Derry City v Shelbourne: Match Preview (1st November 2024)

 

Derry City v Shelbourne: Match Preview (1^st November 2024)

 

Derry City FC v. Shelbourne FC, League of Ireland Premier Division Round 36, Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium, Friday 1^st November 2024, kick-off 7.45pm

 

Last Friday night marked the end of Derry City’s title hopes as the Candystripes fell to a 1-0 defeat away to St. Patrick’s Athletic. City’s wait for a first league title since 1997 will continue for another year, whilst Shamrock Rovers’ victory over Dundalk has seen the Candystripes slip to fourth place in the table. Victory over Shelbourne on Friday night will hand Shamrock Rovers a fifth title in a row, assuming they beat Waterford in Tallaght. A positive result for Shelbourne will ensure their first title since 2006 – and they’ll lift it in the Brandywell. Even if they lost, they’d still win the league if Rovers don’t win against Waterford. For the City faithful, we’re stuck between a rock and a hard place. For Ruaidhrí Higgins and his players, they’ll want to spoil Shelbourne’s party and take some momentum going into next Sunday’s cup final. It’s the end of another League of Ireland season, and the 27th without Derry City winning the biggest trophy in Irish football.

 

Last time out- St. Patrick’s Athletic 1-0 Derry City:

Having to watch those highlights again was grim I must say, but I’ll keep this recap short and (not really) sweet so you don’t have to relive it again. Derry City lined out in Inchicore with a weakened starting eleven, missing Cameron Dummigan, Ciarán Coll, Daniel Kelly, Ben Doherty and Mark Connolly. Shane McEleney captained the side, whilst Duncan Idehen made his first start for the club at left back. Patrick McEleney and Pat Hoban started on the bench despite both being ruled out through injury earlier in the week. A glancing Joe Redmond header eight minutes in was the first real attempt of the game, whilst referee Rob Hennessy set an early precedent by booking Andre Wisdom before the six minute mark. By the 36^th minute, five players had already been booked. Four for Derry (Wisdom, Boyce, Diallo for no apparent reason and Idehen) and one for Jamie Lennon of St. Pat’s. Before the clock struck forty, Derry City had the best opportunity of the game. After Danny Mullen was pushed by Tom Grivosti, Derry’s Scottish striker took the free kick quickly by sliding it through to Adam O’Reilly. O’Reilly rounded Joseph Anang in the Pat’s goal, but his off-balanced effort didn’t have the required power behind it to beat the onrushing defenders and was cleared by Anto Breslin. A great opportunity for a man reportedly linked with joining Stephen Kenny’s side in 2025.  Five minutes later, and Pat’s had opened the scoring. Anto Breslin’s shot from distance ricocheted into the path of Aidan Keena who found himself onside and in the box with just Brian Maher to aim at. His shot was saved brilliantly by Maher, but some pinballing in the box and a poor clearance from Shane McEleney saw former Derry man Brandon Kavanagh fire home. A great finish from a man who the club should never really have let go. We got €25k for him, but it ultimately cost us a league title.

As hoped, Derry started the second half on the front foot. Replacing Ronan Boyce at half time, Collie Whelan found time and space outside the Pat’s box and unleashed a dipping effort off the crossbar on the 56^th minute. Painfully close for the former UCD man. Less than ten minutes later and City should have scored again. Paul McMullan’s low ball into the box wasn’t dealt with by either Anang or Redmond and flicked up just inches behind Collie Whelan who was storming into the area. Wisdom’s ball back in was palmed right into the path of Michael Duffy who, with the net to aim at, fired right at Anang in the Pat’s goal. Derry piling on the pressure but with those missed chances, you just knew it wasn’t going to be our night.

Chris Forrester had the best chance in the remainder of the second half, rouletting and feinting into the Derry box behind firing just wide – if that went it would’ve been one of the goals of the season. The final whistle blew, confirming Derry’s worst fears. In a race that was two horse between Derry and Shelbourne all year, City could now finish fourth. Only Shelbourne and Shamrock Rovers can now win the league, with it looking like we may need to win the cup to get European football in 2025. A bitter end to an up-and-down campaign. It’s the hope that kills you folks, we’re City ‘til we die and that’s why it hurts. Always next year, and the year after, and the year after…

Derry City:

