CityView Vol-40 No-17 - Derry City vs Shelbourne - Saturday 14th September

DERRY CITY F.C. v SHELBOURNE F.C. SPORTS DIRECT MEN’S FAI CUP QUARTER FINAL SATURDAY 14th SEPTEMBER 2024 | 5.45pm Vol. 40 - No. 17

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Welcome to...

SHELBOURNE F.C.

DERRY CITY FOOTBALL CLUB Formed:

1928

Ground:

Brandywell Stadium

Manager:

Ruaidhrí Higgins

Asst Manager:

Paul Hegarty

Coach:

Conor Loughrey

Fitness Coach:

Kevin McCreadie

GK Coach:

Michael Dougherty

Development:

Mark McChrystal

Perfor Analyst:

Seamus McCallion

Opp Analyst:

Gerard Boyle

Physio:

Michael Hegarty

Equipment:

Gerry Sheppard

Kit Man:

Gavin Doherty

Kit Man:

Philip Johnson

Doctor:

Dr. Noel Boyle

CITYVIEW is the Official Match Day Programme of Derry City FC. The views expressed are, however, not necessarily those of the Board Of Directors, or indeed the Programme Committee. Design and Layout by Andrew Cassidy. Photographs courtesy of Maiden City Images, Event Images unless otherwise stated. Cover image

by Ramsey Cardy. Printing by City Print, Springtown Industrial Estate. Please support all of our sponsors. For queries about CityView contact andrew@derrycityfc.net

HONOURS:

League of Ireland Premier Division: 1988–89, 1996–97 FAI Cup: 1988–89, 1994–95, 2002, 2006, 2012, 2022 League of Ireland Cup: 1988–89, 1990–91, 1991–92, 1993–94, 1999–00, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2011, 2018 League of Ireland First Division: 1986–87, 2010 League of Ireland First Division Shield: 1985–86 Irish Football League: 1964–65 IFA Cup: 1948–49, 1953–54, 1963–64

Welcome back to the Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium! It’s been quote a while!

Tonight we’re welcoming Shelbourne to the Brandywell for the second last time this season!

We welcome back also Damien Duff, his staff and players, and the officials and supporters from Shelbourne who have travelled up this afternoon.

So it looks like both teams will have to do it the hard way! The two favourites for the FAI Cup this season face off in the quarter final, leading a lot of people to describe this match as ‘Winner takes all’! But of course, in cup football you can never write anyone off! UCD v Bohs, Athlone v Drogheda, and Wexford v Treaty are the other games that were played last night, and due to print schedules, we’re not sure who won those games, but even with giving all other teams their due respect, both clubs tonight will feel that it’s a great opportunity for a day out at the

Aviva.

Of course, the last time Derry met Shels in the cup was at the Aviva when Derry won 4-0 in 2022 to lift the trophy. The time before that was a 3-0 semi final replay win in 2012. Derry went on to lift the trohpy that year as well, so hopefully that’s a good omen for meeting Shelbourne in the Cup! Tonight may have a cup final feel, and so will the next meeting on the last day of the league season here at the Brandywell.

Enjoy tonight, and get right behind the lads!

TONIGHT’S MATCH OFFICIALS: Referee: ROBERT HARVEY

Assistant 1: Allen Lynch |Assistant 2: Chris Campbell Fourth Official: Rob Hennessy

TONIGHT’S MATCH SPONSOR:

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www.budgetenergy.co.uk 0800 012 177

PLEASE SUPPORT ALL OUR SPONSORS

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MESSAGE FROM THE MANAGER

I’d like to welcome Damien Duff and the players, staff and supporters of Shelbourne FC to the Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium this evening ahead of our FAI Cup quarter-final tie.

There has been a lot of interest in the game since the draw was made and it’s probably no surprise given how closely matched our teams have been over the course of the season.

There has been very little in any of our games this year and it’s difficult to imagine that it will be any different this time either.

It seems like an age since our last home matchwe’ve been in Cork, Waterford, Galway and had an International break since our last outing here and I know the players are looking forward to playing in front of our own supporters again.

As always, the live TV cameras add a little bit to the occasion too, although I’m sure there will

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be a cracking atmosphere anyway with both sets of fans eyeing the chance of getting to a cup final.

