midfield and wide areas, which saw him contribute to 9 goals last season, could give City another dynamic in the title race. Jacob Davenport is still waiting for his first appearance in a Derry shirt. The English midfielder is Derry’s only summer signing and hasn’t played since a 3-3 draw against Swindon Town for Morecambe in League Two in late April. He could see his first minutes against Dundalk on Friday.

Dundalk:

League winners as recently as 2019, and in Europa League group stages in 2020, Dundalk’s demise has come as a warning to clubs on what not to do when you come across money and success. Probably the best League of Ireland side of the past ten years, Dundalk have found themselves in a relegation scrap with Louth neighbours Drogheda United this season. In losing all-time leading goal-scorer Pat Hoban to Derry City in the off-season, the Lilywhites’ issues off the pitch began to reflect on it. Sixteen players in the current Dundalk squad weren’t with the club last season and that seismic shift in personnel has had its impact.

Dundalk sit ninth in the table, losing 13 and drawing 8 of their 26 games. Of their five wins this term, only one has come away from home but victories over Shamrock Rovers and Sligo Rovers show that the Lilywhites do have it in them to beat sides putting pressure on the top of the table. The loss of Pat Hoban in particular seems to have hit the Lilywhites where it hurts. They have scored just 18 goals this season, the lowest in the division. Hoban has contributed to 15 in the league alone this term. The 36 goals that Dundalk have conceded is also more than everyone aside from Drogheda in tenth. It’s a tough time to be a fan of the Oriel Park side to say the least.

Top scorer for Dundalk this term is Jamie Gullan, the 25 year old Scotsman who was signed from Raith Rovers. A dead ball specialist, Gullan opened his account on the opening day of the season with a stunning free kick in Tallaght, though he hasn’t bagged since scoring a brace against St. Pat’s in early June. Daryl Horgan, a former Republic of Ireland international, is always a threat whether playing in the centre or on the wing. He has scored four and assisted three this term, making him Dundalk’s most efficient attacking outlet. 32 on Saturday, Horgan made 17 senior international appearances between 2017 and 2021. Another former Ireland international in the Lilywhites ranks is veteran defender Andy Boyle, who picked up a single senior cap in 2017 when with Preston North End. The 33 year old is still a quality operator at this level and has helped keep six clean sheets this term.

Two impressive summer arrivals are Jad Hakiki and Aodh Dervin, signed from Shelbourne and Galway United. Both central midfielders, Hakiki’s energy and composure at 20 years old has offered the Lilywhites versatility in the midfield. Aodh Dervin scored the winner against Dundalk for Galway United earlier in the year and is a real coup in the midfield. A tough and hard-working midfielder, the 25 year old would be a good option in most Premier Division squads. 20 year old New Zealander Norman Garbett, brother of Matthew Garbett who scored the equaliser for his country against Ireland last year, is another intriguing addition. He was signed from Serie C signed Potenza in July and has featured twice this campaign. Felix Goddard was brought in on loan from Blackburn Rovers to add depth in the goalkeeping department but has struggled, conceding seven in four games.

The Louth side are winless in three domestically and have been knocked out of the FAI Cup by rivals Drogheda United. With ten games to go, and sitting only two points above the automatic relegation spot, the Lilywhites will need to string some wins together to improve their season. They play Drogheda United on the last day of the season, meaning the league winners and bottom finishing side may both not know their fate until the final day of the campaign. Derry City, who face Dundalk in Oriel Park in the third last game of the season, will be wary that their opponents will be going all out to claim some wins.

Round-up:

Failing to beat Shelbourne on Monday night may seem as opportunity missed. The Candystripes could have gone top with a win in Tolka, but the title race is far from done and dusted yet. City face a Dundalk side who haven’t beaten them in nearly two years and sit second from bottom in the division. The Lilywhites have conceded twelve in the last five games between this two, with Derry beating Dundalk 4-1 in the Brandywell earlier this term. The 0-0 draw in Oriel Park in the most recent meeting between the two was just the third scoreless draw between City and Dundalk since 2017. A win on Friday night would guarantee that Derry spend more than about fifteen minutes at the top of the table for the first time since early March, as Shelbourne don’t play until Saturday. They’re travelling to Sligo Rovers, who have won five of their last seven domestic games and sit level on points with Shamrock Rovers in third. The Bit’O’Red could do us a favour on Saturday, as a loss for Shelbourne would eliminate their three point advantage should City triumph against Dundalk. We’re down to the last ten games of the league season and it’s shaping up to be the best title race in years…

 

Pól O’Hare – 7^th August 2024

Derry City v Bruno’s Magpies: Match Preview

 

Derry City v Bruno’s Magpies: Match Preview

 

Derry City FC v. FC Bruno’s Magpies, UEFA Conference League, First Round Second Leg, Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium, 18^th July 2024, kick-off 7.45pm

In a result that some have called the ‘worst in League of Ireland European history’, Derry City fell to a 2-0 defeat at the hands of FC Bruno’s Magpies in Gibraltar. The Candystripes were outdone by two headers from set-pieces in the second half as they struggled to put their opponents to the sword in 30C+ heat. City now need to win by a margin of at least three goals on Thursday to progress to a Second Round glamour tie against FC Copenhagen.