Ruaidhrí Higgins’ injury-hit Candystripes didn’t play badly against Pat’s on Friday. They needed a win, but going to a Pat’s side who haven’t lost in two months was always a tough ask. With Hennessy booking Wisdom within six minutes, Derry City knew they’d be up against it from the start. That’s now just one win for Derry in their last 28 matches refereed by Rob Hennessy. Duncan Idehen did well at left back in the circumstances, it was his full City debut in the biggest match of the season and he was playing out of position. Andre Wisdom and Shane McEleney made an experienced centre back partnership. Wisdom found joy with underlapping runs when going forward in the second half and I didn’t think McEleney had a bad game despite his sliced clearance gifting Pats the game’s only goal. Adam O’Reilly led the energy in the middle of the pitch for City. He’s linked with a move to Inchicore at the end of the season, but Derry holding onto him for another couple of years could be as big as any new signing. The Pat’s defence scuppered Will Patching and Danny Mullen from getting involved in the game whilst Michael Duffy was swarmed by two men at all times – Stephen Kenny identifying his former winger as Derry’s primary threat. Colm Whelan gave Derry City something else going forward and is a different player now that he’s fit and firing again, he’s another man who we need to offer a new contract to ASAP. As was the story in the past couple of weeks, it was vital missed chances that eventually put an end to City’s title charge but, in all honesty, we had probably lost any chance at winning the league with those two draws in our games in hand. To think we would’ve been going into that Pats game two points clear had Paul McMullan scored from six yards against Bohs and Sean Robertson’s stoppage time effort against Sligo didn’t go over the crossbar. If that penalty against Shamrock Rovers wasn’t given, we’d have been out well before now.

Patrick McEleney, who had a plantar fascia injury that would likely rule him out for the season, came off the bench on Friday night. Patrick Hoban, despite being named on the bench in the last two games, doesn’t seem to be fit enough to play in the last couple of games. Instead of risking him further, I wouldn’t play him against Shelbourne either. City’s main signing heading into the season will hopefully finish as the league’s top scorer with 14 goals as long as Pádraig Amond doesn’t score against Rovers on Friday and Johnny Kenny doesn’t bag a brace against Waterford. Not a bad return for Dundalk’s record goal-scorer, but I wouldn’t be shocked to see Colm Whelan start 2025 as our main striker if he stays on. Derry City will be trying to stop Shelbourne from lifting the title in the Brandywell on Friday. A win for City would see Rovers win the league as they’ll probably beat Waterford and, after their storming win away to Larne in the UEFA Conference League, they’re looking good for it at the minute. You’d hope for a good result to take into the cup final as it’s always a good day out. It feels like no time since that first game of the season against Drogheda United in the Brandywell though, that was eight and a half worryingly quick months ago.

 

Friday’s game against Shelbourne could be the last time we see some of the current squad play for Derry City in the Brandywell. Transfermarkt say that Ruaidhrí Higgins’ contract is up at the end of the year and the list of players out of contract at the end of this season doesn’t make for good reading. I’ll list them for you here; Brian Maher, Ciarán Coll, Mark Connolly, Shane McEleney, Patrick McEleney, Andre Wisdom, Adam O’Reilly, Will Patching and Colm Whelan (Transfermarkt). I’m not going to name here who I’d keep and who I’d let go, but you can decide for yourself from that list. There are players there who have been crucial to our team since Higgins had his first proper transfer window ahead of the 2022 season. At the same time, I think that team does need some new blood in it across the field. Centre back and centre midfield seem to be the two areas that I’d assume we’d freshen up on. We have a high average age, so fresh, young talent will do us no harm.  Securing European football before the cup final will be the aim for the Candystripes on Friday night, a draw for Derry would do that if Sligo Rovers beat St. Pat’s. This day three weeks ago we were talking about going two points clear at the top with two home wins. Now, there’s a fear that we could miss out on Europe. Two positive results for City on Friday and next Sunday should hopefully have us entering 2025 looking forward for a new season and with the buzz of a new stand behind the goal on the Lone Moor Road end. Christ, what a year.

Players of the Year:

Nobody has asked for this part, but I’m doing it anyway. It’s my very prestigious list of my top three Derry City players of 2024:

1.        Adam O’Reilly – The heart of City’s midfield, Adam O’Reilly kept the Derry City side ticking in 2024. His energy, close control and passion earned him the love of the City faithful. Rarely does the 23 year old put a foot wrong and there aren’t many in the country who compare to O’Reilly in that deeper midfield role. Coming to the end of his second season at Derry, he’s established himself as a key player for the Candystripes, who will surely be hoping to tie him down to a new contract at the end of the season.

