Derry City v Drogheda United: Match Preview (11th April 2025)

 

Derry City v Drogheda United: Match Preview (11^th April 2025)

 

Derry City FC. v. Drogheda United FC., League of Ireland Premier Division Round 9, Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium, Friday 11^th April 2025, kick-off 7.45pm

After winning their second home game of the season in front of the Ryan McBride Brandywell’s new North Stand last week, Derry City now face league leaders and FAI Cup winners Drogheda United on Friday. City would close the gap to the top to one point with victory and hope to get one over the side who denied them cup glory and European football last November.

Derry City:

2025’s first clash of the cities was very much a tale of two halves. As the new North Stand saw action for the first time, it was the visitors who made the most of early opportunities and were the first to have the ball in the net. Within a quarter of an hour, Portuguese left back Benny Couto found space down the left flank after being picked out by Ruairí Keating. His left-footed ball evaded everyone in the City defence and left Brian Maher stranded before being nodded in by Preston North End loanee Kitt Nelson at the back post. It was a deserved opener for the away side, as the Brandywell was silenced after just fourteen minutes. Two excellent saves from Tein Troost denied Sean Patton within the next ten minutes and a Kevin Holt effort when flashing narrowly wide just before the end of the half. Cork City were then denied a stonewall penalty when Adam O’Reilly’s late tackle in the box had heads-in-hands in the new North Stand. The referee waived away penalty claims, letting the home side off right on the stroke of the break.

Benny Couto’s free kick on the hour mark was another close-call for Derry and needed tipped over the bar by Brian Maher. Tiernan Lynch had to do something to turn the tide of the game and, with the introductions of Gavin Whyte and Dom Thomas 62 minutes in, did just that. They gave The Candystripes an immediate edge, troubling the Cork defence. Three minutes after their introductions and the home side had found themselves level. Following some pinball in the box from a Michael Duffy corner, Liam Boyce nodded across the face of the box towards Ronan Boyce at the far post. The right-back expertly flicked it into the top corner with his left foot, sending the Brandywell into raptures. Boyce-ception for City’s equaliser as both Liam and Ronan registered their first goal involvements of the season.

Less than ten minutes later, and the man of the moment Michael Duffy had the ball in the net again to put Derry City ahead. The lively Dom Thomas picked it up just past the halfway line and drove into the Cork City half. His pass to Duffy saw City’s mercurial winger feint it onto his weaker left foot and beat Benny Couto before firing through the legs of Troost. Bedlam in the new stand and the loudest Brandywell roar of the season as Duffy found his fifth league goal of the season – sending him joint top of the goalscoring chart and equalling his league tally of last year. That’s how to celebrate a first Player of the Month nomination since 2019. The end of the game was overshadowed by injuries suffered to Ruairí Keating and Milan Mbeng – both requiring the introduction of the stretcher. Keating was an immediate pain after landing awkwardly and is out for the season after rupturing his Achilles.Mbeng was stretchered down the tunnel after the full-time whistle following a clash of heads with Liam Boyce minutes earlier. The home side, however, held on to clinch their second home win of the campaign and close the gap to the teams at the top.

Tiernan Lynch spoke of the North Stand being Derry City’s Kop End prior to the Cork City match, and it lived up to those expectations. A goal down at half-time and lucky not to have conceded a penalty, the introductions of Gavin Whyte and Dom Thomas past the hour mark turned the game on its head. Whyte’s injection of pace and creativity was key to City’s attacks in the remaining half-hour, whilst Thomas’ willingness to take on his man and stay hugging the touchline troubled Cork’s fullbacks. When Ronan Boyce levelled the game and ignited the City support, you knew there was another goal in the game. Michael Duffy’s fifth of the campaign was an excellent finish and saw City on their way to the three points, as the North Stand did its bit in sucking the ball into the net when goals were needed. With twice as many supporters in there this Friday, the City faithful will be hoping it has the desired effect yet again.

City’s defence had a few shaky moments in the first half but clung on and denied all that Cork hit it with in the second half, despite the absence of captain Mark Connolly. With Pat Hoban injured and Danny Mullen suspended, Lynch gave Sean Patton his first start up front, partnered with Liam Boyce. The youngster came close twice in the first half before being swapped out for Gavin Whyte in the second period. Whyte and Thomas may be two of the first names on the team-sheet after last week’s performance. Michael Duffy was key to City’s successes once again, whilst Adam O’Reilly was another standout in the centre of the park. He didn’t stop running all game, epitomising the box-to-box role. Towards the end of the game, the Cork-man played a couple of inch perfect balls forward, splitting the defence of the visitors.  Partnered alongside the calm head of Carl Winchester, O’Reilly has been allowed to break the lines into attack and cement himself as one of Ireland’s top midfielders.

The last half-hour of the game against Cork City was the best I’ve seen Derry City play this season. The ball was played forward, out to the wings or through Gavin Whyte in the middle and the interplay was neat. It was confident football and we looked like creating a good opportunity with every venture forward. Thomas, Whyte, Duffy and Ronan Boyce got fans off their seats in the second half and attacked Cork, even after finding the second goal. The three points put City up to 6^th, just four points off top and seven clear of bottom spot. It also means that we haven’t lost in over a month, winning two, drawing two and conceding just twice in the four games since that last defeat. It feels like this side is finally clicking, and with a big tie against FAI Cup holders and current league leaders Drogheda United on Friday, now’s the perfect time to pick up some huge results. With the attendance likely to surpass the 5000 mark on Friday, it has a real big game feel about it and could propel City to within touching distance of the summit. The feel-good Candystripes are back.

Drogheda United:

I’m experiencing the football equivalent of PTSD writing this. After winning just their second FAI Cup when they beat Derry City 2-0 in the Aviva last November, Drogheda United won the play-offs to maintain their Premier Division status. With the promise of European football in the summer, United turned towards a full-time setup; the final team in the Premier Division to do so. Earning a reputation as a well-drilled, hard-to-beat team, Kevin Doherty has done wonders in Louth. Entering their fifth consecutive season in the top flight, Drogheda have gone from relegation threatened year-on-year to winning an FAI Cup in front of 35,000 spectators and getting European qualification. If you’re a fan of Drogheda United, you’ve been living the dream the past few months.

Despite last season's success, many still pipped United to struggle in 2025. They’ve done the opposite. The Louth side find themselves top of the league going into matchday nine, winning four and drawing three of their first eight. Drogs have lost just once this year, that came at home to Shamrock Rovers in mid-March. When you compare it to this stage last season, you can see how far they’ve come. United had won just one of their opening eight fixtures, before going on to win just once more in the next thirteen in the league. It looked like they were destined for the drop, but now sitting top in April, Drogheda’s mindset and start to 2025 must be admired.