And while we’re coming into a really important time of the season for a lot of teams, we’ve also had a few reminders recently that there are also times when football has to take a back seat.

son ticket holders at Derry City and we want Fiona and the family to know that we share in their grief at this terrible time.

They are uppermost in our thoughts at the minute and I hope we can pay a fitting tribute to Kian’s memory tonight.

Enjoy the game

The teams will be led out at the start of tonight’s game by Emmett and Abaígael- the father and sister of young Kian Dawson-Kirk who died tragically in a car accident at the end of last month.

Kian and Emmett are sea-

Ruaidhrí Higgins, Manager

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DERRY CITY VS DONEGAL CELTIC 1990 Derry began their preparations for the 1990-91 season with another trip into Donegal on Sunday 29th July. The destination was the Isle of Doagh to take on Belfast based Intermediate League team Donegal Celtic to mark the opening of Trawbreaga Park, home of Rashenny FC of the Inishowen League.

As a curtain raiser to the main event a challenge match took place between the National Schools of Rashenny and Clonmany.

The opening ceremony was performed by Paul Mc Grath fresh from his exploits for the Irish team at Italia ‘90. Such was his popularity the start to the game was delayed as the stewards struggled to clear the pitch of spectators attempting to get his autograph.

The actual match turned out to be a disappointing affair and there was little for spectators to cheer about as strong winds made playing conditions difficult. City’s defence

By Francie McCauley was put under little pressure but their efforts at scoring were frustrated by some excellent saves from Saunders the Celtic keeper. Lining out for the Candystripes were new signings Joe Hanrahan and Paul Mc Gee while Stuart Gauld was back in action after a long layoff due to a broken leg sustained early the previous season.

Hanrahan’s pace was a constant problem for the team from Belfast and both he and Jonathan Speak went close to scoring but despite having the majority of the possession Derry were unable to contend with the weather conditions in either half.

Whatever excitement there was came in the closing minutes when Saunders tipped over a drive from City’s John Coady while Mc Cann spurned a couple of chances to snatch victory for the Belfast club but overall, the scoreless draw was considered a fair result.

After the game a celebration dinner and dance took place in the Strand Hotel in Ballyliffin.

Donegal Celtic were to make it to the Irish League Premier Division in 2006 but subsequently dropped back to Intermediate status.

Rashenny produced a fortypage A4 brochure style souvenir programme – with an equal amount of adverts

and reading material - priced at £2.

Along with a Chairman’s Report from Edward Shiels and an Editorial from Cecil Doherty (who also penned an article on ‘The story of the pitch’) there were a number of photos of previous Rashenny teams including one from their first season in 1976 and other photos of club members working on the development of the ground.

There was an interesting history of the Rashenny club which included reports from significant matches over the years. Histories of the Derry City and Donegal Celtic clubs had a page each with a short item on Paul Mc Grath.

Team line ups filled the middle pages and the final article featured the Junior section of the Rashenny club.

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SHELS SHOCKED! When the quarter final cup draw made a few weeks ago threw up our opponents tonight my thoughts immediately went back to our previous encounters with the Tolka Park side in 3 FAI Finals. The games were actually played at different venues with the first taking place on 7th May 1995 at the old Lansdowne Road stadium in front a crowd of 15000. The Candystripes qualified with 2 home wins against Finn Harps and Home Farm before winning away 1-0 at Dundalk in the Quarter Final. The Semi-Final against Bohemians took 3 games with the first 2 scoreless before City came out on top 3-2 at home.

On the day Derry came out of the starting blocks quickly and in 8 minutes Harry McCourt crossed for Peter Hutton to steer the ball home.

Following a great save by Dermot O’Neill from a header

by Ray Duffy after 72 minutes play City got the ball up the field for Paul Carlyle to find Liam Coyle in the box only to see him sent flying to win a penalty. Two weeks earlier in Athlone Stuart Gauld missed a vital penalty but this time he made no mistake sending Alan Gough the wrong way. However there was more drama to follow with only 10 minutes left on the clock Carlyle was adjudged to have handled the ball and the resultant spot kick was whipped into the net by Greg Costello.

