A Look Back at Derry City’s 2019 Squad

 

A Look Back at Derry City’s 2019 Squad 

 

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

 

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

Substitutes:

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

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

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

Substitutes:

 

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

 

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

 

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

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

 

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

 

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

Derry City v. St Patrick’s Athletic: Match Preview

  

Derry City FC v. St. Patrick’s Athletic FC., League of Ireland Premier Division Round 36, Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium, 3^rd November 2023 kick-off 7.45pm

 

            It’s the final game of the 2023 campaign and Derry City have European football secured for the summer of 2024. The Candystripes’ 1-0 away win against Cork City last week, thanks to an unstoppable Ronan Boyce strike, saw them guarantee European football for the third season in a row. City face a St. Patrick’s Athletic side who too have claimed their spot in UEFA Conference League qualifiers next season, but will have one eye on preparing for the FAI Cup final. Should Derry avoid defeat, they will finish second in the League of Ireland Premier Division for the second season running – the first time they have done so since 2005 and 2006.

 

            St. Pat’s’ 2-0 defeat to Shamrock Rovers in their previous league fixture saw Rovers clinch their fourth consecutive league title. The Saints found themselves within one point of the eventual champions at the end of Round 26 in August, whilst City spent time at the top of the table back in May. The two teams in the Brandywell on Friday night both failed to capitalise on Shamrock Rovers’ poor start and will end the season with a sense of ‘what if?’, particularly from a Derry point of view.

                       

Last week’s win over Cork City saw the Candystripes dig deep in awful weather conditions. Despite two disallowed goals, one for offside and one for a foul, and a flurry of late chances in the second half, Cork couldn’t find a goal. The defeat condemned the Rebels to a promotion/relegation play-off against the winner of Waterford and Cobh Ramblers. Ronan Boyce’s goal was a worthy winner and a spectacular way to guarantee European football. The right back left fly into the top corner after a one-two with Cameron Dummigan outside the box. Danny Mullen could’ve, and really should’ve, made it 2-0, but it takes the pressure off Derry going into the final game of the season.

 

Derry’s record against St. Pat’s this season is scattered. On the first day of the season back in February, Joe Redmond scored in the 89^th minute to equalise for the Saints after Jordan McEneff opened the scoring. In late April in the Brandywell, a goal and assist from Ben Doherty saw City cruise to a 2-0 victory. It was a different story in June though as the Saints hit Derry for four in what was their most impressive result of the season, condemning Derry to their heaviest defeat of the Ruaidhrí Higgins era. Pat’s also progressed to the FAI Cup quarter-finals after a penalty win against Derry back in August, a trophy which they’ll hope to win next Sunday.

           

Derry’s Sadou Diallo will miss the final game of the season after his dismissal against Shelbourne two weeks ago. The midfielder picked up a two match ban after his tackle on Shane Farrell. Centre back Mark Connolly was replaced in the second half by Sam Todd after going down injured. Jamie McGonigle was only fit enough for the bench against Cork City and didn’t feature. Patrick McEleney, who is going for Achilles surgery following the game against St. Pat’s, played over twenty minutes after being substituted on alongside Danny Mullen and Jordan McEneff. Ciaran Coll also featured late on. St. Patrick’s Athletic have no injury concerns aside from John Grivosti’s long-term setback, although Jon Daly made use of all five substitutes against Shamrock Rovers.

 

Chris Forrester is joint top of the Premier Division scoring charts alongside Ruairi Keating, Jack Moylan and Jonathan Afolabi – an impressive feat for the 30 year old midfielder. He and left back Anto Breslin are the only two players in the St. Pat’s squad to feature in every Premier Division game this season. Seventeen year old Sam Curtis has played in 33 games, as has striker Conor Carty. Dean Lyness, Jamie Lennon, Mark Doyle and Tom Lonergan have all featured in more than thirty. Winger Jake Mulraney was a high profile signing from Atlanta United in the off-season and has contributed with thirteen goal involvements in 28 league appearances this term. Mark Doyle is Pats’ second highest scorer in the league, sitting on seven goals – the same amount as Derry’s top scorer Michael Duffy.