Despite the cup victory, United lost key players in the off-season. Veteran midfielder Gary Deegan retired at the end of the season after making the guts of 500 career appearances. Former Finn Harps striker Adam Foley left for Carrick Rangers before himself retiring just weeks later to become U20 manager back at Drogheda United. Defender Jack Keaney was snapped up by Cliftonville, whilst Emre Topcu, James Byrne, Aaron McNally, Manny Milongo and Killian Cailloce all departed for pastures new. Most glaringly in Drogheda’s outgoing list though was Haitian forward Frantz Pierrot. He netted fourteen last season and formed a deadly partnership with Douglas James-Taylor following the latter’s arrival from Walsall. Pierrot travelled east, signing for Bosnian side Velez Mostar and recently bagged a hat-trick against Siroki Brijeg in the Bosnian Premier League.

That exodus left Kevin Doherty with a job on his hands. The goals of Pierrot needed replaced, so Thomas Oluwa was brought in from Wexford and Josh Thomas on-loan from Swansea City. Both have netted this season already. Bridel Bosakani is another young forward with a bright future at the club. Goalkeeper Jack Brady was brought in from Galway United to challenge American Luke Dennison whilst former fan-favourite Conor Keeley returned after a year at St. Pat’s. Paul Doyle joined from rivals Dundalk whilst Californian Owen Lambe signed after spending time in the youth ranks of LA Galaxy and at Orange County SC in America. George Cooper joined on-loan from Mansfield Town, adding further depth in defence. Key to Drogheda’s 2025 recruitment is the fact that both Elicha Ahui and Douglas James-Taylor went recalled to their parent club Walsall after impressive seasons in Ireland.

Ten goals scored and four conceded in the first eight games is good going. Their five clean sheets have given them a core to build on and speak volumes about their defensive structure. Conor Kane, Andrew Quinn, Luke Heeney and Conor Keeley are all experienced in the league and have been joined by new talent from England and the USA. Speaking of the US of A, goalie Luke Dennison also earned plaudits after signing from Bohemians last summer and has been immense between the sticks. Flying wingback Elicha Ahui won Man of the Match in the FAI Cup final, but hasn’t featured this year through injury. The same can be said for striker Douglas James-Taylor, who was on fire before picking up an injury in preseason. With those two in the team later on in the season, Drogheda will concern any team in the league going forward. In all of my Drogheda United previews, I have to stick in how underrated attacking-midfielder Darragh Markey is. The 27 year old recently pipped Michael Duffy to March's Player of the Month award. Shane Farrell and Ryan Brennan have established themselves as a solid duo in the centre of the park behind Markey, whilst Warren Davis is Drogs’ top scorer this season with three. He tends to play alongside Thomas Oluwa up front.

Drogheda United’s form and quality throughout the team emphasise just how far the league has come in the past couple of years. There are no easy wins anymore and, by beating Shelbourne, Bohemians and Sligo Rovers so far, Drogheda United aren’t laying down for anybody. Expect a well-oiled team, rapid on the counter and brimming in confidence on Friday.

Round-up:

Despite 5-1 and 2-1 losses against Derry City in 2024, Drogheda United eventually got the better of Derry City as the year progressed. Their 2-1 win over Derry at the end of September really exposed City’s defensive issues and dealt a huge blow in our title hopes. After failing to secure said title and dropping to fourth, Drogheda then played us off the park in the Aviva Stadium on their way to a 2-0 win if the FAI Cup final. That result denied City European football and triggered a rebuild of playing and coaching staff. With Drogs now full-time and top of the table, they look the real deal and will be out to continue their good form over City.

The Candystripes, on the other hand, will want to enact revenge for last season's failings against Drogheda United. With a winning feeling back at the Brandywell, and the North Stand offering an extra dimension to the stadium and support, Friday’s game could be huge in defining the early stages of City’s season. A win could throw City back into the European race and earn some respect lost at the start of the season, whilst defeat would open the gap to the top three even further. There’ll be a bumper crowd at this one, City haven’t lost to United at home in two years and the sun *should* still be out. Fingers crossed…

Pól O’Hare – 8^th April 2025

Derry City v Cork City: Match Preview (4th April 2025)

 

Derry City v Cork City: Match Preview (4th April 2025)

Derry City FC v. Cork City FC., League of Ireland Premier Division Round 8, Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium, Friday 4^th April 2025, kick-off 7.45pm

It’s a battle of the Cities for the first time in 2025 as Cork City brave the long journey north to face Derry City on Friday. Both sides will be gunning for victory to maintain space between them and the relegation zone, whilst looking to extend unbeaten records. Derry are coming off the back of a hard-fought draw away to Shamrock Rovers, whilst Cork City have lost just one game all season.

Derry City:

I have to start this preview by apologising. At the end of last week’s preview ahead of the Shamrock Rovers match, I went on record saying that “There are always goals in this tie and… I suspect Friday night will be no different”. What we got was the first 0-0 between Derry City and Shamrock Rovers in almost three years – whoops. In honesty though, with City winning just once in Tallaght in the league since 2017, a point away to Rovers isn’t a bad result at all.

The first glimmer of an opportunity for either side came seven minutes in when Michael Duffy whipped a ball towards the back post. An easy enough ball for Ed McGinty in the Rovers goal, but the flight of the ball caught the former Sligo Rovers keeper out. He spilled it and was lucky that Danny Mullen wasn’t more alert to prod home. The first of two flashpoints in the game came 23 minutes in when Paul McMullan fed an inch-perfect pass into the path of Danny Mullen. McGinty mistimed his approach to gather the ball and was stuck between a rock and a hard place – either handle the ball outside of the box or take down Danny Mullen. The keeper went for the earlier option, a choice which saw him receive a straight red card, leaving his side with ten men for the remaining seventy minutes or so.

Derry’s man advantage didn’t last for long, only seventeen minutes or so. Scottish striker Danny Mullen, booked earlier in the half, was adjudged by referee Paul McLaughlin to have clipped a Rovers midfielder and stopped a counter attack. Contact was minimal if any at all and the City forward clearly tried to back out of the challenge. McLaughlin flashed another yellow at the 30 year old before pulling the red card out of his back-pocket. A dubious decision to say the least, which saw Rovers and City level with ten men each on the field going into the second half.

Tiernan Lynch rolled the dice at half time, introducing Liam Boyce and Sean Patton in an attempt to clinch a goal in the second period. Michael Duffy’s looping free kick from range proved to be City’s best opportunity of the game and forced a good save from substitute keeper Leon Pöhls. Ronan Boyce came closest for City ten minutes later when he sliced a volley marginally wide from inside the box - the right back looked promising when adding an extra body to the City attack.

Roberto Lopes had the home side’s best opportunity of the evening on the 72^nd minute when Dan Cleary’s knock-down from a Jack Byrne corner fell kindly for the Cape Verde international at the back post. Brian Maher found himself positioned well to smother the ball despite Lopes’ proximity within the six yard box. Even though Stephen Bradley introduced Rory Gaffney and starlets Michael Noonan and Victor Ozhianvuna late on in the half, they failed to threaten Brian Maher’s goal as the sides settled to share the spoils come the final whistle on the 95^th minute.