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By Sean McGillan

However in a tense finish the Candystripes held out to lift the Cup for the second time - a consolation after missing out on the League Title. Fast forward to 1997 when the 2 teams made it to the Final again but this time it was not a happy ending. In front of a smaller attendance of around 10000 at Dalymount Park the Dubliners came out on top.

The day was marred by the sad news of the sudden death of Conor O’ Dowd, brother of Derry’s keeper Tony. Declan Devine stepped into the breach for what was reported to the biggest game in his career. The favourites were the better side in the first half with Gary Beckett and Paul Curran going close. However the second half belonged to Shelbourne and with 10 minutes left on the clock Pascal Vaudequin’s cross was met with a header from Dave Campbell which deflected off Gavin Dykes past Devine. Worse was to follow when Curran let

Stephen Geoghegan get past him to make it 2-0 for the Tolka Park Reds. 25 years passed before the teams renewed rivalry in their 3rd meeting with the venue being the Aviva Stadium before a crowd of just over 32000. Derry got off to the great start in the 18th minute when a diagonal cross from Patrick McEleney found Graydon who delivered a perfect pass to McGonigle who planted the ball in the far corner of the net. 10 minutes before half time it was 2-0 when McJannet found Duffy whose cross into the box was cleared

by Griffin only for McJannet to power the ball home. In the 60th minute McJannet got his second when his effort from a corner by Duffy got over the line. Then history was made when the Candystripes got their 4th courtesy of McEneff’s conversion of a penalty after he was brought down by defender Byrne. The result was the biggest ever winning margin in a FAI Cup final.

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OFF

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NEWS FROM AROUND THE LEAGUE

2024 LEAGUE TABLE: Pld Pts Shelbourne

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53

DERRY CITY

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49

Sligo Rovers

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43

Galway United

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32

Waterford

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40

Shamrock Rvrs

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39

St. Pat’s Athletic

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38

Bohemians

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33

Drogheda Utd

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25

Dundalk

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This Round’s Fixtures:

Next League Fixtures:

FAI CUP QUARTER FINALS FRIDAY 13th SEPTEMBER UCD v Bohemians Athlone Town v Drogheda Utd Wexford v Treaty United SATURDAY 11th SEPTEMBER DERRY CITY v Shelbourne

FAI CUP QUARTER FINALS FRIDAY 13th SEPTEMBER Shamrock Rvrs v Sligo Rvrs Waterford v Dundalk

NEXT HOME GAME:

MONDAY 16th SEPTEMBER Galway Utd v Shamrock Rvrs

Derry City vs Shamrock Rovers Friday 20th September, 7.45pm

MCDERMOTT SIGNS FOR PORTSMOUTH City’s Conal McDermott signs Scholarship deal at Portsmouth EFL Championship side Portsmouth FC have this week snapped up highly-rated Derry City goalkeeper Conal McDermott on a two- year scholarship contract.

Conal, who only turned 17 recently, had several suitors among top flight UK clubs this summer.

“He has progressed through the Academy ranks at Derry City, and more recently developed under the guidance of Derry’s Head Of Goalkeeping Michael Dougherty and the first team goalkeepers.

“Conal has shown an exception-

al rate of development since the start of the year” said his Head Coach.

“Like all of our Academy goalkeepers we want to create a pathway for them, both for our own club and beyond, and hopefully Conal is the first of many to benefit from it”.

“We have an outstanding group of goalkeepers paired with an excellent group of goalkeeping coaches and support staff.”

“From Brian Maher down we are trying to show the depth of talent here, so it’s an exciting time to be a goalkeeper at Derry City and this move shows it’s a great place for young goalkeepers to come and develop.

“We wish Conal every success with his move.”

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LAST TWO GAMES...

23/08/24: WATERFORD 0 - 1 DERRY CITY: Ben Doherty’s second half goal was enough to earn all three points for Derry City to keep the title hopes alive, leaving City temporarily top of the table

30/08/24: GALWAY UNITED 1 - 0 DERRY CITY: There was a slip-up along the way against a difficult Galway side the week after Waterford as Derry came away with nothing from a trip to Eamon Deacy Park. Patrick Hickey got the goal for the Tribesmen.