 

For Derry City, the 2023 campaign was a strange one. The highs were high and the lows were low. The season began positively. A 2-0 win over Shamrock Rovers in the President’s Cup in February seemed to be a statement of intent from Ruaidhrí Higgins’ side. Four wins and three draws from their opening seven games saw Derry unbeaten until April, but a rocky patch around the Easter period saw City drop to fourth – six points behind then leaders Bohemians. A disappointing 2-0 home defeat to Shamrock Rovers on the first of May saw the Tallaght side leapfrog Derry into second place. Four wins on the bounce followed, but an inconsistent spell of two wins from eight games prior to their first European game had City four points behind first placed Rovers in early July.

 

            Derry City and HB Tórshavn played out a cagey 0-0 draw in the Faroe Islands in the first leg of the first round of UECL qualifying. Sadou Diallo’s first half header in the return leg in the Brandywell saw the Candystripes enter the second round for the first time since 2014, where a tough tie against Finnish side KuPS lay ahead. Despite going into half-time 1-0 down, the electric Brandywell crowd drove the players to a famous 2-1 win. Will Patching and Cian Kavanagh’s goals won’t be forgotten any time soon. The return tie was just as historic. Derry went ahead early on, but again found themselves behind at the break. Second half goals from Diallo and Michael Duffy meant the game finished 3-3 and saw Derry progress on aggregate. Tobol Kostanay had shocked FC Basel to progress to the third round before beating Derry 1-0 in the first leg out in Kazakhstan. The return leg was to be played in Tallaght Stadium, and a travelling crowd of more than 3,000 were desperate to see City pull off a famous result. It looked like it was going to happen too. Will Patching netted a penalty in the first half after a period of sustained Derry pressure. After 120 minutes though, it wasn’t meant to be as Tobol progressed through a heartbreaking penalty shootout.

 

            Three days later, Derry suffered penalty heartache once again. This time, Friday’s opposition St. Pat’s were victorious in the FAI Cup second round. In truth, it seemed like the emotional rollercoaster of a week which saw City exit both Europe and the cup were to define Derry’s season. The Candystripes have only lost one game since then, a 1-0 away defeat to Sligo Rovers, although that all but ended City’s realistic title hopes. Four draws in the last nine league games saw Derry drop points, and saw Rovers run away with the title. A win for both Derry and Rovers on Friday would still see the four-time champions end the season with a seven point gap to second place. It seems like players, staff and fans alike need the season to end on a positive note with a win on Friday, before starting the new campaign on a clean slate to go again. Should Derry hold on to key players, the additions of just a few new faces could push City to a sustained title charge in 2024.

 

Pól O’Hare – 1^st November 2023

Cork City v. Derry City: Match Preview

 

Cork City FC v. Derry City FC., League of Ireland Premier Division Round 35, Turner’s Cross, Friday 27^th October 2023, kick-off 7.45pm

 

            It’s the penultimate game of the season and a win for Derry City can clinch European football for 2024. The Candystripes have fallen to third place since their 0-0 draw with Shelbourne last Friday, as St. Pat’s defeated Sligo Rovers in their game-in-hand to go within three points of league leaders Shamrock Rovers – whom they face in a title decider this week.

 

            Derry suffered their third sending off in their last five games in the draw with Shelbourne as Sadou Diallo was dismissed for a late tackle on Shane Farrell – leaving City at a man disadvantage for the best part of seventy minutes. It was a dull evening for the Candystripes who failed to muster a shot on target and had to rely on a couple of fine saves from Brian Maher to get anything out of the tie. A win for Shelbourne would’ve seen them come within two points of Derry going into the last two fixtures.

 

            Derry City have the worst recent form of any team in the top half of the table, picking up just six points from the last five games. Their only win in that time came against UCD in the Brandywell and are scoreless in the last two. Cork City are six points behind Sligo Rovers in eighth place and anything but a win for the Rebels will mean that they must play in the promotion/relegation play-off if they are to avoid the drop. Cork’s recent record doesn’t make for easy reading for their fans either. Similar to Derry, they have picked up just six points from their last five. After beating Sligo Rovers 3-0 in early September, Cork have lost to Shelbourne, Dundalk and St. Pat’s in the league before beating UCD 2-0 last weekend. Both Cities need a turnaround in form in order to finish the season positively.