 

Last time out – Bruno’s Magpies 2-0 Derry City:

In a hot Europa Point Stadium, Derry City failed to make their mark as they faced opposition from Gibraltar for the first time. Bruno’s Magpies, who have never progressed passed the First Round of European qualifying, netted from two set pieces in the second half as Derry’s recent defensive frailties were once again brought to the fore.

The game didn’t start too badly. Adam O’Reilly had struck the crossbar within the first ten minutes, whilst a Dan Kelly effort which went under goalkeeper Dayle Coleing was cleared off the line. As the half wore on, the away side seemed to struggle in the sun and the home side grew into the game. 

Just four minutes after the restart, the deadlock was broken. After a poor pass across the backline by Paul McMullan, Javier Forjan picked the ball up before forcing Brian Maher into a finger-tip save to deny the Spanish striker. The resulting corner was met by Welsh defender Ash Taylor who rose above Shane McEleney at the back-post to nod past Maher, bagging himself a debut goal and putting his side into the lead. Less than ten minutes later, English forward Jack Storer took it past both Derry centre-halves in the box before firing over from 12 yards – that really should have doubled Magpies’ advantage. That eventually did happen on the 82^nd minute. Another floating ball in from a free kick was met by Francisco Zuñiga who put the game to bed. An awful result for the Candystripes, especially considering the efforts made by the 250 travelling supporters who made their way to the Europa Point Stadium, and the dozens more who travelled to Gibraltar. Next week needs to be much better if Derry City are to progress.

 

Derry City:

Derry City’s lack of clinical edge cost them last week. Dan Kelly found joy running in behind the Magpies left back and could have had two for himself with a bit more accuracy in his finishing. In saying that, Pat Hoban was well marshalled by Taylor and Zuñiga in the Magpies backline and had no clear cut opportunities. Will Patching was unlucky that his neat footwork didn’t result in an assist throughout the match as well.

As was our downfall against Sligo Rovers two weeks ago, the lapses in concentration from Derry’s defenders cost two goals in Gibraltar. To concede two from set pieces with two centre halves as usually aerially dominant as Mark Connolly and Shane McEleney will have been extremely disappointing for Ruaidhrí Higgins. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Sam Todd or Ciarán Coll start on Thursday in order to have a left-footed centre back in the starting eleven to fill the gap left by the departure of Cameron McJannet earlier in the summer. The sooner we replace the English defender the better, as a solid defence will be key between now and the end of the season.

We really have nothing to lose on Thursday. We’ve already received stick from all quarters of Irish football after the loss last week, so playing cautious and failing to go all-out-attack in the Brandywell won’t do us any favours. If I was Ruaidhrí Higgins I’d go for a good old-fashioned 4-4-2, with Danny Mullen partnering Pat Hoban up top, before introducing Colm Whelan from the bench. Starting that way would mean sacrificing a centre midfielder, but if we were to go 2-0 up relatively early on, the introduction of Sadou Diallo or Jacob Davenport from the bench would sure up the midfield. Michael Duffy, if he’s fit, would likely start, whilst Daniel Kelly may be preferred to Paul McMullan on the right flank after the Dubliner found himself in good positions last week. The big Brandywell pitch, and lack of sun, will favour Derry, but Magpies will likely put everyone behind the ball and make it extremely difficult for City to break them down. It’ll be a nervy watch, but a rocking Brandywell could get us over the line, as it did with KuPS and HB Tórshavn last year.

 

Bruno’s Magpies:

It seemed like Bruno’s Magpies had a gameplan against City last week, and it worked. Solid at the back and a threat from set pieces. Their physicality in the defence kept Pat Hoban quiet whilst they were dangerous playing in from the wings. Jack Storer really should’ve scored, whilst Javier Forjan and Carlos Garcia looked impressive pulling the strings. The team from Gibraltar will likely have the same approach next week, setting up a strong, physical back-line and holding on to their two goal lead. They know that just one goal in the Brandywell will probably send them through, as City would then need four to progress.

Despite being part-time, Magpies have players who came through the ranks at well respected LaLiga sides, and players with experience in England and Scotland. Lincoln Red Imps, Gibraltar’s most successful team with 27 league titles, beat Celtic in Champions League qualifiers in 2016-17. They also beat Riga in the Conference League play-offs in 2021-22 to progress the group stages. Derry City really *should* be getting past Magpies on paper, but this is a team with international players and a point to prove – a team who deserve to be respected, something Derry may not have fully done last Thursday.

Magpies made it difficult in their home legs against Crusaders and Dundalk in the past two years. They beat Crusaders and held Dundalk to a scoreless draw in Gibraltar, so they definitely knew that they could play their own game with the sun on their side. Magpies lost both of the return legs against Crusaders and Dundalk 3-1, showing that the sides from Ireland had more joy in their own stadiums. A 3-1 win for Derry would take the game to extra-time, something which would be nerve-wracking but could prove vital in clawing back the tie. Magpies are also in pre-season, so extra-time would likely the suit the Candystripes who, in theory, should be at their fittest stage of the campaign. It won’t be straight-forward at all next week but both teams will have sussed each other out a bit more and it may prove to be a more expansive match. The last time Derry City overturned a two goal deficit in Europe was 59 years ago, when they beat Lyn Oslo 5-1 in the Brandywell after losing the first leg 5-3. That win just happened to be City’s first in European competition.