 

2.        Pat Hoban – Dundalk’s all-time record goal-scorer joined Derry City for €25,000 ahead of the 2024 campaign as the Candystripes’ marquee signing. A statement of intent from Ruaidhrí Higgins, Hoban’s goalscoring threat gave Derry a focal point in attack that wasn’t previously available. Physical, strong in the air and comfortable backing into a defender, Hoban has hit the ground running at the Brandywell. With 14 goals in the league, he’s on course to finish the season as the Premier Division top scorer and would’ve likely scored more had he not missed five games through injury. Hoban will be the first Derry City player since Junior Ogedi-Uzokwe in 2019 to claim the Premier Division golden boot if Pádraig Amond and Johnny Kenny don’t bag a couple on Friday.

 

3.        Michael Duffy – One of the finest League of Ireland wingers of his generation, Michael Duffy rejoined Derry City in 2022 after a successful spell at Dundalk. City’s number 7 is a joy to watch on his day, cutting in from the left to whip shots towards the keeper’s far post, like an inverted, Shantallow Arjen Robben. His haul of five goals and five assists in the league isn’t bad at all, but he almost single-handedly took Derry City to the FAI Cup final in 2024. He scored in City’s 3-0 win over St. Pat’s and 2-0 win over Shelbourne, as well as lighting up Dalymount with a brace in the semi-final against Bohemians. His free kick against Bohs will be watched time and time again, whilst the 30 year old will hope to drive his side to the FAI Cup once again next week. His form has been recognised as he was named alongside Pádraig Amond and Dylan Watts as candidates for the PFAI Men’s Player of the Year award.

 

 

Shelbourne:

Just under two years ago, Derry City beat Shelbourne 4-0 in the 2022 FAI Cup final. It was a record breaking cup final win, but despite the scoreline, it marked a successful first season in senior management for Damien Duff. The 100 time Ireland international and two time Premier League winner inherited a Shelbourne side that had been promoted from the First Division and guided them to league safety and a cup final in his first season. By the end of 2023, Shelbourne would finish fourth in the League of Ireland and see European football in 2024 as a result of St. Pat’s’ cup final win. Now into the final game of his third season at the helm, Duff’s Shelbourne would win the Premier Division with victory in the Brandywell, or if Shamrock Rovers fail to beat Waterford. Yes, the league’s been ‘poorer’ than previous seasons, and it was Derry’s league to lose less than a month ago, but Shelbourne have spent the vast majority of the past seven months at the summit of the table. In fact, if Shamrock Rovers manage to win the league on Friday, it’ll be the first time all season that they’ve been top of the pile.

Shelbourne’s defence has been their foundation over the past few seasons. They currently have the best defensive record in the league, conceding 27 in 35 games. That’s one fewer than Galway United on 28. In 2023, only Derry City had a more resolute defence than Shels. Derry conceded 24 in 36 last year, whilst Shels let in just 27. Despite finishing fourth in 2023, Shelbourne have actually scored less goals this year than last and sit on the same points total as they finished last season with. They’ve struggled with ruthlessness this term, but they’ve managed to find goals when it’s mattered, winning 2-1 and 3-1 in their last two to keep their title push alive. That was also coming off the back of a run which saw them win just one in twelve league games and still remain top.

Key to that defensive solidity has been Paddy Barrett. He, alongside midfielder and captain Mark Coyle, were named in the PFAI Team of the Year this season. Barrett’s experience has seen him installed as a mainstay at the back, alongside fellow veterans Sean Gannon and Shane Griffin. Mark Coyle is a hard-hitting number six, whilst goalkeeper Conor Kearns has kept the second most clean sheets in the league with 15, one behind Brendan Clarke of Galway United. His average goals conceded per game stat of 0.8 is also a league best and odes to the defence in front of him. Brian Maher, for comparison, isn’t far behind – he’s kept 13 clean sheets and concedes 0.9 per game on average. Liam Burt, on loan from Shamrock Rovers, provides Shelbourne width in the midfield alongside fellow Scotsman Ali Coote. Rayhaan Tulloch and Matty Smith, returning from a three game ban, are other wide options – both scored screamers against St. Pat’s earlier in the month. Harry Wood returned in the centre of the pitch from Hull City after a spell on loan at Shels in 2023, whilst JJ Lunney has shown his quality in midfield throughout the campaign. Number 9 Sean Boyd’s recent form has maintained Shelbourne’s status at the top. He’s climbing up the goalscoring charts with 10 in the league and has scored three and assisted two in his last five games. His 89^th minute equaliser in the Brandywell back in May ensured that City didn’t overtake Shelbourne at the summit after an earlier Paul McMullan strike. He could be the main man for Shels on Friday.