Aside from the controversy surrounding Danny Mullen’s sending off, which may leave City light on centre forward options on Friday given the exclusion of Pat Hoban against Shamrock Rovers, more positives came out of Tallaght than negatives for Derry City. The scoreless draw meant that City have now kept back-to-back clean sheets for the first time since August 2024, after getting their first against Sligo Rovers in the game prior. City’s away records against both the Rovers in the past few years have been poor. The recent win in Sligo was our first there since 2021 and we’ve won once in eight years in Tallaght. Looking at it from the bigger picture then, four points and two clean sheets from those two ties are a good return. We’re still seventh but are just five points off the top of the table given the competitive nature of the early stages of the 2025 season.

On the topic of clean sheets, City’s defence was the biggest concern six weeks ago when the season began. We conceded seven in our first four games but have conceded just once in the three following. It’s clear that defensive structure is a key focus of Lynch and co’s training sessions, with three centre halves fielded in each of those last three games. It’s obvious, therefore, that the extra man in defence has been key to our newfound solidity. Hayden Cann was the standout against Shamrock Rovers on Friday. Arriving from a relegated Dundalk last term, the Englishman looked assured and played a key role in those successive clean sheets. He’s not afraid to put his body on the lin or go flying into tackles or headers. With the experience of Kevin Holt and Mark Connolly in the back-line, alongside the balance that Sam Todd provides, it seems City’s defensive woes may a thing of the past.

Adding an extra man into defence does mean taking one away from the midfield or forward line. Finding that sweet-spot will clearly be of upmost importance for Tiernan Lynch and his management staff in the coming days. Michael Duffy was once again key to everything good that City did going forward on Friday night. He’s been phenomenal for us this year and has been given real attacking freedom by the manager. The wait for a goal from open play will now go on a week further though. City haven’t scored from open play since the opening day of the season – February 14^th. With the investment in attacking areas in the off-season, it’ll be a worry for the City faithful that some of our forwards have yet to get going. Gavin Whyte has been an unused sub in the last two, whilst Pat Hoban has started just twice this year. Danny Mullen was given his first start of the season in Tallaght but will have to wait another week for his next after being sent off 40 minutes into the game against Rovers. You can tell Liam Boyce has real class on the ball and is a very technical player, but he is yet to score after his arrival from Hearts. Dom Thomas, another arrival from Scotland, has contributed to just one goal all season and was also unused against Rovers. Sean Patton, who scored five in preseason, looked lively playing alongside Boyce up front in the second half on Friday. Once those players click, and I’ve said this already this year, I can see us blow a team away and really get going. For the City faithful, we’ll be hoping that we see some goals in front of the new North Stand on Friday. With the new stand opening at 50% capacity against Cork City, there’s a bumper attendance in store at the Ryan McBride Brandywell. 

Cork City:

Two years on from their last stint in the topflight of Irish football, Cork City are back in the big-time after winning last year’s First Division by a twenty-two point margin. The second tier in 2024 was something of a walk in the park for the Rebel Army, who began the campaign with a 17 game unbeaten streak before wrapping up the title in early September. Irish champions as recently as 2017, last season marked the club’s second promotion to the Premier Division in three years. Relegated in 2020, Cork City won the First Division in 2022. The following season, however, saw the Munster side struggle back in the topflight, finishing second bottom; albeit 20 points above bottom side UCD. The play-offs brought heartache for City, who lost to rivals Waterford in extra-time, sealing their fate. With last year’s dominance bringing a confidence and swagger to Tim Clancy’s side, their return to the Premier Division has gotten off to a decent start.

After six games, Cork City have lost just one, drawing four and beating Bohemians in the highlight of their year to date. They’re unbeaten at home and have drawn with champions Shelbourne and FAI Cup victors Drogheda United. 2025’s only loss for the Rebels came against rivals Waterford; a late goal again claiming Munster glory for the Blues. With eight scored and eight conceded, Cork’s likely aim this year will be to maintain their Premier Division status - they haven’t began poorly by any means.

The coups of two former fan favourites in the summer of 2024 showed that City were serious about their ambitions. With the First Division title all but wrapped up, eleven time Ireland international Sean Maguire was signed from Carlisle United – warding off interest from Premier Division clubs. He scored 38 goals in 50 games for Cork between 2016 and 2017 before leaving for Preston North End after making himself a key cog in City’s title winning side. Ruairí Keating, nominated for the PFAI Player of the Year after bagging thirteen for Cork City in 2023, returned to the club just eight months after leaving for St. Pat’s. He has scored seven eight his return, as has Maguire – two strikers of real calibre in the Cork front-line. The latter, however has been out since early March with a hamstring injury.

City’s business wasn’t bad going into 2025 either. The most impressive signing came in the form of winger Alex Nolan from St. Pat’s. The 22 year old chose Cork over Bohemians and scored in the 2023 FAI Cup final. Former Oldham Athletic wing back Benny Couto signed from Ashton United and has become a fan favourite. He’s been joined at the club by goalkeepers Conor Brann and Tein Troost, on-loan from Swindon Town and NAC Breda respectively. Also joining the Turner’s Cross side on loan are Rio Shipston from Sheffield Wednesday, Freddie Anderson from Stoke City and Kitt Nelson from Preston North End. French defender Milan Mbeng put pen-to-paper from Zébra Élites, too.

Strength in depth seems to be the way forward for Tim Clancy. He has a big squad but managed to retain a number of his key players – despite an exodus of five to neighbours Cobh Ramblers. Included in said exodus to their Munster rivals were captain Cian Coleman and midfielders Barry Coffey and Jack Doherty, who scored sixteen between them last year. Former Derry City midfielder Evan McLaughlin signed for Cork City ahead of the 2024 campaign and was deployed at left-back, ultimately earning himself a place in the First Division Team of the Year after racking up twelve goal involvements in the league. He hasn’t featured in 2025 following a pre-season injury, however. Veteran midfielder Greg Bolger is still key to the midfield at 36 years of age, whilst 20 year old Englishman Rio Shipston has impressed by making two assists so far. Malik Dijksteel is a tricky winger and exciting to watch, whilst Cathal O’Sullivan was the star of the show for City last year. He came off injured on the opening day this year and only returned to the squad last week. The seventeen year old scored seven goals in the league last season. Left-footed and with the technique of a player a decade his senior, the winger isn’t short on confidence and has attracted the attention of some of Europe’s elite. His highlight reel already makes for some viewing.

Cork City haven’t won in the Brandywell since 2018 but will be energetic and determined given the nature of their young squad. Their quality in attacking areas and ability to grind out a result would make any team in the league wary. With three draws from their last three, Tim Clancy will be hoping that his side enact revenge on Derry City after defeat in the FAI Cup meeting between the two last year.