Round-up:

Last Thursday’s result was very tough to take, there’s no doubt about it, but turning round a 2-0 goal deficit isn’t impossible. An early goal for City would open the tie up, whilst we can play with the Brandywell atmosphere on our side. That atmosphere after scoring against KuPS last season is the best I’ve seen here in years and could prove pivotal in getting a result. A trip to Copenhagen would be huge for both sides, and is surely an attractive prospect for the players. To throw in the towel and let Magpies have the win without putting up a fight would be a disaster, so we should at least set out fighting from the start. It’s St. Pat’s in the cup on Sunday after this, and we don’t want our European and Cup aspirations for the season going up in smoke in the space of four days like it did in 2023. A big win on Thursday could do wonders for our season, but it won’t come easy.

 

Pól O’Hare – 16^TH July 2024

FC Bruno’s Magpies v Derry City: Match Preview

 

FC Bruno’s Magpies v Derry City: Match Preview

FC Bruno’s Magpies v Derry City FC, UEFA Conference League Qualifying Round 1 First-Leg, Europa Point Stadium (Gibraltar), Thursday 11^th July 2024, kick-off 6pm local time (5pm Irish)

 

It’s that time of the year again. Derry City aim to get their European campaign for 2024 off to a positive start as they encounter opposition from Gibraltar for the first time. The Candsytripes face FC Bruno’s Magpies, a team formed in 2013 who have never progressed past the first round of qualifying – and have only ever travelled to Ireland on their European trips. Boyed on by last year’s successes, when Derry City were a penalty kick away from reaching the Group Stage Play-offs, Ruaidhrí Higgins men will be hoping to progress past Magpies knowing that two legs against Danish giants FC Copenhagen lie in wait for the victor.

Last time out – Sligo Rovers 2-1 Derry City:

Derry City’s run of four wins on the bounce came to an abrupt end in the Sligo Showgrounds last Thursday, as English midfielder Ellis Chapman netted twice to see the home side come from 1-0 down to maintain their three year unbeaten home record against Derry City. The Candystripes kept most of the possession in the first half but failed to capitalise on a couple of golden opportunities, namely when Dan Kelly’s ball across the face of the box was missed by the oncoming Paul McMullan and Pat Hoban’s overhead kick crept past the post on the half-time mark.

Those three linked up again ten minutes into the second half, when Kelly’s ball into the box was dummied by Pat Hoban and fell to the feet of McMullan. The Scottish winger had time and space to curl the ball delicately into Ed McGinty’s top corner. It was advantage Derry City early in the second half.

The away team then seemed to lose their grasp on the game as Sligo Rovers mounted pressure on the City defence. Just five minutes after the deadlock was broken, former City midfielder Will Fitzgerald burst into the Derry box before Sadou Diallo’s mistimed tackle brought him to the ground. It was a stonewall penalty, and one which Ellis Chapman calmly slotted past Brian Maher.

City couldn’t find another decisive goal, and when Chapman picked the ball up inside his own half and had acres of space to run into it seemed like City were in trouble. The 23 year old Englishman left Shane McEleney for dead before evading the challenge of Mark Connolly to poke past Brian Maher with just 90 seconds remaining. Despite going down to ten men when JR Wilson was sent off for arguing with the referee, Sligo Rovers clung on and had Ed McGinty to thank for denying Pat Hoban inside the box in injury time. It was a tough way to lose, but no-one could fault Sligo Rovers’ efforts in turning the game round in the second half.

 

Derry City:

Derry City’s defensive frailties in the absence of Cameron McJannet came to light against Sligo. City conceded just 24 goals during the entirety of the 2023 Premier Division campaign, but have conceded 22 already this year, with 11 games remaining. Ruaidhrí Higgins will surely have defensive signings high on his wish-list before the window closes. There always seems to be a bit of noise surrounding potential transfers in the League of Ireland, but Derry’s surprise signing of Jacob Davenport last month hints that Higgins may be keeping his cards close to his chest this time round. In that sense, it wouldn’t surprise me if a centre back was signed pretty much out of the blue in the next week or so. Rob Slevin, who I mentioned would be a good McJannet replacement two weeks ago, found himself on the scoresheet for Galway United last weekend as he scored the equaliser against Bohemians – something which may add a few Euro onto his price tag.

It isn’t all doom and gloom though. Thursday’s performance wasn’t terrible by any stretch of the imagination and we played well going forward in the first half. In saying that, the defensive issues this season are a slight concern – especially considering how solid we have been under Higgins over the past few years. We can count ourselves lucky that nine man Shelbourne couldn’t get the better of Drogheda though, as the Louth side held the league leaders to a 1-1 draw. Shels do have the luxury of a game in hand, so realistically it’s their league to lose. Derry City don’t play another league game until early August and, of course, it’s away to Shelbourne. Win that and we go top on goal difference, lost that and Shels go six clear with a game in hand. It could be a title decider that tests the resolve of the Derry players, who may very well play four European games and an FAI Cup match against St Pat’s between now and then. I don’t know about you, but I’ll probably be hiding behind the TV for most of that Shelbourne match.