Round-up:

A win on Friday for Shelbourne would secure their first league title since 2006, when they beat Derry City to the crown on goal difference. City will be hoping to spoil Shels’ party in the Brandywell this week, but should they do so, they’ll hand Shamrock Rovers a historic fifth title in a row. It’s a bit of a nightmare scenario in honesty if you’re a Derry fan, especially knowing that it was in our own hands on so many occasions and we failed to capitalise. Shelbourne have it in them to come back from a goal or two down too, but haven’t won in the Brandywell since April 2022. Shels haven’t beaten Derry City in any competition since that loss, with City winning four and the other seven being draws. The past six league meetings between Derry City and Shelbourne have seen the spoils shared, whilst City’s 2-0 FAI Cup quarter final victory over Duff’s side in September is up there with Derry’s best performances of the season. This one could really go either way and there’s so much on the line. With four red cards coming from the previous seven league encounters, there could be fireworks on Friday – and not just ones left over from Halloween. It’s been a final few games from hell for Derry City in 2024, but Ruaidhrí Higgins will be hoping that his men can bow out of league action with a positive result on Friday before a massive FAI Cup final tie with Drogheda United next Sunday. Watching Shelbourne lift the title would be the scariest thing we’d see this Halloween so, for once, I’m just about okay with Shamrock Rovers winning the league. Again.

Pól O’Hare – 30^th October 2024

Sligo Rovers v Derry City: Match Preview

 

Sligo Rovers v Derry City, League of Ireland Premier Division, Round 2, Sligo Showgrounds, Saturday 24^th February 2024

 

Goals from Ronan Boyce and new signing Pat Hoban saw Derry City begin 2024 with a win against Drogheda United last weekend. Only City and St Patrick’s Athletic recorded wins in the Premier Division on the opening day, meaning that the Candystripes sit top of the league going into Saturday’s fixture away to Sligo Rovers. The Bit’O’Red were unlucky to leave Dalymount with just a point last week, as James Clarke’s stoppage time equaliser rescued a point for Bohemians in a two-all draw.

 

It was a Derry City debut to remember for Pat Hoban as he bagged a goal and an assist against Drogheda. His link up play in the front-line gave Ronan Boyce space to open up and curve a left footed strike into the top corner from outside the box just one minute after half-time. A quarter of an hour later and Hoban had opened his own account for the season, reacting fastest inside the box to slot past Andrew Wogan after the Drogs’ keeper palmed a Will Patching strike into the path of the Galwegian forward. The Louth side responded just four minutes later as left-back Evan Weir, who left Drogheda for Walsall in the off-season before returning on loan, whipped a free kick off the crossbar and in. A deflection off the City wall left Brian Maher stranded, but it was certainly an impressive way to pull a goal back for the away side. Maher had a good game himself though, saving three shots including a Ryan Brennan penalty – his first league penalty save since denying Shelbourne’s Shane Farrell in June of last year.

 

Ruaidhrí Higgins will hope that the injury sustained by Mark Connolly isn’t too serious. The 32 year old centre back was replaced by Shane McEleney just before the Drogheda goal. It was good to see Cameron Dummigan and Adam O’Reilly return to the squad after niggling injuries, and the twenty or so minutes of action that Dan Kelly saw on his debut looked promising. Ciarán Coll also played the last ten, nearly five years to the day since his Derry City debut back in 2019. The absence of captain Patrick McEleney was the one glaring omission from the matchday squad, but it’s believed that the midfielder’s injury isn’t long-term.

 

Sligo Rovers were getting some criticism in the off-season for not strengthening a squad which had an unimpressive 2023. An eighth place finish saw them survive in the Premier Division, finishing six points above Cork City in the relegation play-off spot. Rovers won just two of their last twelve league games last term, one against UCD and the other which all but ended Derry City’s title hopes in late September. Their performance against Bohemians last week showed positive signs for 2024 though. After going behind just five minutes into the first half, goals from Reece Hutchinson and Fabrice Hartmann had Rovers ahead going into the break. If it wasn’t for a 94^th minute leveller, they would’ve headed home with all three points. There were some big departures last year, namely the moves of David Cawley to Finn Harps, Johan Brannefalk to Ariana, Lukas Browning Lagerfeldt to Gefle, Frank Liivak to Levadia Tallinn and the double switch of Karl O’Sullivan and Garry Buckley to Galway United. Derry man Danny Lafferty left the club to return home and join Institute whilst Greg Bolger rejoined Cork City. Striker Pedro Martelo left and goalkeeper Luke McNicholas’ loan to Wrexham was made permanent. This left John Russell with a fairly light squad going into 2024.