Round-up:

It’s a first league meeting between these two in almost eighteen months as both Derry City and Cork City look to climb the Premier Division table with three points on Friday. The visitors have drawn each of their last three games, whilst Derry are desperate for only a second home win of the season. The Candystripes dumped Cork out of the FAI Cup via a Sam Todd header on their way to the final in 2024 and will look to extend a twelve game unbeaten streak against the Rebel Army, dating back to October 2018. Cork City have scored just once against Derry in the last six meetings between the sides, but have bagged three more than their hosts this season and have lost only one game all year. With the opening of the new North Stand adding an extra factor to Friday night’s game, the home side will be gunning for three points and extension to their clean sheet record. It’s City against City for the first time in 2025…

Pól O'Hare - 31st March 2025

Shamrock Rovers v Derry City: Match Preview (28th March 2025)

 

Shamrock Rovers v Derry City: Match Preview

 

Shamrock Rovers FC v. Derry City FC., League of Ireland Premier Division Round 7, Tallaght Stadium, Friday 28^th March 2025, kick-off 8pm

Tiernan Lynch’s Derry City went into the international break a rejuvenated side following their 1-0 away win over Sligo Rovers two weeks ago, their first in the Sligo Showgrounds since August 2021. The three points lifted the Candystripes off the foot of the table and into 7^th, condemning their hosts to tenth place in doing so. Next up for City is a trip to Shamrock Rovers, a side who put four past Lynch’s Larne side on his last visit to Tallaght in UEFA Conference League action.

Derry City:

Heading down to Sligo rooted to the bottom of the Premier Division table, and without the suspended Carl Winchester and injured Kevin Holt, Derry City needed a victory to escape the relegation zone. Knowing that defeat would leave them bottom going into the two week international break, Tiernan Lynch’s side were desperate to get one over the team who effectively put an end to Derry’s title charge in each of the last two seasons. When the team sheet came out and City had no central defenders on the bench, there were fears that the league’s top scorers could continue their three-and-a-half year unbeaten streak over the Candystripes at home.

It was the hosts who started the game the brighter, despite a coming together between Cian Kavanagh and Dom Thomas straight from kick-off igniting a fracas and slowing the first minutes. The first meaningful attempt of the evening came just after the quarter hour mark, when an inch-perfected lobbed ball from Reece Hutchinson on the halfway line dropped for Jad Hakiki, who lobbed over Brian Maher. With multiple heads-in-hands in the away end, Sam Todd cleared off the line to keep the scores at nil-nil. Heroic defending from the centre back, but it wasn’t the first time that a ball over the top undid the City rearguard.

Five minutes later though, and the away side had a breakthrough. As City’s free-kick supremo Michael Duffy stood over the dead ball on the twenty minute mark, you had a feeling we’d get something out of it. His inswinger was a troubling one for the Sligo defence, evading everyone in the box and bouncing before nestling in the top corner. Despite Rovers’ protestations (the linesman flagged for offside before the referee said it didn’t touch anyone and awarded the goal), the travelling support went into raptures as the Candystripes went a goal to the good.

On a difficult pitch, the match got scrappy and neither team could get the ball down to play much football, leading to a fairly uneventful remainder to the first half. With Ciaron Harkin replacing Sadou Diallo following injury and Shane Ferguson coming on at half-time for Dom Thomas, it seemed like Derry were prepared to sit in and fight for the victory. Danny Mullen’s introduction on the 69^th minute give City energy in the front line, as he pressed the Rovers defence and made himself a nuisance. A sliced effort from him just minutes after coming on proved to be Derry’s last decent opportunity of the game.

Hearts were in mouths across the Showgrounds as the lively Jad Hakiki broke on the counter-attack after nipping the ball from Adam O’Reilly. He drove into the box and played one-two with Cian Kavanagh before sliding in Stephen Mallon. The former City winger had a golden opportunity to level his side on the 86^th minute but took one touch too many and fired straight at the onrushing Brian Maher. A great save from City’s number one to clinch the point for the travelling side; their first in the Showgrounds since 2021. A huge three points for Tiernan Lynch’s men, who enjoyed the victory as much as the travelling support in the corner. City off the foot of the table and hopefully out of the relegation zone for good.

The game against Sligo Rovers wasn’t one for the football purist. The pitch made it difficult for both teams, who resorted to lumping it long to get the ball up the park. Michael Duffy’s goal was his fourth of the campaign and City’s fifth. It was Duffy’s third goal from a dead-ball situation; two penalties and a freekick. Only one of City’s goals in 2025 have come from open play, that was Duffy’s equaliser against Shelbourne on the opening day, meaning it’ll be six weeks when City next play since their last open-play goal. That’s a worry for Tiernan Lynch, who’ll be hoping to create more down the middle and get Liam Boyce in dangerous positions more often. The former Hearts man showed his close-control and technical prowess in the Showgrounds but doesn’t find himself poaching in the box often.

The long-ball nature of the game in Sligo often bypassed the midfield, leaving City’s two in the middle to fight for second balls and break up possession. In a way, that suited Adam O’Reilly and the later introduced Ciaron Harkin – two players who aren’t afraid to get stuck in. City’s centre backs were solid too, beating Cian Kavanagh to every ball in the air and refusing to be bullied by the former City and Pat’s forward. Sam Todd, being left-footed, and Hayden Cann provided balance either side of captain Mark Connolly in the middle, who looked back to his assured best. Sadou Diallo was withdrawn through injury, although Carl Winchester will be back against Rovers following suspension. Tallaght’s large pitch could suit the Candystripes, who have been impressive at times this season when playing with the ball on the ground.

With a two week break and positive away win under the belt, Tiernan Lynch will have his side well-drilled going to Tallaght on Friday. These games are always entertaining, with this one likely to provide more fireworks. City have taken all three points away to Rovers just once since 2017, back in March 2023. After breaking the curse of a winless streak in Sligo though, City will be gunning for the same again this week.

Shamrock Rovers:

The achievement of five league titles in a row was one step too far for Shamrock Rovers in 2024, albeit four in a row isn’t bad going. After a slow start, winless in the first four, Rovers strung a bit of form together but had a stop-start summer period as they juggled European qualification with a title challenge. Their FAI Cup journey ended at the first hurdle last year, with defeat to Bohemians in Round Two. With all focus on European qualification, getting to the second round of Champions League qualifying before making their way to the Europa League play-offs, Rovers entered the UEFA Conference League league phase (mouthful) via defeat to PAOK of Greece in the aforementioned Europa League play-off round.

Despite their inconsistency, the Hoops finished second in the Premier Division, just two points behind winners Shelbourne. In fact, they were top on the final day until Harry Wood’s late goal in the Brandywell clinched the title for the Tolka side. Thinking of it, Rovers should thank us for completely collapsing and giving them a hit at another title. A decent finish in the end for Stephen Bradley’s men, but it was on the European stage were his side shone brightest. An injury-time header rescued a point at home to APOEL Nicosia, before Rovers made light work of Tiernan Lynch’s Larne side – despatching their northern counterparts 4-1 in Windsor Park. Victory over TNS of Wales, Bosnia’s Borac Banja Luka and an impressive draw away to Rapid Vienna saw Rovers unbeaten and already qualified for the knockout play-off round going into their last game, becoming the first Irish side to progress through the group stages of continental competition. Chelsea but five past Rovers in Stamford Bridge in the final game, with Marc Guiu netting a hat-trick. After beating Molde away in the knockout round first leg, Rovers had their hearts broken when they lost to the Norwegian side on penalties in the second leg. Molde have since been eliminated by Legia Warsaw. No matter where your allegiances lie, Rovers’ European run was some feat, and did wonders for the coefficient. Fair played to them.