Ruaidhrí Higgins’ men haven’t been hit with any more injury blows going into the Magpies game. Jordan McEneff and Patrick McEleney will be out for a good while longer, whilst Jacob Davenport wasn’t included in the squad to face Sligo Rovers – likely due to fitness issues as he’s just come off the back of a League Two season where he made 26 appearances. The former England U18 international could be a welcomed addition to the midfield in the next few weeks. Colm Whelan got another ten minutes or so in the tank against Sligo last week, whilst Michael Duffy and Danny Mullen were both introduced in the 74^th minute. Glenn McCourt was brought into the senior squad for the first time as a substitute in Sligo.

City in Europe:

I’ll take any excuse I can get to talk about Derry City’s European escapades and, seeing that my preview of the KuPS game last year was my first preview, this feels like a full circle sort of moment. Last year’s European journey was the joint furthest we’ve progressed in European qualification. Back in 2006, the Candystripes toppled IFK Göteborg home and away before overcoming Scottish side Gretna 7-3 on aggregate to face Paris Saint-Germain in the First Round of the UEFA Cup. After a draw in the Brandywell, Les Parisiens beat City 2-0 in the French capital to progress to the group stages proper. After finishing second in their group, then of five teams, PSG beat AEK Athens 4-0 in the Round of 32 before losing to Benfica in the Round of 16 – not bad company.

2006 and 2023 are the only two times that Derry City have won two stages of European qualification, the next closest we went was in 2009, when we began in the Second Round of Europa League qualifying. After beating Skonto Riga 2-1, the Candystripes lost to CSKA Sofia in the Third Round. Following a 1-0 victory over HB Tórshavn in the UEFA Europa Conference League First Round last year, City came from behind to beat Kuopion Palloseura 2-1 in the Brandywell before drawing 3-3 out in Finland – coming home with a 4-3 aggregate win. Kazakhstani side Tobol Kostanay, whose General Director Andrei Kanchelskis applied for the Derry City manager’s job in 2015 (alongside playing for Manchester United and Everton), lay in wait. Kanchelskis thought Dublin was in Britain too but we’ll say nothing about that. Tobol had beaten Swiss giants Basel in the Second Round and had substantial financial backing, but had never qualified for the group stage. After a 1-0 loss in Kazakhstan, Will Patching drew City level on aggregate with a penalty in the second leg. Despite coming desperately close through Cian Kavanagh late on, Tobol won on penalties to progress to the Play-off stage before being beaten 5-1 by Viktoria Plzeň. Unlucky lads.

Derry City have never faced Gibraltarian opposition in European qualifying, meaning Bruno’s Magpies will represent the 22^nd different nation the Candystripes have faced in Europe. From Aberystwyth to Riga, and Minsk to Lisbon, City have done their fair share of travelling across the years. Our European adventures began back in 1964-65 when Steaua Bucharest beat the Candystripes 5-0 across two legs. An 8-6 win over Lyn Olso a year later was Derry City’s first European victory. Some ties have brought goals – and lots of them. City beat Aberystwyth Town 9-0 in 2014, with Michael Duffy and Patrick McEleney both scoring. I can’t mention goals and not mention the 10-2 aggregate loss to Midtjylland in 2017, the 9-0 loss to Anderlecht in 1965 and the 6-1 loss to Benfica in 1989, though.

The 7-3 win over Gretna is another particular highlight, whilst we’ve faced some of Europe’s elite in the past 60 years. Benfica, Paris Saint-Germain, Vitesse Arnhem, Anderlecht, Trabzonspor and Midtjylland spring to mind, whilst the felling of IFK Göteborg was a giant-killing for the books. Should Derry City beat Bruno’s Magpies over the next eight days, we can add FC Copenhagen to that list – a side who beat Manchester United and Galatasaray, and drew with Bayern Munich, on their way to facing Manchester City in the Round of 16 of the Champions League last season. Glamorous enough for the Conference League Second Round anyway…

 

FC Bruno’s Magpies:

Formed in 2013 by Englishman Louis Perry who, with 500 quid, decided to set up a football team from his grandparent’s bar and restaurant. By 2017, they were in the play-offs to get into the Gibraltar Premier Division under the tutelage of former Gibraltar assistant manager Davie Wilson. By the time May 2019 came round, Bruno’s Magpies had won the Second Division title alongside the Second Division Cup. By 2021-22, Magpies had secured qualification to UEFA Europa Conference League qualifying by finishing runners-up in the Rock Cup.

First up for Magpies was a trip to Belfast to face Crusaders in the First Round in July 2022. They almost made it past Crues too – going 2-0 up just after halftime and winning the first leg 2-1 at home before conceding in the 93^rd minute to lose 3-1 in Seaview. Former Derry City midfielder Philip Lowry started both legs for Crusaders. Heartbreak for Nathan Rooney’s men, but not a bad start to European life at all.