 

English winger Ellis Chapman joined Sligo from Cheltenham and seems to have been a shrewd acquisition. He scored a hat-trick in his first appearance – a 5-4 friendly win over Derry in January. The signings of JR Wilson and Simon Power from Shelbourne and Shamrock Rovers respectively bring Premier Division experience and pace on either flank. Ed McGinty returned to the club on loan from Oxford United to solve their goalkeeping woes, whilst Wilson Waweru and Conor Malley signed from Galway United and Dundalk. Charlie Wiggett, who appeared at senior level in a friendly for Newcastle United last year, joined Rovers to give more options in defence – something which they’ll need after John Mahon suffered another unfortunate ACL injury. The return of Max Mata on loan from Shrewsbury Town is undoubtedly Russell’s biggest coup of the window though – the New Zealand international striker netted eleven goals in twenty three games last season in Sligo. He finished as the club’s top goalscorer despite leaving in the summer, Stefan Radosavljević came second with just five in the league. Fabrice Hartmann is always one to watch when Sligo Rovers play too. The German winger, who replaced now Wolverhampton Wanderers striker Matheus Cunha for RB Leipzig in a Europa League qualifier in 2018, has experience playing in the 2.Bundesliga and Dritte Liga in Germany. He scored a wonderful solo goal in Dalymount last week too.

 

Derry City haven’t won in Sligo since beating Rovers 2-1 back in August 2021. The Bit’O’Red have won three of the last four league meetings in the Showgrounds, with the other being a 0-0 draw in October 2022. Will Patching scored the decider in Derry’s last two league wins over Sligo Rovers too: a 95^th minute penalty back in July last year and the only goal of the game in September 2022. There haven’t been more than three goals scored in this fixture since City won 4-0 in 2017 and only once in the last thirteen meetings has the deficit been more than one goal. The aforementioned 5-4 friendly in January hints that the trend of low-scoring games between Derry and Sligo may be due to change however. Derry notoriously struggle in the Sligo Showgrounds but revenge may be on the mind of the City players after last time out. Home and away tickets are expected to fully sell out, so this one should be a good one.

Pól O'Hare - 22nd February 2024

 

A Look Back at Derry City's 2006 Squad

 

                               A Look Back at Derry City's 2006 Squad

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

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

 

MANAGER:

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

 

GOALKEEPERS:

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

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

 

DEFENDERS:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

MIDFIELDERS:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

FORWARDS:

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

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

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

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

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

Pól O'Hare - 23rd January 2024

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A Look Back at Derry City’s 2020 Squad

 

A Look Back at Derry City’s 2020 Squad

 

As Declan Devine prepares his Bohemians side for Sunday’s FAI Cup final, I got thinking about his last full season as Derry City manager. After entirely rebuilding ahead of the 2019 season, eventually finishing fourth and qualifying for Europe, Devine went into the 2020 season after losing his two top goalscorers, Junior Ogedi-Uzokwe and David Parkhouse, along with midfield stalwarts Barry McNamee and Greg Sloggett. Another rebuild was needed in order to maintain top three ambitions. No one could have predicted the Covid pandemic and following lockdown, disrupting the League of Ireland campaign massively and a resulting in an 18-fixture season, but a seventh placed finish – just two points above the relegation zone – was surely a disappointment. 26 players lined out for the Candystripes in the Premier Division during the 2020 season and the poor league finish was likely a consequence of this lack of stability and consistency.

We were only permitted to see Derry in the Brandywell twice that season, two home games against Finn Harps and Bohemians in February, but there were some interesting signings to say the least. I’ll begin by looking at the starting eleven and substitutes for that first game against Dundalk, and I’ll look at the squad from the final game of the season – a penalty shootout defeat against Sligo Rovers in the FAI Cup quarter-finals afterwards. Enjoy the throwback!

Dundalk 1-0 Derry City, League of Ireland Premier Division Round 1, 14 February 2020

(GK) Peter Cherrie – Derry City needed a tried and tested goalkeeper following the departure of Gerard Doherty, who had left the club to sign for Crusaders in 2018. Peter Cherrie, who had a wealth of experience, joined City in 2019 after spells at Airdrie United, Ayr United, Clyde, Dundalk, Cliftonville, Bray Wanderers and Cork City. He was Devine's number one for the 2019 and 2020 seasons and brought a calm head to a young squad. The Scotsman rejoined Dundalk in 2021 and is back-up to Nathan Shepperd, aged 40.

 

(RB) Jamie McDonagh -  A fan’s favourite at the Brandywell, known best for his work-rate and surging runs down the right flank, McDonagh signed for Derry City in 2018 after a spell at Sligo Rovers. Beginning his career at Sheffield United, from where he made loan moves to Matlock Town, Chester and Alfreton Town, McDonagh made twenty-five appearances for Greenock Morton before moving back to Ireland in 2017. After playing more than 60 games for City, McDonagh joined Glentoran in the summer of 2020. A move to Cliftonville followed in 2021 and the 27 year old now finds himself on loan at Glenavon.