A cool seven million quid in the bank off the back of their European escapades, but the draw of knockout football and an assumedly healthy bonus couldn’t persuade some of Rovers star men to stay. Markus Poom’s loan from Levadia Tallinn came to an end, as did Johnny Kenny’s from Celtic. Rovers failed in a late swoop to bring Kenny back after an appearance for Celtic meant he couldn’t register for anyone other than the Glasgow side or Rovers this year. Wing-back Neil Farrugia made the move to Barnsley, whilst winger Darragh Burns saw his loan from MK Dons expire before being snapped up by Grimsby Town.

Long-time centre back Seán Hoare switched to St. Pat’s, whilst Carl Lennox and Gideon Tetteh moved to UCD and Athlone Town respectively. 18 year old striker Cian Dillon joined Queen’s Park Rangers, whilst Coonan Noonan joined Waterford on-loan and has been one of the Blue’s best players this year. Striker Marc McNulty also departed, leaving Rovers light up front. Moves for Johnny Kenny and former Bohemians striker Jonathan Afolabi didn’t materialise. Derry’s Pat Hoban was also rumoured to be a target. Rovers, then, turned their attention to Michael Noonan of St. Pat’s. They handed the 16 year old his debut in the Conference League against Molde, where he became the youngest ever goal-scorer in European competition proper when he bagged in the second half. The re-signing of Rory Gaffney then took the pressure of the youngster’s shoulders to lead the line, as he and Aaron Greene provide experienced heads up top.

Danny Grant, a man with a tattoo of Dalymount Park, crossed the divide to sign from Bohemians – much to the delight of the Bohs fans as you can imagine. Ed McGinty, who impressed on-loan at Sligo Rovers, signed from Oxford United, whilst former Cork City midfielder Matty Healy joined from Belgian outfit Royal Francs Borains. Adam Matthews, the former Celtic fullback who started in that famous win over Barcelona in Parkhead in 2013, was another statement signing to strengthen the defence. Lastly, right-back Sean Robertson, who spent the second half of last season at Derry City, joined for the Hoops after seeing his contract mutually terminated at the Brandywell.  Decent business all-round from the Tallaght side.

The departure of Johnny Kenny left a gap in the forward line in the shape of a man who bagged 13 goals in the league and five in the UEFA Conference League. A brilliant young striker, it’s yet to be seen if Bradley’s side can replace those goals this year. Michael Noonan is yet to get off the mark in the league, with Graham Burke being their top scorer in the league with two. Aaron Greene, Danny Grant and Aaron McEneff have also all converted in 2025. We know all too well Shamrock Rovers’ main threats. A midfield consisting of last season’s PFAI Player of the Year Dylan Watts, Jack Byrne, Aaron McEneff, Gary O’Neill and Danny Mandriou has seen the addition of Ireland U21 international Matty Healy.

Fullback Josh Honohan was recently called up to the Ireland senior provisional squad, the only LOI player included, whilst Cape Verde international Roberto Lopes forms an experienced back-line alongside Dan Cleary and Lee Grace. Adam Matthews has been injured this season whilst Dan Cleary came off with a knock last time out, but former Candystripe Sean Robertson will be out with a point to prove. I think he looked lively at City, aside from the miss against Sligo Rovers which would’ve put us top of the league. Ed McGinty and Leon Pohls aren’t bad options between the sticks either. When you factor in young talents such as Victor Ozhianvuna, who debuted in the Aviva on the opening day, you wouldn’t be mad putting money on Rovers to regain the title in 2025.

Round-up:

Sitting in sixth with a game in hand, registering two wins, a draw and two losses from their first five in the league, Rovers will be looking to extend their two game winning streak from before the international break. That streak included coming from behind away to league leaders Drogheda United and victory over title hopefuls St. Pat’s. Bolstering the second best defence in the league, the Hoops will be out to limit City’s attacking talent and exploit their pace as they have done against Derry in the recent past.

The Candystripes sit level on points with Shamrock Rovers and will hope to use the Tallaght pitch to get the ball down and play good football. With victory in Sligo breaking a near-four year hex in the Showgrounds, City will be aiming to go one further and get only their second win away against Shamrock Rovers in eight years. Avoiding a repeat of a defeat akin to that seen in Tiernan Lynch’s last game against the Hoops will be key. He’s out for revenge. There are always goals in this tie, and with both sides tasting victory last time out, I suspect Friday night will be no different.

 

Pól O'Hare – 24^TH March 2025

Sligo Rovers v Derry City: Match Preview (15th March 2025)

 

Sligo Rovers v Derry City: Match Preview (15^th March 2025) 

Sligo Rovers FC v Derry City FC, League of Ireland Premier Division Round 6, Sligo Showgrounds, Saturday 15^th March 2025, kick-off 7.45pm

Tiernan Lynch’s start to life as a League of Ireland manager hasn’t gone quite to plan, with his Derry City side sitting bottom of the Premier Division table after five games. It’s early days though, and with a promising showing in a 1-1 draw with Galway United last week, he’ll hope that his side earn a win over bogey-side Sligo Rovers on Saturday.

Derry City:

Coming into last Friday's tie with Galway United, a side unbeaten in their first four and with the second best defence in the league last year, Derry City would have needed a much improved performance to avenge back-to-back defeats in their previous two. With key midfielder Carl Winchester suspended, Tiernan Lynch gave a debut to Hayden Cann and set out with a back five in defence. City started the brighter too, holding most of the ball in the early stages. Dom Thomas came painfully close with a snapshot which flashed just wide of the post within three minutes, before Liam Boyce nodded a cross from the Scotsman narrowly wide fifteen minutes later. Derry’s peppering of the Galway goal continued as Michael Duffy, Kevin Holt and the aforementioned Thomas each worked Brendan Clarke within the first 40 minutes.

In typical fashion, and despite dominating the first half, City found themselves a goal down going into the break. A long throw from Ed McCarthy found its way to New Zealand international Moses Dyer at the back post, who poked in to give the away side an advantage just minutes before half-time. City’s fortunes turned six minutes into the second half though. When a bouncing ball was caught on the volley by Sadou Diallo, it deflected off the upper-arm of Pat Hickey and went wide. Referee Neil Doyle duly pointed to the spot and flashed a yellow card at the American. It looked dubious from the replay, you can see why the travelling support found themselves hard done by. Michael Duffy made no mistake from the spot however, as he rifled one into the roof of the net to level the scores.