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A small sneak preview of one answer each from just some of the club legends who are involved in the new A-Zs book! There’sover 220 pages of laughs and memories from over 30 club legends!

EDDIE MCCALLION

I say here! I think I might have been mentioned once or twice for that one was I by the other lads?! I’ll go for Paul Hegarty maybe. Actually, Kevin Brady!

I’ll say Kevin Brady!

KEVIN DEERY

was a great moment for myself, but also for the club to win against a very good Pats team.

I remember in 2006 as well against St Pats it was a great game, but I was played out of position on the right wing to do a job, so that one was a great game and a great result as well, but wasn’t as enjoyable for me, but listen, they’re all brilliant memories, all four finals. I thought we were unlucky in the one I lost though when Bohs beat us on penalties in the RDS, but three out of four isn’t bad!

EAMON ZAYED

A IS FOR ANNOYING...

Which of your former team mates was the worst to sit beside on the bus for long away journeys?

That’s a tough one! There’s been that many journeys! I’d say Hargy said me did he?

He did, yeah!

Aye, I thought he would, cause he was the first person I thought of as well!! Hargy wouldn’t leave you alone!

PAUL DOOLIN

B IS FOR BEHAVIOUR...

Which team mate was always the most likely to get booked?

Oh, I’ll have to be careful what

C IS FOR CUP...

You played in 4 FAI Cup Finals.

Is there one that stands out over the others?

Yeah, I played in 4. I won three and lost one. But I’d say the most recent one 2012. For me, it was a big achievement because I had major surgery in my knee and I only managed to get myself back fit about three or four weeks prior to the final, and I was able to get through the game and help the team win the Cup. So it

D IS FOR DERRY CITY...

Do you still keep an eye on the Derry City results?

Yeah, all the time! Ah listen, you might jump on these interviews and everybody says it to be nice, but truly ever since I left, I left a fan. I know for a fact that my best year in League of Ireland was that year with Derry. Not just on the pitch, even off the pitch. I just loved it. I had a lot of fun. I always

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remember the third game away to UCD, the Derry City fans started to call me Metro Man! They were singing ‘Metro, Metro Man! Eamon wants be, a Metro Man’!! And then after the game Stephen Kenny saying ‘What’s all that about?’, and it was obviously because I was in the the Metro all the time with the lads after a game!! You know, as you would after a game! Especially if we won! So I had a lot of fun.

I loved it up there, so I always keep in touch with the results.

And obviously now that Ruaidhri Higgins, an ex-teammate, is the manager as well. So, yeah, I left a fan for sure!

PETER HUTTON

supporters to Gretna and we weren’t even given a chance in the game by the press, but that night was just a really special night. Even the goals that were scored, they were worldies! Every single one of them were really good goals. It was just one of those nights where everything just lined up. Even the fans as well. The staff, the stewards, and the people at the ground all remarked after the game that how they’d had Celtic and Rangers come there there and didn’t bring as big of a crowd, but even just the behaviour of the fans as well, they were all in good spirits, and they really they enjoyed themselves and to be part of things on the pitch on a really special night was amazing. I think that one just set the tone for the rest of the European adventure as such.

of how your move to England with Nottingham Forrest came about?

Yeah, I went for a trial just and it went form there. Alan Hill spoke to me after the FAI Cup final in Dublin in the hotel and said he was impressed and he spoke to Derry City and I went for a two week trial and Alex McLeish liked me and then they signed me after that.

DERMOT O’NEILL

Did you swap a shirt in Paris?

I didn’t, no. I still have the jersey from that European run.

STEPHEN MCLAUGHLIN

G IS FOR GOALKEEPER...

Where did you start your youth career? Did you always play as a goalkeeper?

E IS FOR EUROPE...

What are your memories of the European run that ended in the Parc De Princes?

Just unbelievable! Special memories. But for all the Paris and the Gothenburgs and, you know, obviously those big clubs as such, to me and a lot of the players, it’s the Gretna one!

The fact that we took so many

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F IS FOR FORREST...

Do you remember the story

No, up to Under 15s I actually played as a centre forward! But my late father, he played in goal for Shelbourne and for Dublin.