 

            Derry will be without midfielder Sadou Diallo against Cork after his red card against Shelbourne last week. There do, however, seem to be no new injury concerns for the Candystripes. Patrick McEleney and Jordan McEneff both played for more than half an hour off the bench, whilst Ronan Boyce replaced Paul McMullan on the eightieth minute in order to maintain defensive solidity. Brandon Kavanagh also played the last five minutes. Ciaran Coll was an unused substitute for the third game in the row, whilst Mark Connolly, Sam Todd, Cian Kavanagh and Tadhg Ryan all played no part against Shelbourne. Ben Doherty will make his 100^th appearance for Derry City against Cork City on Friday.

 

            Cork City have both a mostly clean bill of health and a clean suspension record coming into the tie against Derry. Only two Cork players have made over thirty league appearances this season though - centre back Josh Honohan and striker Ruairí Keating. Captain Cian Coleman and midfielder Aaron Bolger have made 29 appearances, whilst former Finn Harps frontman Tunde Owolabi and ex-Celtic midfielder Aaron Bolger have both made over 25. Star of the show in Turner’s Cross this year has undoubtedly been the aforementioned Ruairí Keating. The 28 year old striker, who beat Will Patching to the September Player of the Month award, has netted thirteen league goals this season so far – leaving him joint top of the Premier Division’s scoring chart with Jonathan Afolabi and Chris Forrester. He’ll be in confident form after netting the winner against UCD last week. Eighteen year old midfielder Joe O’Brien Whitmarsh, who also scored last week, is second in Cork’s league scoring charts with just four goals – showing the Rebels’ reliance on Keating. Interestingly, five different goalkeepers have lined out for Cork City in the league this season. Ireland U21 goalkeeper Jimmy Corcoran has made the most appearances with twenty, whilst Altrincham loanee Ollie Bryne has made nine. Tiernan Brooks, who has also played for Ireland’s U21s, suffered an injury on his Cork City debut on loan from Notts County. Tobi Oluwayemi, who is now loan at Admira Wacker from Celtic, started Cork’s first two games of the season – including in the 2-0 loss against Derry in the Brandywell.

           

            That 2-0 win in February was the first of Derry’s three victories over Cork City this season. Colm Whelan scored the winner in a 3-1 win in Turner’s Cross in his return from injury back in May, whilst Tiernan McGinty netted the winner on his Derry City debut against Cork City in late June. The Candystripes will be hoping to finish the season with a 100% record against the Rebels - UCD are the only other team who Derry have beaten in all four meetings this term. Cork City haven’t beaten Derry since October 2018 when ex-City man Barry McNamee netted the opener in a 3-0 win in the Brandywell. The last victory for Cork against Derry in Turner’s Cross came in July of that year when they put five past the Candystripes. Garry Buckley netted twice, whilst former Crystal Palace defender Damien Delaney found his first Cork City goal. Current First Division top scorer Ronan Coughlan scored late on, whilst Rochdale midfielder Jimmy Keohane also scored.

 

            With just two games remaining in the 2023 campaign, it’s a disappointment that Derry’s title charge dwindled out just as it was beginning to look possible. Qualification for Europe is paramount for City though. Aside from the fact that it is attractive to prospective new players, the financial impact of going a few rounds into European qualification is significantly more than the prize money for winning the league or cup. With a tricky tie against St. Pat’s in the last game of the season coming up next week, a win against Cork City on Friday is necessary.

 

Pól O’Hare – 25^th October 2023

Derry City v Shelbourne: Match Preview

 

 

Derry City FC v. Shelbourne FC., League of Ireland Premier Division Round 34, Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium, Friday 20^th October 2023, kick-off 7.45pm

 

            Derry City’s dreams of a first league title since 1997 are all but over after a 0-0 draw away to Drogheda last time out. A win would have put Derry within two points of Shamrock Rovers, albeit with Rovers having the comfort of a game in hand, but the gap now sits at four points going into the last three games of the season. Shamrock Rovers can guarantee a fourth league title in a row with wins over Cork City and Drogheda United in their next two fixtures, whilst the Candystripes now look concerningly over their shoulder. St. Pat’s sit just two points behind City and have a game in hand – a rearranged home tie against Sligo Rovers due to their FAI Cup involvement – which will take place three days after a tricky away game against fellow cup finalists Bohemians in Dalymount on Friday.