Despite the finding the equaliser, Derry failed to truly threaten Brendan Clarke’s goal in the remainder of the second period. Deep into injury time at the end of the half, a misjudged bounce from Kevin Holt saw Jimmy Keohane nip in to go one on one with Brian Maher. The veteran midfielder tried to clip the ball over the Derry stopper, but was denied by a strong right hand from the 24 year old. A major heart-in-mouth moment for City, who picked up a fourth point of the season.

Friday night didn’t yield the win that the City faithful are so desperate for, but the first half in particular showed that when this team click’s the attacking football can be impressive. Dom Thomas, Liam Boyce and Michael Duffy caused The Tribesmen’s defence all sorts of issues before the visitor’s scored.  The Candystripes sit bottom of the table, but there isn’t a panic-stations factor that you might expect from a team in that position. I’m convinced that this team will click and give someone a hammering, but there are no easy games in this division anymore. With just one win, one draw and three losses from the opening five, City will hope to come out firing with a huge performance to beat John Russell’s Sligo Rovers on Saturday and pick up a first win in three weeks.

Michael Duffy’s penalty was his fourth goal of the season, but City’s wait for a goal from open play will extend past the one month mark when they kick-off in Sligo. Duffy’s header from a Dom Thomas cross on the opening day of the season is City’s only goal from open play this year; there has been a free kick and two penalties since then. With the attacking quality in this team, City will surely begin to climb the table when the likes of Liam Boyce, Pat Hoban and Danny Mullen manage to find goals from central areas.

Going into Saturday’s game, City are without the suspended Carl Winchester, who serves the final of his two game punishment. Cameron Dummigan is City’s only long-term injury concern, whilst new signings Gavin Whyte and Shane Ferguson made the bench last week. Paul McMullan spent the full 90 on the bench, that’s the first game of his Derry City career in which he hasn’t been involved. Hayden Cann showed that he’ll provide good cover in centre back, whilst Ben Doherty and Ronan Boyce looked promising as wingbacks should Lynch continue to employ the back-five system. Brian Maher will also be on the hunt for just his second clean sheet of the season, after conceding eight in the first five. With a two week break, then an away game with Shamrock Rovers after this one, Tiernan Lynch will be hoping that City can clinch a first competitive win in Sligo since August 2021.

Sligo Rovers:

After a 6^th placed finish in 2024, Sligo Rovers’ 2025 campaign hasn’t got off to the start they wanted. After five games, Sligo find themselves in the relegation zone. They’ve conceded twelve in those fives, but launched set out on launching comebacks against both Waterford and St. Patrick’s Athletic which resulted in tense finishes. A first victory of the season at home to Shamrock Rovers, followed by a point away to Cork City, showed that Rovers’ season may be on the turn.

That opening game against Waterford in the Showgrounds saw the home side go 2-0 down within 33 minutes, before scoring five minutes into the second half and missing a penalty which would’ve had them level on the 57^th minute.  Waterford eventually ran out 3-2 winners, but Rovers showed fight to come close to their visitors and pressed hard late on to find an equaliser. It was a similar story two weeks later in Inchicore, when they conceded twice in as many minutes, before pulling one back through an own goal to go into half-time 2-1 down. It was 3-1 on the 52^nd minute, but a Cian Kavanagh double saw Sligo level in the 78^th minute. By the 80^th though, Pat’s were ahead again and held on for a 4-3 win. A 3-0 loss away to FAI Cup winners Drogheda United means that they’ve conceded 10 in their last two against the Louth side.

John Russell, after becoming Sligo Rovers manager in July 2022, quickly proved that he could do a job on a low budget. His first experience in management, aside from a gig at Westport United, Russell has Sligo Rovers playing direct football and grinding results over the line. Their ten draws was the third lowest in the Premier Division last season, whilst they won thirteen and lost thirteen of the other 26. Russell would have been happy enough with a 6^th placed finish, despite winning just one of their last six. Their 51 goals conceded was the second worst in the division, although seven of those came in one match away to Drogheda United in September. Being tighter at the back will have been a big aim for Sligo in 2025.

The summer losses of Max Mata, to Auckland FC, and Fabrice Hartmann, whose loan from RB Leipzig expired, saw Sligo Rovers lose two players who contributed to 15 goals in the first half of the season. Midfielder Ellis Chapman stepped up, scoring nine and assisting three to become the Bit’O’Red’s talisman from the centre of the park. The Englishman swapped the west coast for North Dublin in the off-season though, signing for Shelbourne and representing a big loss for Russell’s men. Wilson Waweru, signed last season from Galway United, scored seven in the league, whilst Simon Power and Conor Malley both notched four.

Sligo Rovers had a tough preseason in terms of departures, losing some of their key players. Ed McGinty’s loan from Oxford United came to an end before he signed for Shamrock Rovers. Winger Simon Power and captain Niall Morahan left for St. Pat’s and Bohemians respectively, whilst JR Wilson and Kailin Barlow joined promotion hopefuls Athlone Town. Highly rated 16 year old Aidan Gabbidon left for pastures new too, signing for Malmo in Sweden, who will have to pay compensation for the youngster.

Losing a number of his best players, it would always be a tough window for Sligo Rovers. The marquee signing is ex-Ireland U21 midfielder Jake Doyle-Hayes, who made 50 appearances for Scottish side Hibernian after signing from St Mirren in 2021. If they can keep him fit, they have a player with Scottish Premiership quality entering the prime of his career. Winger Francely Lomboto, who made more than 90 appearances for Galway United, signed to provide width, as did New Zealand international Oskar van Hattum. The 22 year old spent his entire career to date with Wellington Phoenix and featured in all of his nation’s matches at the 2024 Olympics in Paris. Ronan Manning also made the switch from Galway United, joined in the midfield by Matthew Wolfe, Jad Hakiki and 18 year old Brazilian by Guilherme Rego Priosti from Esbjerg, Dundalk and Longford Town respectively.

Former Derry City striker Cian Kavanagh joined from St. Pat’s and has scored twice this season – unfortunately already missing two penalties. Defender Harvey Lintott joined on loan from Northampton Town after making 16 appearances in League One last season, whilst the shrewd acquisition of Sam Sargeant from Waterford is a good replacement for Ed McGinty between the sticks.

With a necessary rebuild in key positions, Sligo Rovers have brought in talent, but their start to the season shows that it hasn’t quite gelled just yet. Similar struggles for Derry City and Sligo Rovers in the early stages of 2025. Level on points with the Candystripes at the bottom, scoring four more but also conceding four more, this game looks like it will be entertaining though. The Bit’O’Red still look quite light in defence, although could have scraped draws against Waterford and St. Pat’s if Cian Kavanagh converted his spot-kicks. They’re always a bogey team for Derry City and are on the hunt for a second home win of the season, opening a further buffer on the Candystripes at the bottom of the table.