After finishing third in the league and winning the Rock Cup in 2022-23, Bruno’s Magpies found themselves back in the First Round of the Conference League. Back, again, to Ireland for the team in black and white. They were met by another team wearing black and white – Dundalk FC, who were in the Europa League group stages less than three years prior. Magpies held Dundalk to a goalless draw in the Gibraltar heat, before falling to a 3-1 loss in Oriel Park a week later. The League of Ireland Premier Division top scorer, our very own Pat Hoban, opened the scoring that night, whilst Dan Kelly started on the wing.

Bruno’s Magpies may only be eleven years old, but they’ve bagged four pieces of silverware, all since 2019. It began with the Second Division Cup in 2018-19, when Magpies went unbeaten to top their group by four points before beating Olympique 13 2-1 in the final. Two years later, they added the GFA Challenge Cup to their collection. Magpies finally got their hands on the Rock Cup in 2022-23, beating Lincoln Red Imps on penalties in the final. They also managed to bag the Pepe Reyes Cup that year, a one-off match contested by the Rock Cup and League winners, when they again beat Lincoln Red Imps 1-0.

Who's who?:

32 time Gibraltar international goalkeeper Dayle Coleing has recently joined Bruno’s Magpies after a second spell at Lincoln Red Imps. The 27 year old, who spent two years at Glentoran between 2020 and 2022 when they triggered his £50,000 release clause, has won both the League and Rock Cup on four occasions each – making him one of the most decorated players in the Magpies squad. Welsh defender Ashton Taylor – who has made over 500 senior appearances across League One, League Two and the Scottish Premiership has also been announced as a new signing, adding yet another head in an experienced defence. Centre back and captain Francisco Zúñiga could make his 100^th appearance at the club this season and spent time in the youth ranks at Mexican giants Pachuca.

Midfielder Álex Carrascal is a summer signing from Racing Cartagena in the Spanish fourth tier after coming through the youth systems of Sevilla and Real Valladolid. Another former Sevilla youngster is fellow new signing Cristian Orihuela, who signed from Europa FC. He played at Xerez CD in the Spanish fifth tier for a year between 2020 and 2021 – a team who were in LaLiga as recently as 2010.

30 year old number 8 Carlos García made 5 caps for Spain’s U20s and is certainly one to keep an eye on in the midfield. He was part of the Real Betis side which won the Segunda Division in 2014-15 and made a single appearance in LaLiga before leaving in 2016. García spent time at Juventud Torremolinos before moving to Gibraltar last year. Attacking midfielder Anthony Hernandez has 44 senior caps for Gibraltar and has scored more than 50 goals from the centre of the park since leaving Cadiz to sign for Manchester 62 in Gibraltar in 2014. Watch out for the pace of English winger Olatunde Bayode, once of Burnley, on the flank.

English striker Jack Storer made senior appearances for Birmingham City, Yeovil Town and Partick Thistle before signing for Bruno’s Magpies in 2023. One of those Thistle appearances was a start in a 3-1 defeat against Celtic in the Scottish League Cup in 2018, whilst he also scored the opener in a win over Greenock Morton in the same competition that year. Veteran Brazilian forward Edu Salles has had a journeyed career since leaving Brazilian side Atlético Paranaense in 2009, which has seen him enjoy stints in Georgia, Lithuania, Bolivia, England and Spain before joining Magpies this summer. The most intriguing of those moves surely being a four month spell at Derby County’s U21s as a 24 year old in 2014, sandwiched between spells at Concórdia in Brazil and Sport Boys in Bolivia.

The More You Know:

Former English figure skater, and former chairman of Watford alongside Elton John, Haig Oundijan has been the joint-chairman of Bruno’s Magpies since 2019. Now 75, Oundijan won bronze in the 1971 European Figure Skating Championships in Zürich and competed at the Winter Olympics in 1968 and 1972. During his time at Watford, the club reached the First Division (now Premier League) in 1981-82, after winning the Fourth Division just four years prior.

Former Derry City midfielder Aaron Splaine spent two years playing in Gibraltar after leaving the Candystripes at the end of the 2018 season. He signed for Europa Point in August 2019 before signing for Bruno’s Magpies ahead of the 2020 season, where he made 7 appearances. The Scotsman, who was born in Malaga, won the EA Sports Cup at the Brandywell in 2018 as he played 17 times and scored on his debut.

New goalkeeper Dale Coleing is Gibraltar’s number one goalkeeper at the minute. The 27 year old was between the sticks when France put 14 past his side in Nice last November. Midfielder Evan de Haro also started in the centre of the park. Kylian Mbappé bagged a hat-trick, whilst Kingsley Coman and Olivier Giroud both bagged braces. I wouldn’t have fancied facing that attack anyway. A month prior, he started in Gibraltar’s 4-0 loss to the Republic of Ireland. Bruno’s Magpies’ Anthony Hernandez was an unused sub against the boys in green, whilst Evan de Haro replaced Roy Alan Chipolina in the second half. Midfielder Kevagn Ronco was on the bench against the French too. Coleing also started for Lincoln Red Imps against Tobol Kostanay in the Second Round of Conference League qualifying back in July 2022.

Round Up:

European matches always bring a buzz around the place and Derry City fans will fancy their chances. The side from Gibraltar were knocked out by Dundalk last year and Crusaders the year before that. They won just one of their last five matches in the league, losing three and drawing the other one 0-0. There’s always the aspect of the unknown going into a European game, and it’s forecast to be 30C when the game kicks off at 6pm on Thursday. In that heat, and with very little shelter, the travelling City players and fans alike will need to bring the factor 50.