And then of course, my brother Alan played in goal as well, but both of us played outfield and then around the same age we both became goalkeepers. I think he went in to goal earlier actually, I’m not sure, but I went in at Under 15.

PRE-ORDER THE NEW DERRY CITY BOOK NOW!!

For any fans of the A-Z feature that we do every week, there’s going to be a Special Edition one-off Derry City book coming out this October that’s not to be missed!!

For 40 years, Derry City have produced our match day programme, CityView for every competitive home game. 10 years ago in 2015 under the guidance of a new editor for the first time, the popular A-Z player interview was introduced.

10 years later, and having done over 200 A-Z interviews with the current first team players, we’ve gone back to hear what some of the club legends from the 30 years previous to 2015 would answer to the now famous player interview, and we’ve made it into a special edition book to be released in October this year!

It’ll be over 220 pages long, and features special edition extended length interviews with club legends including Liam Coyle, Felix Healy, Owen Da Gama, Dermot O’Neill, Denis Tueart, Kevin Deery, Sean Hargan, Tony O’Doherty, Paul Doolin, Eamon Zayed, Peter Hutton,

David Forde, Gavin Dykes, Gary Beckett and loads, loads more...

We hear amazing stories about how they signed for the club, who the best players they’ve played with are and some hilarious insights into their teammates and their time at the club, their career, and what they’re up to now.

legends, or even younger fans that want to learn more about the club legends of the past Contact andrew@derrycityfc. net for more information on what players are left, or scan the QR code below to pre-order the book with your name in as a player sponsor now!

AND YOU CAN PRE-ORDER NOW!!

The book is available for pre-order now priced at £10 +P&P to get the book delivered to you on launch day.

It’s the perfect Christmas present for any Derry City fans who remember all those club

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TONIGHT’S SQUADS DERRY CITY F.C. 1 - BRIAN MAHER 2 - RONAN BOYCE 3 - CIARÁN COLL 6 - MARK CONNOLLY 7 - MICHAEL DUFFY 8 - WILL PATCHING 9 - PATRICK HOBAN 10 - PATRICK MCELENEY 11 - COLM WHELAN 12 - PAUL MCMULLAN 14 - BEN DOHERTY 15 - SADOU DIALLO 16 - SHANE MCELENEY 19 - JACOB DAVENPORT 20 - ANDRE WISDOM 21 - DANNY MULLEN 23 - CAMERON DUMMIGAN 25 - DUNCAN IDEHEN 26 - TADHG RYAN 27 - DANIEL KELLY 28 - ADAM O’REILLY 29 - SEAN ROBERTSON 33 - AARON HEANEY 34 - CALLUM DOHERTY 35 - GLENN MCCOURT 39 - CONOR BARR 40 - CALUM MCCAY 41 - LUKE O’DONNELL

Manager: RUAIDHRÍ HIGGINS

SHELBOURNE F.C. 1 - CONOR KEARNS 2 - SEAN GANNON 3 - TYREKE WILSON 4 - KAMERON LEDWIDGE 5 - SHANE GRIFFIN 6 - JONATHAN LUNNEY 7 - HARRY WOOD 8 - MARK COYLE 9 - SEÁN BOYD 10 - JOHN MARTIN 11 - MATTY SMITH 14 - ALI COOTE 15 - SAM BONE 16 - JOHN O’SULLIVAN 19 - LORCAN HEALY 22 - DEAN WILLIAMS 27 - EVAN CAFFREY 29 - PADDY BARRETT 33 - DERINSOLA ADEWALE 41 - LUCA CAILLOCE 42 - CIAN DOYLE 44 - DANIEL RING 45 - TAYLOR MCCARTHY 48 - AIDEN O’BRIEN 50 - ALI TOPCU 67 - LIAM BURT 77 - RAYHAAN TULLOCH

Manager: DAMIEN DUFF

Tonight’s Match Sponsors:

www.mccambridgeduffy.co.uk | 028 7137 6888

www.budgetenergy.co.uk | 0800 012 177

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FIRST FOR SPORT IN THE NORTH-WEST bbc.co.uk/radiofoyle 22

23 ANSWERS: SHIRT NUMBER MATHS: Patrick McEleney (10) + Shane McEleney (16) - Mark Connolly (6) = Andre Wisdom (20) SPOT THE DIFFERENCE: 1) Will Patching’s name has disappeared from his shirt; 2) Ciaran Coll’s number has disappeared; 3) Derry player’s arm has disappeared on the right; 4) Referee’s card has disappeared; 5) Post has appeared on theright of the goals

Can you spot the FIVE differences between the two photos?