Round-up:

As the two-teams occupying the bottom two spots of the Premier Division table meet on St. Patrick’s weekend, fans of both Derry City and Sligo Rovers will be hoping for sunshine, blue skies and entertaining football on Saturday. Both sides desperate for a win after picking up just four points from the first five games, Sligo Rovers have the worst defensive record but are the highest scorers, while only Shamrock Rovers have scored less goals than Derry - they’ll both be looking to go all-out at each other in the Showgrounds. Derry City will be hoping that their preseason win over Sligo Rovers will spur them on to a first competitive victory there in three and a half years, while Sligo Rovers look to extend said record until the next meeting in Connaught between the two in July. We’re bottom of the league, haven’t won here since 2021 and Rovers are encouraging fans to dress as leprechauns for a world record attempt. What could possibly go wrong?

Pól O’Hare – 11^th March 2025

 

 

Match Preview: Derry City v Galway United (7th March 2025)

 

Match Preview: Derry City v Galway United (7^th March 2025)

Derry City FC v. Galway United FC, League of Ireland Premier Division Round 5, Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium, Friday 7^th March 2025, kick-off 7.45pm (LOITV)

 

After losses against both Waterford and St. Patrick’s Athletic in the past week, Tiernan Lynch will be hoping that his side bounce back to gain points at home to an unbeaten Galway United on Friday. With just one goal scored from open play this season, the Candystripes have the task of breaking down one of the League of Ireland’s most resolute defences and getting the better of the team who had the second best defence in the Premier Division last season. The fixture list isn’t getting any easier for City, who are desperate for a second win of the season.

Derry City:

It was a Friday night to forget for Derry City as they slumped to a home defeat against Waterford. As a suspended Tiernan Lynch watched from the gantry, his City side were struck with the sucker punch of two first half goals to contend with going into half-time. The first came nine minutes in, when left-back Kyle White found himself in acres of space up against an out-of-position Ciaron Harkin in the Derry box. The 20 year old latched on to Conan Noonan’s pass and dummied it past the defender before toe-poking into the bottom corner to give the away side a deserved 1-0 lead. That lead was doubled six minutes before the break. Another delivery from Conan Noonan, this time and in-swinger from a free kick, deflected and found its way to the feet of defender Kacper Radkowski. The Polish centre half took one touch before firing low and past Brian Maher at his near post – one which City’s number one won’t want to see again.

Derry had chances throughout the game on Friday night, despite a lacklustre first half and scattergun second. Liam Boyce had two opportunities in the first half, one a header comfortably gathered by Stephen McMullan and the other coming from a Dom Thomas cross. Thomas’ low, left-footed ball in was flicked by a diving Boyce and went tantalisingly over. Boyce wasn’t to know this, but that was going to trouble the keeper if left. Gavin Whtye, on his first start for the club, found the linesman flag denying him a debut goal when his left-footed volley in the box was deemed to be offside. The second half was more positive for City, who played with more energy and strove to make attacking inroads. When substitute Ben Doherty was felled by Navajo Bakboord in the box, Pat Hoban stepped up to net his 200^th career goal and pull one back for City. That should’ve been grounds for a comeback, but guilt-edged misses from Robbie Benson and Mark Connolly squandered hopes of taking any points from the game. A Conan Noonan shot cleared off the line really should’ve saw Waterford three to the good. With regards to the referee, no comment.

With St. Pat’s grabbing their first win of the season in an entertaining 4-3 win over Sligo Rovers, Derry City’s players looked to have a long weekend ahead of them before travelling to Inchicore on Monday night. The first half performance on Friday left a lot to be desired. City failed to test Stephen McMullan to any real degree, whilst Waterford’s direct passing through the centre of the park led to the first goal and exposed previously seen weaknesses in the Derry defence. Keith Long won the tactical battle, with balls over the top to 36 year old Pádraig Amond seeing him outpace both of City’s centre-halves at times in the second period. The Candystripes also struggled to break down Waterford’s low block, something which we saw last season. The dreaded sideways passing crept into City’s play as they looked for openings which rarely appeared. In more positive terms though, it was Ciaron Harkin’s first Derry City start in three years and three days following an ACL injury hell and he played with good desire despite not operating in his natural midfield role. Danny Mullen also returned to the squad following an injury in preseason whilst last season’s top goalscorer Pat Hoban notched his first of the campaign. Kevin Holt looked solid in the air on Friday and his ability on the ball, particularly being left-footed, gave balance to the defence. He looked particularly calm whilst in the middle of a back three. Ronan Boyce missed out through injury, whilst new signing Hayden Cann failed to make the bench.

After suffering injuries and suspensions to key players in their win over Sligo Rovers four days prior, St Pat’s looked a weakened side going into Monday night. Starting in a 4-4-2 formation, Chris Forrester was their only recognised central midfielder in their squad. If you thought this would have given Derry City an advantage though, you’d be wrong. In fact, if you made a list of things that could have gone badly in that match, it’d probably be quite accurate to what did actually happen.

After starting brightly, holding most of the ball and putting together some decent passing moves, Derry City were behind after a quarter of an hour. Aidan Keena broke past Mark Connolly and evaded the slipping Kevin Holt before playing in Mason Melia, who went down in the box after feeling contact from Ben Doherty. To be fair, it looked more of a penalty in real time than it did on the replay, the referee clearly thought this too as he appeared to ignore Pat’s penalty claims before pointing to the spot seconds later. Dubious call number one of the night. Keena stepped up and finished expertly to see his side take the lead. Minutes later and City had penalty shouts of their own waived away when the ball ricocheted up off the arm of John Redmond, strong protestations from the Derry players and even an ‘oooh’ from the commentators. Dubious call number two from our match referee in a moment that the LOITV editors found unnecessary to show a replay of – interesting.

The remaining half hour of the first half came and went but the match was thrown back into life two minutes into the second period. After a heavy touch by Mason Melia in the centre circle, Carl Winchester hit the 17 year old with a strong tackle, taking both ball and man. Once again, the referee put his hand to his top pocket to pull out a yellow card. After being surrounded by protesting Pat’s players, he removed his hand from his top pocket and showed Winchester a straight red card. A harsh decision, the third in the ‘dubious’ category of the night. Twenty minutes later and the game was wrapped up. Jake Mulraney found space to carry the ball from the right flank into the centre of the pitch. Just as Keena received the ball on the half-turn, he was downed by Adam O’Reilly. This time it was a fair enough penalty and was converted cooly by Aidan Keena for his fifth in four games. Some player to be fair to him.

Across the two games last weekend, Derry City failed to impress. Two losses from two and four goals conceded left a lot to be desired. The two against Waterford were defensive errors, the first saw Kyle White sneak in behind Ciaron Harkin and the second saw Brian Maher beaten at his near post. Against a weakened St. Pat’s, both goals came frustratingly from penalties. As per the X account @gametwohalves, Derry City had an expected goal tally of 3.33 on Friday night, their highest since a 4-1 win over UCD in May 2023. Whilst I’m not big into xG readings, it shows that chances were created and simply not finished. A clinical edge would’ve seen us nab three or four against Waterford. The St. Pat’s game was a different story. The referee’s performance aside, City created very little. Joseph Anang didn’t have a save to make and a speculative effort from distance from Adam O’Reilly in the second half was City’s closest chance. We’ll need a big improvement on Friday to get points out of a Galway United side who held Shelbourne to a draw on Monday night and haven’t lost this season.

