A Look Back at Derry City's 2006 Squad

 

                               A Look Back at Derry City's 2006 Squad

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

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

 

MANAGER:

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

 

GOALKEEPERS:

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

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

 

DEFENDERS:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

MIDFIELDERS:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

FORWARDS:

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

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

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

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

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

Pól O'Hare - 23rd January 2024

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A Look Back at Derry City’s 2019 Squad

 

A Look Back at Derry City’s 2019 Squad 

 

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

 

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

Substitutes:

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

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

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

Substitutes:

 

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

 

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

 

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

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

 

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

 

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