Preserving energy will be a necessity as Magpies play in this heat week in, week out. Dundalk and Crusaders both seemed to struggle in their legs in Gibraltar in the past few years, as Dundalk drew 0-0 and Crusaders lost 2-1 in the away legs. The target for City will surely be to get a good result away from home before being able to play with a bit more comfort back at the Brandywell. It’s hard to believe that it’s been a year since the win over HB Tórshavn, the scenes when we beat KuPS and the atmosphere we brought to Tallaght to face Tobol Kostanay. Good times, hopefully, ahead on the European front for City. PS: Please don’t lose as I’ve already booked flights to Copenhagen…

 

Pól O'Hare - 9th July 2024

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A Look Back at Derry City’s 2019 Squad

 

A Look Back at Derry City’s 2019 Squad 

 

Kenny Shiels left his role as manager of Derry City at the end of the 2018 season, with his final game a 5-0 drubbing at the hands of St. Patrick’s Athletic in Inchicore. Declan Devine, who had won the FAI Cup as manager of his local club in 2012, was tasked with improving a lowly eighth placed finish. Inheriting a squad stripped of the majority of its players, Devine set about rebuilding the side through shrewd signings, young local talent and experienced League of Ireland veterans. City came second in the EA Sports Cup and finished fourth in the league that year, qualifying for the first round of Europa League qualification for the 2020 season. Seven of the City starting eleven for the first game of the season, a 3-0 win over UCD, were making their Derry City debuts. I’ll have a look at that squad first, before comparing it to the squad for the final day of the season – a 4-0 home win over Finn Harps.

 

 

Derry City 3-0 UCD, League of Ireland Premier Division Round 1, 15 February 2019

 

(GK) Peter Cherrie – Veteran Scottish goalkeeper signed to replace Gerard Doherty, who had left in the off-season for Crusaders after making 448 appearances for Derry. Then 35, Cherrie had joined City after spells at Airdrie United, Ayr United, Clyde, Dundalk, Cliftonville, Bray Wanderers and Cork City. He was Declan Devine’s number one for the 2019 and 2020 seasons but most recently spent the 2023 campaign as back-up to Nathan Shepperd at Dundalk, aged 40.

 

(RB) Josh Kerr – Derry signed the 19 year old on loan from Brighton & Hove Albion, where he had impressed for their U23 side. Another Scotsman, Kerr started his youth career at Hamilton Academical before joining Celtic’s academy, where he spent four years. After making eleven appearances for City, he returned to Brighton in the summer of 2019 and signed for Airdrieonians. Kerr returned to Ireland with Bohemians in 2022 and now finds himself at Cove Rangers in the Scottish League One.

 

(CB) Eoin Toal - Eoin Toal made his Armagh City debut at 16 after captaining the youth team and was signed by Kenny Shiels in 2017. He became a first team regular for Derry in 2018 before being made City's youngest ever captain in 2021. Toal made his last appearance for the Candystripes in a 2-0 defeat to Riga FC in UECL qualifying in 2022 before switching to Bolton Wanderers, for a fee rumoured to be around £125,000. The 24 year old has since made over 40 appearances for the Trotters and has played twice in Northern Ireland’s EURO 2024 Qualifying campaign.

 

(CB) Darren Cole - The third Scotsman in the lineup, Darren Cole signed for Derry City in the summer of 2017. 25 at the time, the defender had appeared for Rangers, Partick Thistle, Greenock Morton, Livingston and Broxburn Athletic. In fact, his professional debut came in a UEFA Champions League group stage game against Bursaspor for Rangers in 2010. Cole, who also captained Livingston, made 109 appearances for Derry City and scored in the 2018 EA Sports Cup Final against Cobh Ramblers. After a stint on the sidelines, the former Scottish U21 international left to join Glentoran in 2021. He now plays for Coleraine aged 31.

 

(LB) Patrick McClean – Back for his second stint at Derry City, Patrick McClean came through the youth ranks at the Brandywell and was involved in the senior team in 2015 and 2016. He joined Waterford in the First Division in 2017, before moving to Sligo Rovers in February 2018. Just seven months after rejoining City in 2019, the defender left to join Glentoran and has since captained the club. After calling time on his career earlier this year, the now 26 year old is back at Glentoran after coming out of retirement during the summer.

 

(CM) Greg Sloggett – Making his Derry City debut against the team whom Declan Devine signed him from, Greg Sloggett was integral in the City midfield in 2019. He appeared in 37 games that season, assisting six goals and scoring once before moving to reigning champions Dundalk ahead of the 2020 season. He has since captained Dundalk and came off the bench in a Europa League group stage defeat against Arsenal later that year. After more than 130 appearances for the Lilywhites, Sloggett’s contract was up at the end of November, with Shelbourne rumoured to be interested in the 27 year old’s signature.