 

            Friday’s opponents, Shelbourne, found themselves entering the international break in the top four after defeating Dundalk 1-0 in their last fixture. They have played the same number of games as Derry City (33) and sit five points behind the Candystripes. St. Pat’s, who sit in third, have both a three point buffer on Shels as well as a game in hand. Bohemians – after defeating UCD in their game in hand last week – have leapfrogged Shelbourne to retake fourth spot from their cross-city rivals.

 

            With just five points separating second and fifth in the table, Derry City will need to ensure that they don’t slip up in order to consolidate their place in the European spots. St. Pat’s and Bohemians have the comfort of knowing that, if they both finish in the top four, they will both get European qualification for the 2024 season. If a team who finishes in the top three – already guaranteeing European football – also wins the FAI Cup, fourth spot in the league table will be sufficient to gain entry to the UECL qualifiers next year. As Derry City finished second and won the cup in 2022, fourth placed St. Pat’s gained European qualification for the 2023 season – City repaying the favour from the year before.

 

            A win over Shelbourne, and a Bohemians loss against Pat’s, would see City go six points above Bohs in the league table. Therefore, they would need just one point from their final two games, or for Bohs to drop points, to guarantee their spot in UECL qualification in 2024. Whether Derry finish second, third or fourth, they will get European football as long as St. Pat’s and Bohemians make up the other top four spots along with Shamrock Rovers. Conceding just three goals in their last six games - whilst scoring fifteen - City will aim for positive results in their last three games to end the season on a positive note. It’s not as exciting as a title race, but it’s important to come away from the season with European football to look forward to. Summer signing Paul McMullan admitted that European football was definitely a factor in choosing to come to Derry, and it’s a draw that the club needs to have in order to attract the best attainable talent.

 

            Derry City, though, may have a few new niggles to be concerned about going to the tie against Shelbourne. Cameron McJannet went down on the hour mark against Drogheda and was replaced by Sam Todd. The 25 year old knew his game, and possibly his season depending on the severity of the injury, was over – signalling to the bench that a substitution was necessary. Adam O’Reilly seemed to pick up an injury off the ball and stayed down for a short amount of time. He played on until the 77^th minute when he was replaced by Brandon Kavanagh. Patrick McEleney, and the aforementioned Sam Todd, featured for the Candystripes for the first time since the 5-0 win over UCD in early September. Colm Whelan is out for the season, and it’s looking unlikely that Ciaron Harkin will return before November either. Ronan Boyce was an unused substitute on the bench after missing the previous game as a result of his sending off against Sligo Rovers. There are no new suspension worries for Derry though, as each of their last four games have all seen a red card – two of which were distributed to Derry players.

 

            Shelbourne travel to the Brandywell after losing just once since defeat away to St. Pat’s on the 23^rd of June. That loss came away to Shamrock Rovers at the end of September and, since the loss in Inchicore in June, Shelbourne have won six and drawn five league games. Damien Duff’s men also boast the best defensive record in the league, conceding just 23 goals in 33 games – Derry City trail close behind having conceded 24. Scoring goals seems to have been Shelbourne’s main problem this season, having won nine of their thirteen league wins by just one goal. Their goal tally of 37 is the fourth lowest in the division, higher only than the clubs in the bottom three: UCD, Cork City and Sligo Rovers. Jack Moylan is their top goal-scorer in the league with ten goals, whilst Sean Boyd and former Derry winger Matt Smith are tied on second with just four goals each. Both Boyd and Smith have been injured since July and August too. Their tally of fourteen draws is also the highest in the league, whilst only Shamrock Rovers have lost less games this term – highlighting their defensive solidity but lack of ruthlessness in front of goal.

 

            Shelbourne haven’t beaten Derry City since April 2022, when their ten men won 2-1 in the Brandywell - their last league victory against the Candystripes before that came in June 2012. Two 1-0 wins for Derry, two 1-1 draws and a 0-0 draw have since followed in league action, showing how close-fought ties between these two usually are. Aside from City’s 4-0 demolition of Shels in the 2022 FAI Cup final – the biggest margin of victory in Irish cup final history – games between City and Shelbourne are rarely high scoring. There hasn’t been a winning scoreline separated by more than one goal in the league since Derry’s 3-1 home win in October 2013. Michael Rafter and Rory Patterson scored the goals for the Candystripes that night. This doesn’t seem to apply for cup action though, with the last three FAI Cup games between Derry City and Shelbourne ending 4-0 to Derry in 2022, 7-3 to Derry in 2018 and 3-0 to Derry in 2012. There has been a red card show in two of the three meetings between the two this year, one apiece for each side. With both teams gunning for European qualification, Friday night’s affair could be a heated one.