SPOT THE DIFFERENCE

Can you do the maths with the shirt numbers to find out the name of the hidden Derry City player?

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SHIRT NUMBER MATHS CHALLENGE Send us in your photos and drawings to citycubs@derrycityfc.net and we’ll get them printed on the City Cubs page in the programme!!

CITY CUBS CORNER

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Home & Away Live Match Commentary From our Match Night Live team on 105.3fm and online at www.drive105.co.uk

Drive105mnl 28

FANZONE: MEET THE FANS Tonight we take a break from tradition here in the Fanzone page.

A few weeks ago Derry City lost one of its hardest working and longest serving volunteers, when Charlie Large, very sadly, passed away. Charlie volunteered with the club in many capacities over the years, getting involved in various fundraising groups, the match day programme committee when Derry first entered the League of Ireland, and latterly he was the man responsible for putting out the official team sheets on match days. Charlie was an immense influence, always in the background both with Derry City and also within the Athletics community in the City. If you’ve ever run the Derry Marathon, Half Marathon or any number of other Runs within the City chances are that Charlie Large was the man behind the administration.

So, as stated at the beginning of this article, we are breaking from tradition in that we are reprinting the very first Fanzone entrant ever printed in the Cityview Programme, submitted by none other than Charlie himself.

He told me at the time that it was one of the most difficult things he’d had to do in that trying to decide who to leave out was the hardest part of it!

May Charlie’s gentle soul rest easy.

“Derry City supporters never die, they just get better seats”!

Name: Charlie Large How long have you been supporting Derry City?

I’ve been going to the Brandywell to support Derry City since 1953

while!

Where do you sit in the Brandywell?

In the Mark Farren Stand Best Player you’ve seen playing for the Candystripes?

Owen Da Gama Why? His flair and skill brought a new dimension to Derry football!

Best opposition player you’ve seen play?

Terry Harkin Why? Terry was just sheer class as a club and international player and, just as importantly, he is an absolute gentleman.

What’s the best ground, apart from the Brandywell, that you’ve seen Derry play in?

The Stadium of Light, Benfica What goal sticks out in your mind?

Sean Hargans’ header in the away match at Gothenburg Why? It made the whole trip worth-

Name your best Derry City team (you can pick from any era) One to Eleven with Three subs GK Fred Stallard RB Frankie Campbel LB Sean Hargan RM Paul Doolin CH Willie Curran LM Stuart Gauld AM Owen Da Gama AM Liam Coyle RW Jimmy Delaney LW Jimmy Kelly CF Noel Larkin SUB Felix Healy SUB Mick Neville SUB Eunan Blake Best manager you’ve seen at Derry City?

Jim McLaughlin Favourite half time snack?

Brian Dunleavy`s half time Coffee !!!!

What one thing would you introduce that you feel would improve the match day experience?

Introduce the players one by one as they emerge from the tunnel

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SOME OF THE MOST MEMORABLE FAI CUP QUARTER FINALS

By Pól O’Hare

It’s hard to beat a cup quarterfinal on a Saturday evening in front of a packed Brandywell, so I’ve had a look down memory lane at some big last eight clashes in recent times. They don’t come much bigger than this, so have a read through these to get you in that FAI Cup spirit.