 

(RCB) Danny Lupano – Belgian defender Danny Lupano signed on a six month loan from Hull City in January 2020 after impressing for their U23 side. At 19, Lupano had just a few senior appearances with Hednesford Town under his belt, but looked promising in his short spell with Derry. Most remembered for his goal-line clearance against Bohemians, the Belgian returned to Hull City after playing just four games. Four more games followed for Lupano in 2020, on loan at Kings Lynn Town in the English fifth tier. In 2021, he rejoined Derry for a second loan spell, before leaving Hull City in the summer to join Greek side Kalamata, where he still plies his trade.

 

(CB) Eoin Toal – Eoin Toal made his Armagh City debut at 16 after captaining the youth team and was signed by Kenny Shiels in 2017. He became a first team regular for Derry in 2018 and earned the captaincy in 2021. A modern centre-back, comfortable in defence and on the ball, Toal made his last appearance for Derry in a 2-0 defeat to Riga FC in UECL qualifying in 2022. After agreeing on a fee rumoured to be around the £125k mark, he switched to Bolton Wanderers and signed a three year contract. The 24 year old has since made 31 appearances for The Trotters and recently made his full Northern Ireland debut in October 2023, where he was tasked with keeping RB Leipzig’s €24m Slovenian forward Benjamin Šeško quiet.

 

(LCB) Ally Gilchrist – Edinburgh born Gilchrist started his career at St. Johnstone, where he made two appearances. After loans to Elgin City and Peterhead, he signed for Shamrock Rovers in 2018. He was ever-present on the left-side of the Derry City defence after joining in 2019, but a foot injury limited his involvement in 2020 to just six games. He dropped down to the First Division in 2021 and helped Shelbourne to the title before repeating the same feat in 2022 with Cork City. Gilchrist missed out on the Leesiders' promotion/relegation play-off against Waterford yesterday evening through injury and his contract expires at the end of the season.

 

(LB) Ciaran Coll – One of just two players in the starting eleven against Finn Harps in 2020 who are still with Derry City, Ciaran Coll joined the Candystripes in 2019 after a decade with Harps in Ballybofey. The Letterkenny man captained Finn Harps during his spell in Donegal and his switch to their fiercest north-west rivals certainly ruffled a few feathers. Harps were rumoured to be interested in re-signing Coll in 2021 before the defender put pen-to-paper on a new two-year deal at the Brandywell. He has since won the FAI Cup with the Candystripes and his solidity at the back has earned him a contract extension which will see him enter his sixth season as a Derry City player in 2024.

 

(CM) Ciaron Harkin – Alongside the aforementioned Ciaran Coll, Ciaron Harkin is the only other player in that starting eleven to still be contracted to Derry City. The Creggan man was instrumental in the City midfield between 2019 and 2021 after signing from Coleraine, but an ACL injury at the start of the 2022 season, which then reoccurred later in the year, has seen him out of action for nearly two years. With his contract expiring at the end of the 2023 season, Ruaidhrí Higgins made sure to sign the midfielder for 2024 – commenting on his dedication to the club and hunger to come back stronger.

 

(CM) Conor Clifford – Former Chelsea youth player Conor Clifford has had a journeyed career. He made senior appearances for Plymouth Argyle, Notts County, Yeovil Town, Portsmouth, Crawley Town, Southend United, Barnet and Boreham Wood before joining Dundalk in 2017. In late 2017 he was banned for six months by the FA for a betting related charge during his time in England. Clifford joined Limerick in April 2018 but was released in July after the club ran into financial difficulties. After a spell at St. Pat’s, he joined Derry City ahead of the 2020 season and made eleven appearances. An Ireland youth international at U15, U17 and U21 level, Clifford was called into the senior team for a friendly against Croatia in 2011 and a World Cup qualifier against Germany in 2012. He’s now at Lucan United aged 32.

 

(CM) Conor McCormack – Another product of a Premier League academy, Conor McCormack left Manchester United in 2008 after a lack of first-team opportunities, joining Triestina Calcio in Italy. After two and half years and no senior appearances, he signed for Shamrock Rovers and played a role in their Europa League group stage campaign in 2011. After a season and a half at St. Pat’s, McCormack signed for Derry City for the first time in 2015 before leaving for Cork City in late 2016, where he would win the Premier Division title a year later. A combative midfielder, the Louth native rejoined the Candystripes in 2020 but left for Galway United in 2021 where he captained the Tribesmen to the First Division title in 2023.