 

            It was announced in June of this year that Hull City’s Turkish owner Acun Ilıcalı had purchased a stake in Shelbourne FC to become majority shareholder. It’s expected that Shels will have significantly more financial backing going into the 2024 season, despite Damien Duff denying claims from Stephen Bradley that Shelbourne would have the biggest budget in the league next year. The extra financial might that may come from Ilıcalı’s ownership hasn’t yet been seen, but the loan signings of goalkeeper Harry Fisk, midfielder Harry Wood and forward Will Jarvis – all from Hull City – have hinted at how the relationship between Hull and Shels may look in the future. Fisk has been kept out of the starting eleven by Conor Kearns, but Harry Wood has two goals and five assists in twelve appearances since joining in the summer. Will Jarvis has made nine appearances, with his first goal for Shelbourne turning out to be the winner against Dundalk last time out.

 

            Shelbourne have a real gem on their hands in Jack Moylan though. Up there with the best young players in the League of Ireland, Moylan has netted ten goals and registered three assists in the league this term. The 22 year old is comfortable in playing across the front-line or in attacking midfield. Unfortunately for Shelbourne, it was announced that he will join Lincoln City in League One upon the expiration of his contract at the end of the season. Moylan is one of three players in the Shelbourne squad who have appeared in all thirty-three league game this season, alongside Conor Kearns and Evan Caffrey. Midfielder JJ Lunney is just one behind, on thirty-two appearances. Left back Tyreke Wilson and winger Shane Farrell have also made thirty appearances. Shelbourne have one of the youngest sides in the division too, with just three players being over the age of 26 in the squad - Paddy Barrett and Luke Byrne, both aged 30, and Shane Griffin, aged 29. With all three being defenders, their experience has played a large part in Shelbourne’s impressive record at the back.

 

            Despite lacking in the goals department, Shelbourne’s defensive stability is their key strength. Derry made chances against Drogheda but failed to put them away - something which has cost them dear in the title race this season. A clinical edge in front of goal will be required if City want to finish 2023 unbeaten against Shelbourne, whilst another draw may prove problematic going into the penultimate games of the campaign – especially considering how close second to fifth are in terms of points. Even though the title race is over, Derry need to record wins from their last three fixtures to end the season on a high.

 

Pól O’Hare – 11^th October 2023

Drogheda United v Derry City: Match Preview

Drogheda United v. Derry City, League of Ireland Premier Division Round 33, Weavers Park, Friday 6^th October 2023, kick-off 7.45pm

 

            Derry City bounced back from defeat against Sligo in style, scoring five second-half goals to hit relegated UCD for six in the Brandywell. Six different scorers netted for the Candystripes, with Will Patching’s sweeping effort into the top corner the pick of the bunch – one of two goals for the Englishman which have been nominated for the League of Ireland’s goal of the month award for September. Michael Duffy also scored once and assisted twice to help City to their biggest margin of victory this season.

 

            Despite the dominant nature of the win, Derry still sit five points behind Shamrock Rovers at the summit after a second-half Graham Burke strike saw the Hoops past Dublin rivals Shelbourne. Now with just four games to play before the season’s end, it’s Rovers are firmly in the driving seat. Ruaidhrí Higgins and his men haven’t lost hope though, knowing they’ll need to win all twelve points from their final four fixtures in order to capitalise should the champions lose two of theirs.

 

            Drogheda United lie in wait for Derry City, less than two weeks after beating third place St. Pat’s in Inchicore – all but ending the Saints’ title push. In the Louth Derby four evenings later though, Drogheda fell to a 3-1 defeat against Dundalk despite going 1-0 up in the first half. Sitting twelve points above the stricken Cork City in the relegation play-off spot, and three above Sligo Rovers in 8^th, Drogheda are as good as safe from the drop though. Their goal difference of -7 is also considerably better than Cork’s -26, meaning Drogheda will want to finish the season in a strong fashion and without having to worry about relegation.