3 - Derry City 1 - Shamrock Rovers (2022) In City’s most recent FAI Cup quarter-final bout, they welcomed fellow title rivals Shamrock Rovers to the Brandywell in what was one of the Candystripes’ finest performances of the 2022 season. Drawing parallels with today’s game, the away side topped the table and were vying with Ruaidhrí Higgins’ men for silverware. With the Brandywell sold out, Jamie McGonigle opened the scoring when he headed Mark Connolly’s cross past Leon Pohls. Soon after a Cameron Dummigan wonderstrike came crashing off the crossbar, Lee Grace was shown his marching orders having fouled Patrick McEleney in the box. The following penalty was missed by Will Patching and, twenty minutes into the second half, the away side found themselves level through Rory Gaffney. Extra-time beckoned under the lights. Just five minutes into the additional half hour and City led for the second time – Danny Lafferty ris-

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ing highest in the box to power a header into the roof of the goal. The win was wrapped up in the second period of extratime when Brandon Kavanagh skipped down the wing before slotting in at the near post. His first goal for City and it sank his former club, raising the roof in the Brandywell. The Candystripes went on to defeat First Division opposition Treaty United 2-1 in the semis before beating Shelbourne 4-0 in the final, a record breaking cup final win and City’s first in a decade.

5 - Derry City 0 - Drogheda United (Replay) 2014 After an entertaining 2-2 draw in Drogheda in the quarterfinal in 2014, City hit their Louth opposition for five in the replay. Michael Duffy and Patrick McEleney featured in both matches, whilst Shane McEleney made the bench.

The goals in the first game

came courtesy of the late Ryan McBride and Philip Lowry as Drogheda saw three men sent off across the ninety. City welcomed a weakened United to the Brandywell four days later.

A Rory Patterson hat-trick, alongside a Patrick McEleney wonder-strike from outside the box and a cool finish from Michael Duffy swept Drogheda to the side. It’ll be ten years on Monday since that win, but that was some Derry side. Declan Devine’s men made their way to the final in 2014, beating Shamrock Rovers 2-0 in a replay after drawing 1-1 in Tallaght in the semis. St. Pat’s claimed revenge in the final, winning 2-0 in the Aviva two years after losing 3-2 to the Candystripes in the 2012 edition.

7 - Derry City 1 - Mervue United 2012 Speaking of 2012, that’s where we’re going next. After beat-

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MEMORABLE FAI CUP QUARTER FINALS Continued... ing Finn Harps 4-0 in the first round, and UCD 2-0 in the second, City were drawn against First Division Mervue United in the quarters. Derry flew out of the traps, going into half-time 3-0 up after goals from David McDaid, Mark Farren and Patrick McEleney.

City’s legendary number 18 completed his hattrick fifteen minutes into the second half, scoring twice in as many minutes to secure the win for the men in red and white after David McDaid bagged his second on the 56th minute. Farren’s second and third goals equalled then surpassed Liam Coyle’s record goal tally for the Candystripes, before current Cliftonville striker Ryan Curran added a seventh on the 77th minute. Who scored the goal for Meruve you may ask though? None other than a 21 year old Patrick Hoban, twelve years ago to the day. It was Shelbourne who met City in the semi-finals, with the game finishing 1-1 in the Brandywell.

A Stephen McLaughlin double, and a third from David McDaid

in the replay saw City reach the Aviva. It was a thriller of a final, a rollercoaster game which saw both Derry and St. Pat’s take the lead throughout the 120 minutes. A Rory Patterson brace, which followed a Stewart Greacen equaliser, saw City clinch the cup for the first time in six years.

2 - Derry City 0 - UCD 2006 Derry City again beat Shelbourne on their way to lifting the FAI Cup in 2006, when they triumphed 1-0 in Tolka Park

after beating Blarney United 3-1 in the second round. UCD travelled to the Brandywell in the quarter-finals, hoping to cause an upset against a side who had faced Paris Saint-Germain in the UEFA Cup just days earlier. The Candystripes netted twice in two minutes, on the 65th and 67th, to wrap up the win. Mark Farren first converted a penalty after Killian Brennan was fouled by Derek Doyle in the box. Just a minute later and Kevin McHugh’s shot went through goalkeeper Darren Quigley to double City’s advantage. Sligo Rovers lay in wait in the semi-finals and brought the tie to a replay after a 0-0 draw in the Showgrounds. A five-star showing from Derry in the Brandywell saw them despatch Rovers 5-0 on Halloween night. In a final dubbed ‘the greatest FAI Cup final in history’, City came from behind three times to beat St Pat’s 4-3 in the last final held in Lansdowne Road as the Candystripes lifted the FAI Cup for the fourth time.