 

(AM) Walter Figueira – Another Chelsea academy prospect, Londoner Walter Figueira had experience playing in the English Conference Leagues, Greece and Portugal before moving to Waterford in 2019. After impressing in Munster, and scoring twice in the Brandywell during a League Cup semi-final, Declan Devine moved to bring the Englishman up north. He netted three goals in 2020, including a chip to seal the win against Bohemians in February. Figueira moved to Sligo Rovers in 2021 and now finds himself at Haringey Borough, who currently sit second bottom in the Isthmian League Premier Division.

 

(ST) Tim Nilsen – An intriguing signing, Nilsen had an experienced career playing in Scandinavia and joined Derry after netting 28 goals in 48 appearances for Fredrikstad between 2018 and 2019. There was an aspect of the unknown, but we had hopes that the high socked and long sleeved Norwegian forward would replace the missing goals of Parkhouse and Junior. It wasn’t to be though, as Nilsen returned to Norway due to the pandemic and signed for Lysekloster IL. Now 31, Nilsen has scored nine goals in his last seven games for Fana IL in the Norwegian third tier.

 

The substitutes:

Mark McChrystal - Declan Devine brought Derry native and experienced defender Mark McChrystal back to the club ahead of the 2019 campaign. The centre back began his career at Wolves but signed for his local club in 2003 after his release from Molineux, going on to make 43 appearances before signing for Partick Thistle in 2007. McChrystal was released and re-joined Derry City later that year, making 58 appearances between then and winning the First Division in 2010. A period in England followed, which included 114 appearances for Bristol Rovers, alongside spells at Tranmere Rovers and Scunthorpe United. Crusaders signed the then 33 year old in 2017, before rejoining City yet again two years later. McChrystal is now on Ruaidhrí Higgins coaching staff at the Brandywell. 

Moussa Bakayoko – After playing in the Ivory Coast, Morocco and Armenia, the Ivorian winger signed for Derry City after impressing as a trialist but didn’t make a professional appearance in red and white. Moves to Dartford and Havant & Waterlooville resulted in just four combined appearances. Spells in the Czech Republic and Ivory Coast followed before returning to Shirak in Armenia. He now plays for Zhetysu Taldykorgan in Kazakhstan and came on as a substitute in his side’s 2-1 win over Tobol Kostanay in September past – a month after Tobol knocked Derry out of the Conference League.

 

Stephen Mallon – An exciting winger signed on-loan from Sheffield United, Belfast native Mallon is best remembered on Foyleside for a curling shot into the top corner on his first start against Bohemians. He scored again a week later, this time against Waterford. After seventeen appearances he returned to Sheffield United. Mallon signed permanently for Bohemians in January 2021 and scored once before joining Cliftonville in July 2022. He recently scored against Institute in the League Cup, as did former City midfielder Rory Hale and Derry native Ben Wilson.

 

Nathan Gartside – After overcoming both myocarditis and a deflated lung, which saw him miss ten months of action, Nathan Gartside signed for Derry City in the summer of 2018 to rival Gerard Doherty for the number one spot. Once back-up to Heurelho Gomes at Watford, he became City’s first choice keeper ahead of the 2021 season after being limited to mostly cup games in his first two-and-a-half seasons. He made 46 appearances for the Candystripes, and also lined out for Northern Ireland’s U21s. A paperwork error denied him a call-up to the senior team after he was named in the squad for World Cup qualifiers against Italy and Bulgaria in 2021. Gartside moved to Cliftonville in July 2022 and rivals St. Pat’s loanee David Odumosu for the number one jersey.

 

Colm Horgan – Colm Horgan came through the youth system at Salthill Devon before signing for Galway United in 2014. After four years the defender moved to Cork City and scored ten minutes into his debut against Bohemians in April 2018. Horgan wouldn’t score for Cork City again, but did net an own-goal against Derry City in a 4-0 win for the Candystripes in September 2019. He spent the 2020 season on Foyleside, before moving to Sligo Rovers in 2021. He was part of the Galway United side that won the First Division this year, alongside Conor McCormack.

 

Jack Malone – A product of Derry’s academy, midfielder Jack Malone netted his first City goal in July 2019, a strong strike from distance which beat Ed McGinty in the Sligo Rovers’ net. He featured in all 18 Premier Division games in 2020 and played a large part in the 2021 campaign. The midfield additions ahead of the 2022 season saw his gametime limited and Malone signed for Glenavon, where he has featured in all but two Premiership games this season.

 

Adam Liddle – Came off the bench to score a 95^th minute equaliser on his debut against Finn Harps, sending the Brandywell into raptures. He joined Derry on loan from Reading, scoring once and assisting once in four appearances before the season was halted. Liddle now plays for Farnham Town after spells with Chelmsford, Walton Casuals, Hungerford and Hayes & Yeading.