 

(CM) Ciaron Harkin – Another local Derry man, Declan Devine made sure to bring Ciaron Harkin to the Brandywell to bolster his midfield. A Derry City youth player, Harkin was central to the midfields of both Institute and Coleraine and won an Irish Cup medal with the latter. The former Northern Ireland youth international is closing in on 100 appearances in red and white but suffered two devastating ACL injuries in 2022 which have kept him out of action for the best part of twenty months. Ruaidhrí Higgins highlighted the 27 year old’s importance to the dressing room and renewed his contract for the 2024, as  Harkin will look to break back into the City midfield.

 

(AM) Barry McNamee – After a spell at Cork City, Barry McNamee moved back up north to re-join Derry, where he was part of Declan Devine’s FAI Cup winning squad in 2012. The Ramelton man made his breakthrough into the City first-team earlier that season but moved to then League of Ireland champions Cork City ahead of the 2018 campaign and scored against Derry in October. He started thirty league games and scored twice in 2019 as Devine made him captain. After 241 appearances in both spells at Derry City, registering 73 goal involvements, McNamee joined Finn Harps in 2020 before leaving in 2023.

 

(RW) Eoghan Stokes – The former Leeds United youngster joined Derry City in 2019 after making 31 appearances for Bohemians in 2018. The forward scored a wondergoal on his debut against UCD but proceeded to score just two more before joining Cork City on transfer deadline day in July 2019. He left Cork for Airdrieonians at the end of the season after failing to score for the Rebels. Another goalless spell saw him depart for Dumbarton in the Scottish League One, where he netted five goals before leaving due to his side’s relegation. Stokes, now 27, plays for Christchurch United in New Zealand and scored fifteen goals in sixteen games this term, guiding his new side to the 2023 Chatham Cup.

 

(LW) Junior Ogedi-Uzokwe – English journeyman Junior Ogedi-Uzokwe joined Derry City on-loan from Colchester United after impressing on trial. 26 goals in 25 games for Maldon & Tiptree in the Isthmian League North Division showed the forward had something about him and, after spells in Cyprus as well as the English lower leagues, his loan at Derry City was extended until the end of the 2019 season. A tricky winger, Junior finished the campaign as the Premier Division top scorer, bagging a hat-trick in a 4-0 win over Finn Harps on the final day. He left Colchester for Hapoel Hadera in Israel in 2020, but returned to Ireland with Sligo Rovers later that year. Junior joined Dundalk in 2021 as cover for Pat Hoban, before rejoining Derry on-loan in the summer. Six goals in fifteen on loan at the Brandywell helped City to a higher league finish than his parent club. After a spell at Bohemians, Junior is now playing for Glentoran aged 29.

 

(ST) David Parkhouse – An exciting striker, Declan Devine had signed David Parkhouse on loan from Sheffield United in January 2019. He bagged his first goal in senior football on his debut against UCD, before going on to score another eighteen goals in all competitions – including a four-goal haul in the EA Sports Cup semi-final against Waterford. Nominated for PFAI Young Player of the Year alongside Danny Mandroiu and Jack Byrne, Parkhouse attracted attention from Everton, Celtic and Blackburn Rovers. Loan moves to Stevenage and Hartlepool United followed his move to Derry. The then 21 year old signed permanently for the Candystripes in 2021 but left in the summer after failing to score in seventeen appearances. After spells at Ballymena United and Cliftonville, the 24 year old plies his trade for Harland & Wolff Welders.

Substitutes:

Jamie McDonagh - Known best for his work-rate and overlapping runs down the right wing, McDonagh signed for Derry City in 2018 after a spell at Sligo Rovers. Beginning his career at Sheffield United, from where he made loan moves to Matlock Town, Chester and Alfreton Town, McDonagh made twenty-five appearances for Greenock Morton before moving back to Ireland in 2017. After playing 78 games for Derry, McDonagh moved to Belfast to join Glentoran in the summer of 2020. A move to Cliftonville followed in 2021 and he now finds himself on loan at Glenavon.

 

Gerardo Bruna - Argentine midfielder Gerardo Bruna was dubbed ‘The Next Messi’ during his time in the academy of Real Madrid. He joined Liverpool and won the Premier Reserve League in 2007/08 before moving to Blackpool. After making just four appearances in two years, he signed for SD Huesca in the Spanish Segunda Division. Spells at Whitehawk, Accrington Stanley, Tranmere Rovers and Ottawa Fury preceded a move to Derry City in 2019. With wand of a left foot, his standout moment in a Derry shirt was a free-kick from distance in Inchicore against St. Pat’s in April 2019. He left for Shelbourne in 2021 but suffered an ACL tear before the season began. After time at Dungannon Swifts, he is now at Unión Puerto del Rosario in Spain’s fifth tier.

 

Nathan Gartside - After overcoming both myocarditis and a deflated lung, 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, he became City’s first choice keeper ahead of the 2021 season after being the cup goalkeeper in his first two-and-a-half years. He made 46 appearances for Derry, where also he also lined out for Northern Ireland’s U21s. 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. Gartside moved to Cliftonville in July 2022 and rivals St. Pat’s loanee David Odumosu for the number one jersey.