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LANDMARKS: 50 GAMES FOR CONNOLLY & MCMULLAN In recent games, we have seen a few milestones for both the club and some players.

Firstly, in the away game against Shelbourne, Mark Connolly made his 50th league appearance for the club, becoming the 103rd player to make 50 league appearances for the club in League of Ireland football.

The first player to play 50 league games for the club was Kevin Mahon in December 1987, as we beat Galway United 3-0 at Terryland Park with goals from Jonathon Speak (2) and Owen Da Gama.

Owen DaGama in a home game against Shelbourne in March 1988, was the second player to reach 50 league games, followed by Stuart Gauld against Athlone Town at St Mel’s Park in Oct 1988.

Earlier this season, Cameron Dummigan, Sadou Diallo and Adam O’Reilly became the most recent players to reach this milestone for the club.

Meanwhile, in the home game against Dundalk, Paul McMullan played his 50th game for the club, becoming the 127th player to reach this milestone.

The first player to represent the club on 50 occasions was Kevin Mahon in Feb 1987, on the day when we were presented with the first division trophy. For the record, City, whose side included

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By Brian Dunleavy

former Arsenal and England midfielder Alan Sunderland, won 5-1, with a hat trick from Owen Da Gama and a penalty from Alex Krstic, the other was an own goal.

A month later Noel King became the second player to reach a half century of games for the club, when we lost 1-2 away to Bohemians in the FAI cup, with both King and Kevin Mahon being sent off, while Owen Da Gama, who scored our goal that day became the third player to play 50 games for City, when he netted a hat trick in a 5-0 home win over Limerick City in Nov 1987.

It was Jim McLaughlin’s first game in charge of the side, with Felix Healy scoring our 50th league goal at Brandywell and John Cunningham with his first Derry City strike, being our other scorers on the day.

Earlier this season, Mark Con-

nolly and Adam O’Reilly were the most recent players to make their 50th Derry City appearance.

It was also Paul’s 50th Consecutive Appearance, not having missed a game since making his debut for the club last season. It is only the 21st time a player has reached 50 consecutive appearances for the club and just the fifth time in over 18 years.

The first player to play 50 games in succession was Paul Curran against Finn Harps at Brandywell, in the league cup in August 1990, followed four days later by Tim Dalton at home to Fanad United in the league cup, while Jonathon Speak was third in Oct 1990 at home to Dundalk in the league.

The most recent player to reach 50 consecutive appearances was Brian Maher in May 2023.

LIVE FOR IT

For all teamwear enquiries contact: John Murphy e: johnmurphy@oneills.com m: 07870 158211

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This week... Derry City fan... JOHN DOHERTY 1. Derry’s last home match was a 1-1 draw with Dundalk over a month ago, but who scored Derry’s goal that night?

4.

2. Who were the last opponents that Derry City faced in the Quarter Finals of the FAI Cup? 3. Which legendary international footballer started his career in his home country with Cannes?

4. Name the former Arsenal player pictured on the right?

5. Ederson kept the most clean sheets last season for Manchester City with 10, but which keeper finished second with 9 clean sheets?

6. Which Nation won the Gold medal at the 2024 Olympics in Paris recently?

7. Which club is Shelbourne midfielder Liam Burt on loan from?

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8. Which was the only club outside of the UK & Ireland that Damien Duff played for?

LUKE’S ANSWERS: 1) I can’t remember what happened last Tuesday even!! Was it Patching?; 2) That would have been... Shamrock Rovers; 3) No idea! Thierry Henry?; 4) I’ve no idea who that is!; 5) Allison?; 6) Spain; 7) Bohs?; 8) No idea!

JOHN’S SCORE: 2 out of 8! Can you beat it?

ANSWERS: 1) Danny Mullan; 2) Shamrock Rovers in 2022; 3) Zinedine Zidane; 4) Kim Källström; 5) Andre Onana; 6) Spain; 7) Shamrock Rovers; 8) Melbourne City

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BE THE CHALLENGER! CONTACT ANDREW@DERRYCITYFC.NET

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