 

  Sligo Rovers 0-0 Derry City (3-1 Sligo on pens), FAI Cup quarter-final, 25 November 2020

 

There are only three players in the starting line-up, and four on the bench, against Sligo Rovers who I haven’t already covered. One scored in Wembley and one is currently in prison, but I’ll focus on the starting players first.

 

(LCB) Cameron McJannet – A fans favourite and an astute signing from Declan Devine, Cameron McJannet has nailed down that left sided centre back spot since his arrival from Stoke City in the summer of 2020. He has since made over 120 appearances for Derry and captains the side in Patrick McEleney’s absence. Two goals and a MOTM award in the FAI Cup final will have Cameron McJannet down as a club legend whenever he departs.

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

(RW) Adam Hammill – The English winger, who began his career at Liverpool, made nineteen Premier League appearances with Wolves between 2010 and 2012. He has made over 360 appearances for fifteen clubs in career, and aside from his time at Wolves, played for the likes of Southampton, Blackpool, Barnsley, Middlesborough, Huddersfield Town and St. Mirren. (If you have a spare few minutes I’d recommended googling his goal for Barnsley against Millwall in the League One play-off final in 2018 because it’s an absolute rocket). After eleven appearances and one goal for Derry, Hammill joined Prescot Cables, retired, then rejoined Prescot Cables. He’s now at Maghull FC in the Carlsberg West Cheshire League Division 1.

 

(ST) James Akintunde – Another cult hero, and proud receiver of the best player-specific Derry City chant in a while, James Akintunde was brought to the club by Declan Devine in the summer of 2020 and scored the on his debut against St. Pat’s. Three more goals followed in 2020 and it seemed that Devine had done some more wise business in bringing the forward to the Brandywell. Some big goals from Akintunde followed in the next two-and-a-half years, namely two 93^rd minute winners against Bohemians and Finn Harps in 2022. After twelve goals for Derry, Devine brought him to Bohemians ahead of the 2023 campaign.

 

Substitutes:

Ibrahim Meite – Meite was brought on the 86^th minute of this game, got a yellow card and missed a penalty in the shootout. He did, however, net a penalty against Shelbourne on his debut – which turned out to be his only goal for City. He made his Cardiff City debut at 21 in 2017, before joining Crawley Town. Loans to Woking and Pirin Blagoevgrad preceded his move to Derry. Meite left the Candystripes for Wingate & Finchley in 2021 where he scored thrice. In December 2022, he was sentenced to fifteen months in prison for a stabbing in London and is, unsurprisingly, retired. 

 

Jake Dunwoody – City signed Dunwoody alongside Meite in July 2020. A Northern Ireland U21 international, Dunwoody played alongside Cameron McJannet at Stoke City’s U21s. He also scored in a game against Reading U21 in which Adam Liddle, who I mentioned earlier, came on as a substitute. After six appearances, including a debut against FK Riteriai in the Europa League, the midfielder left for IFK Helsingfors in Finland, before transferring to SJK Seinäjoki in 2022. He scored against HJK Helsinki this season, as well as assisting Jeremiah Streng’s winner against KuPS in May – the team who Derry defeated in the second round of UECL qualifying. Dunwoody will play for AC Oulu in Finland in 2024.

 

Joe Thomson – Another smart signing, midfielder Joe Thomson brought immense work rate and a rocket of a right foot to the Derry midfield. He made one appearance for Celtic in 2015, whilst going on loan to Dumbarton, Queen of the South and Livingston during his time on the books at Parkhead. As the Covid pandemic affected the finances of Dunfermline Athletic, City swooped to sign the then 23 year old on an 18 month contract. After a few cracking goals and solid performances his contracted was extended until 2023. He was part of the FAI Cup winning squad in 2022 but moved to Larne alongside Micháel Glynn in exchange for Ben Doherty. Thomson won the 2022/23 Premiership at Inver Park and has scored three in his last two games for Larne.

 

Ronan Boyce – Last but not least and it’s another current Derry City man. Right back Ronan Boyce began to break into the Derry squad in 2019, making one appearance in 2019 and one in 2020. With the departure of Colm Horgan, the Ramelton man nailed down the right back spot in 2021 – scoring seven and assisting once, earning him a spot in the Premier Division team of the year that season and a call up to the Ireland U21 squad. He has netted twelve goals for City in total and with over 100 appearances at 22 years of age, that right full back spot will be his for the foreseeable.

Pól O'Hare - 11 October 2023