 

Ciarán Coll - One of just two players from 2019 who are still with Derry City, Ciarán Coll joined the Candystripes in 2019 after a decade with Finn Harps. The Letterkenny man captained Harps during his spell in Donegal and his switch to their north-west rivals caused a stir. Harps were rumoured to be interested in re-signing Coll in 2021 before the defender put pen-to-paper on a two-year deal at the Brandywell. He has since won the FAI Cup with the Candystripes and his solidity at the back has earned him a contract extension which will see him enter his sixth season as a Derry City player in 2024.

 

Ally Gilchrist - Edinburgh born Gilchrist started his career at St. Johnstone and, after loans to Elgin City and Peterhead, he signed for Shamrock Rovers in 2018. He was ever-present on the left-side of the Derry City defence after joining in 2019, but a foot injury limited his involvement in 2020 to just six games. He dropped down to the First Division in 2021 and helped Shelbourne to the title before repeating the same feat in 2022 with Cork City. Gilchrist was part of the Cork City squad which got relegated from the Premier Division in 2023 and his contract with The Rebels expired in November.

 

Aidy Delap – Adrian Delap came through the Derry youth ranks as a right-back, but featured more on the wing after breaking into the senior squad in 2018. He played 35 games for Derry City, scoring twice - the highlight of which coming in a 3-2 win against Finn Harps in April 2019. After 36 appearances for Derry, Delap joined Harps on loan for the 2020 season. He now plays for Letterkenny Rovers after leaving City in 2021.

 

Shane McNamee – Brother of Barry McNamee and Tony McNamee (currently at Finn Harps), Shane played youth football for Swilly Rovers before joining Derry’s academy. He made two substitute appearances in the Premier Division in 2019, coming in wins against Cork City and Finn Harps, alongside featuring in a 3-0 win over Longford Town in the EA Sports Cup. McNamee also made seven appearances in all competitions during the 2018 campaign. He made sixteen appearances on-loan at Institute during the second half of 2019 and now plays for Swilly Rovers.

 

There are only five players in the squad for the final game of the 2019 season against Finn Harps who I haven’t already covered. I’ll have a look at them, alongside summer arrival Gianni Seraf.

Derry City 4-0 Finn Harps, League of Ireland Premier Division Round 36, 25 October 2019

(CM) Grant Gillespie – Scottish midfielder Grant Gillespie signed for City in July 2019 after leaving Raith Rovers in Scotland’s third tier. The 28 year old made nearly 200 appearances for Hamilton Academical between 2009 and 2018. A short-term move to Dundee United preceded his transfer to Raith Rovers in 2018. The midfielder made ten appearances for Derry in 2019, scoring his only goal in this 4-0 win over Finn Harps. He played in the EA Sports Cup final loss over Dundalk but received a second yellow for a late tackle on Jamie McGrath. He left Derry for Ayr United and is now Greenock Morton’s captain, aged 32, after a spell at Queen’s Park.

Substitutes:

 

Mark McChrystal - Declan Devine brought Derry native and experienced defender Mark McChrystal back to the club ahead of the 2019 campaign. The centre back began his career at Wolves but signed for his local club in 2003 after his release from Molineux, going 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. McChrystal is now on Ruaidhrí Higgins coaching staff at the Brandywell. 

 

Michael McCrudden – After starting his youth career at Top of the Hill Celtic, McCrudden was signed by Newcastle United in 2007. He joined Derry City in July 2010 before moving to Institute 18 months later. After 29 goals in 56 games in Drumahoe, either side of a year at Ballinamallard, Derry City resigned the striker in the summer of 2019. He was given the number 10 shirt but failed to score in twenty league appearances. He joined Cliftonville in 2020 and now finds himself at Coleraine, where he has made four appearances this term.

 

Darren McCauley – Another former Top of the Hill Celtic man, Darren McCauley made twelve appearances for Derry City between 2008 and 2010 and moved to Celtic on loan in 2010. He had spells at Coleraine and Institute between 2011 and 2018, scoring 41 goals in 146 games for the former and 21 in 55 for the latter. McCauley made history for Coleraine as his goal against Spartak Subotica in Europa League qualifying in 2018 was their first since 2003. He scored twice in thirteen appearances for Inverness Caledonian Thistle in the Scottish Championship before Derry City beat Irish League clubs to his signature in the summer of 2019. One goal followed before the winger signed for Australian side Essendon Royals in 2020. After a spell with St. Alban’s in the National Premier Leagues – Victoria, he is now without a club at 31.

Conor Davis – Former Reading youth player Conor Davis joined UCD in the summer of 2018. After eight goals and three assists in twenty three games for the Students, he signed for Derry City in 2019. After netting once for City, Davis left for Cork City in 2020. Spells at Longford Town and Wexford FC resulted in a combined eight goals and, at 25, the forward plies his trade for Bray Wanderers in the first division.

 

(Honourable Mention) Gianni Seraf –Montpellier youth product Gianni Seraf signed for Derry City in the summer of 2019 in the most left-field signing of the year. After 33 appearances for Montpellier’s B team, he joined Vilanova in the Spanish fifth tier before signing for JS Saoura in Algeria in 2016. After a spell at Tarbes in the French lower leagues, Seraf made the move to Panionios in the Greek top flight in 2018. After four appearances for Derry in 2019, he switched to Saint-Geneviève then Paris 13 Atletico. Since 2021, he has lined out for Thonon Evian in the Championnant National 2 (France’s fourth tier).