 

            Both Derry City and Shamrock Rovers have to face Drogheda United, St. Patrick’s Athletic and Cork City before the season’s out. Derry face Shelbourne in two weeks’ time, whilst Rovers are due to play Sligo Rovers on the final day. Derry’s demolition of UCD, who drew 0-0 with Shamrock Rovers a week prior, has meant that the Candystripes have weakened Rovers’ goal difference advantage on the Candystripes to two. With four games to go, and Rovers going without a fixture until the 20^th of October, Derry must win all of their last four games in order to maintain a slim chance of lifting the title in November. Another issue is the fact that the teams who are more likely to take points from Shamrock Rovers – Drogheda and St. Pat’s – both face Derry. Higgins’ men will need to carry on with their fine goalscoring form.

 

                        Drogheda United, since losing 3-0 in the Brandywell in August, have had mixed form. They went on a three game winning run, beating Kerry FC in the FAI Cup before scoring three times back-to-back against Cork City and UCD. After a 3-1 defeat to Bohemians in the cup quarter-final, the Louth side held Bohs to a scoreless draw in the league before beating St. Pat’s earlier last week. They will be hoping to bounce back from their most recent defeat to Dundalk but have beaten Derry just once in their previous seven league meetings. Three one all draws occurred in those seven games, whilst both sides beat each other 1-0 away. In March 2022, a Jamie McGonigle brace ensured a 2-0 win for the Candystripes. The Dungiven man netted again in August 2023 – a 3-0 win in the most recent tie between the sides.

 

            Derry haven’t scored more than one goal in Weavers Park since May 2021, and have won just once there since. Adam O’Reilly bagged his first goal for the club to capture all three points last time City travelled to Drogheda. It’s not just Derry who struggle in Drogheda too. Shamrock Rovers haven’t won there in the league since August 2021, with their last win in Drogheda coming after-extra-time in the second round of the FAI Cup in 2022. In saying that, Drogheda have won just five of their sixteen home games this season and Derry have lost just two of their last 18 against the Louth side. The City faithful will be glad to hear that Derry have the best away form this season, picking up 28 points on the road.

 

            If Derry captain Patrick McEleney doesn’t feature on Friday night, it will have been a month since his last appearance, when he played 35 minutes in City’s 5-0 win against UCD on September 6^th. Some of his creative spark seemed to be missed against Shamrock Rovers, and definitely against Sligo Rovers as City struggled to create meaningful chances. Against UCD last week however, City’s starting front three were on form. Danny Mullen and Michael Duffy both scored, whilst Paul McMullan registered an assist. Brandon Kavanagh looked lively off the bench and did well to score City’s fourth and assist the sixth. Jamie McGonigle will also have been pleased to have scored his first goal since mid-August, when he last netted against Drogheda United. Ronan Boyce’s suspension was served last Friday meaning he is eligible to play in Weavers Park. Despite being on the bench for the past three games, Sam Todd hasn’t played since that 5-0 win over UCD in early September either.

 

            Drogheda United centre back Conor Keeley, who was the subject of a bid from Notts County during the summer, missed the Louth derby through injury. He has made thirty league appearances since joining from Ballymena United in January and will be a miss in the Drogheda defence. He was replaced in the starting eleven by Jamie Egan, who has made just three appearances since joining on loan from Bristol Rovers in the summer. 17 year old goalkeeper Andrew Wogan has started every league game since taking Colin McCabe’s spot in June and seems a promising netminder. He has kept just three clean sheets – against Bohemians, Shamrock Rovers and UCD – but hasn’t shied away from Premier Division football.

 

Dayle Rooney started against Dundalk after scoring a goal of the season contender to beat St. Pat’s. That goal was his fourth of the season. Along with nine assists this campaign, the former Shelbourne winger is in good form. Darragh Markey has also racked up seven assists this campaign, whilst former Finn Harps frontman Adam Foley has six goals and five assists in twenty five league appearances. Manager Kevin Doherty has tended to set his team up in a 4-2-3-1 but beat Derry City with a 3-5-2 back in April.

 

            It looks unlikely that the Candystripes will lift the league title this year, but it’s not over just yet. A few blips along the road for Shamrock Rovers could open the door for City should Ruaidhrí Higgins’ men keep winning. Finishing the season strongly and winning their last four games would give the players confidence going into the new campaign next year – but there is still work to be done this term yet.

 

Pól O’Hare – 4^th October 2023