Carl Winchester will be suspended for the visit of Galway United on Friday, whilst Cameron Dummigan is still an injury miss. Ronan Boyce’s absence in the last two games leaves the right back berth decidedly short – both Ciaron Harkin and Adam O’Reilly filled in there recently and it seems there’ll be some rejigging to fit a makeshift right fullback in the squad against Galway. Whether the officials are to blame or not, Derry City’s disciplinary record has been poor since coming into the new season. With just four games played, we’ve picked up fifteen yellow cards two red cards (including Tiernan Lynch) and given away three penalties. Aside from the obvious – gifting goals and leaving players walking tightropes – it’ll have opponents and referees alike hyperalert to any sniff of a foul. We saw against Bohemians how little a referee feels a manager has to do to justify sending him off.

In some more positive news, 18 year old Sean Patton was brought in to replace Pat Hoban when City needed a goal in the second half in Richmond Park, although he and his attacking teammates didn’t find much joy in behind the Pat’s defence. Danny Mullen came in for his first appearance of the season after picking up an ankle injury against Sligo Rovers in preseason. New signings Dom Thomas, Liam Boyce, Shane Ferguson, Robbie Benson and Hayden Cann all failed to feature against St. Patrick’s Athletic. They and their teammates will hope to bounce back and leave the Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium on Friday night with at least a point. It’s early days yet, but there aren’t any easy games in the Premier Division anymore.

Galway United:

After winning the First Division by 25 points in 2023, scoring 98 goals in the process, much was anticipated of Galway United’s return to the Premier Division after a six year hiatus in 2024. Despite losing four of their first eight games, Galway United found form and became one of the hardest teams in the division to beat. They went nine games unbeaten mid April and the end of May last year, before later losing just two of their last twelve to consolidate a fifth placed finish. Said finish in fifth meant that they ended the campaign just three points behind Derry City in fourth, and seven behind European spots. They only scored 33 goals in 36 games, averaging 0.92 per match, but conceded just 29 all season. Only Shelbourne conceded less goals than John Caulfield’s side in 2024.

Galway United fans will be hoping for much of the same in 2025. United have a real knack of grinding out results. Their defensive solidity and work ethic make them one of the league’s most well-drilled outfits. With the addition of goals this season, there’s no reason why Galway won’t be striving to finish in the European places. Despite losing eleven players, two of which are loan deals, Galway tied their most important players down before going on to make new additions. Left sided centre back Rob Slevin, a target for Derry City last year, committed for another year. As did Patrick Hickey, the American midfielder who scored a brace against St Pat’s on matchday two after bagging away to Cork City a week prior.

John Caulfield and Ollie Horgan seemed to broaden their horizons when it came to recruitment this year. Australian winger Daniel Stynes, who spent the last four years playing for Perth Glory and Newcastle Jets in the A-League, was the first addition. He was followed by eleven time New Zealand international winger Moses Dyer. He came through the ranks at Auckland City, but had spells in Norway, Canada and America before signing for Galway from Vancouver FC. Welsh goalkeeper Evan Watts was signed on-loan from Swansea City to provide cover and competition to the ever-present Brendan Clarke, whilst 18 year old striker Max Wilson joined him on loan from Preston North End. Former Sligo Rovers and Finn Harps academy prospect Sean Kerrigan signed on an intriguing deal from Michigan State University, as he gets his first taste of professional football aged 22. The loan signing of Cian Byrne from Bohemians is Galway’s only dealing with another Irish club and seems to be a shrewd acquisition.

Retaining their star performers has been Galway’s best business going into 2025. Patrick Hickey, who contributed to eight goals from midfield last year, was tied down to a new deal despite rumoured interest from Shamrock Rovers. Rob Slevin, key to the defensive line, was also kept on for another year, warding off interest from Derry City. Slevin’s average Sofascore rating in the league last year was 6.98, behind only fellow centre back Killian Brouder, goalkeeper Brendan Clarke and the aforementioned Hickey. Clarke kept 16 clean sheets last season, joint top in the division, despite having to make just 2.3 saves per game – owing to the quality of he and his defence. A solid team of solid performers quite clearly.

Full-back Jeannot Esua is staking a claim for the title of the league’s best right back at the minute, notching two assists in the first four games of the campaign. Greg Cunningham, a former Ireland international and Premier League left-back, offers a calm and experienced head on the other side of the back four. Brouder and Slevin have Colm Horgan, Cian Byrne and Garry Buckley for cover in one of the best defences in the league. Brouder volleyed into the top corner to equalise away to Drogheda United last weekend. Conor McCormack, a former Derry City captain, has been an ever-present in the Galway midfield since signing in 2021 and seems to be only getting better with age. Jimmy Keohane’s talents don’t need much explanation either, he returned to Ireland after a four-and-a-half year spell with Rochdale last summer and is another tidy, experienced head in the centre of the park. David Hurley only scored twice in the league last year, but netted 22 in the First Division a year prior. The width provided by Belfast man Bobby Burns will likely cause defences problems, whilst Stephen Walsh and Moses Dyer will be tasked with leading the attack. Walsh bagged nine last year, including a winner in the Brandywell.

Unbeaten and with six points from their first four, Galway United have started how they mean to go on. They’ve drawn with champions Shelbourne and current high-fliers Drogheda United, alongside defeating St. Pat’s. Beating Derry City both home and away in 2024, they’ll be looking for a similar outcome on Friday. Hard to beat and quick going forward, Tiernan Lynch will have his side well warned of his opposition’s strengths. There haven’t been more than two goals in this tie since September 2017 so if either side are to win the game, they’ll have to take their chances.

Round-up:

Hoping to bounce back from a disappointing duo of fixtures, Tiernan Lynch’s men will aim to beat Galway United for just the second time since 2017. This meeting last year yielded home and away victories for Galway, whilst City found a 2-0 home win in June. The other fixture resulted in a scoreless draw in Eamonn Deacy Park in early May. Galway United have only won twice at the Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium in the last decade, once in May 2015 and the other in March 2024. City have won six at home against United since that third last league win for the Tribesmen on Foyleside back in September 2009.

With just one goal scored from open play and one win on the board in 2025, the pressure’s on Derry City to get something out of Friday’s match. With a slight habit of gifting goals to the opposition, i.e. through three penalties and a couple of mistakes, City may look to take a leaf out of John Caulfield and Ollie Horgan’s book on defensive solidity. Galway United, on the other hand, are unbeaten after four games and know how to grind out points. With one just one defeat on the road in the league since July, they’re coming to Derry with a gameplan in mind – to continue their unbeaten run against a City side who have had a stuttering start to the campaign. Ah jaysus, as they say.

Pól O’Hare – 3^rd March 2025

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