CityView Vol-40 No-19 - Derry City vs Bohemians - Friday 11th October

DERRY CITY F.C. v BOHEMIAN F.C. LEAGUE OF IRELAND MEN’S PREMIER DIVISION FRIDAY 11th OCTOBER 2024 | 7.45pm Vol. 40 - No. 19

1

2

Welcome to...

BOHEMIAN 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 where tonight we’re welcoming Bohemians back for the last time this season.

We also welcome back Alan Reynolds, his staff and players, and the officials and supporters from Bohs who have travelled up this evening.

Hot on the heels of last week’s 2-0 Derry City win in the FAI Cup Semi-Final in Dalymount Park, the two sides meet again in the league. We’re fed up hearing the phrase ‘must win’ at this stage, but what people do when they see two games in hand is to add on those 6 points and see where we’d end up. Almost as if they’re a given.

We know in reality it’s definitely not the case! We have the first of out games in hand tonight and the second on Monday. After that we’ll know the state of play in terms of the league title.

Only 6 points will take us to the

top of the table. Shelbourne and Shamrock Rovers both have to play Waterford and our Cup Final opponents Drogheda before we face off with Shelbourne on the last day of the season. But all that could be irrelevant if we attempt to look past Bohemians tonight and Sligo on Monday. Make no mistake, both fixtures will be very tough! We need to take them one at a time to have any hope of making it to the last day of the season with any hope remaining against Shelbourne

TONIGHT’S MATCH OFFICIALS: Referee:

Assistant 1: Richard Storey |Assistant 2: Allen Lynch Fourth Official: Declan Toland

TONIGHT’S MATCH SPONSOR:

Maydown Industrial Estate, Derry BT47 6TY

info@hivoltcapacitors.com PLEASE SUPPORT ALL OUR SPONSORS

3

MESSAGE FROM THE MANAGER

It’s a quick turnaround tonight as we welcome Alan Reynolds, Stephen O’Donnell and Bohemians FC players and supporters to the Brandywell for this evening’s game.

It’s fair to say that this contest might have a slightly different feel to it compared to the straight knockout of the cup last weekend, however there is every bit as much at stake for both teams tonight.

I thought we played really well at Dalymount in the semi-final and a couple of top quality finishes from Michael Duffy proved enough to see us through to the final.

It’s gone now though and our focus this week has changed completely back to the league run-in.

Recent results around the league have only confirmed what I’ve been saying all along- that Shamrock Rovers are a long way frrom being out of it.

Shelbourne will also obviously have a big say in the outcome of the title race and I thought their match

4

against St Pats recently was a terrific advert for the League of Ireland.

The standard in the league has been criticised in some quarters this season but the division has been so competitive and we shouldn’t confuse those two things.

There will still be twists and turns right to the end of the season, there’s no doubt about it.

Obviously we can’t control what happens around us- all we can do is try to keep winning, because if we can do that, it increases the pressure on the teams around us.

What also helps immensely however is the noise and

atmosphere that our supporters can create and I want to acknowledge and appreciate the brilliant travelling support last Friday.

I can assure you that your backing means everything to the players and myself and I hope we can count on you as we try to bring more success to our club.

Thank you, and enjoy the game.

Ruaidhrí Higgins, Manager

5

6

DERRY CITY VS MANCHESTER CITY 1992 Manchester City were in fourth spot in what was to be the final season of the English First Division (they finished the season in fifth place) when they came to the Brandywell for a friendly match on Thursday 23rd January 1992. Out of interest Derry were top of the Premier Division a point in front of Shelbourne. The game was possible because the team from Maine Road had a blank weekend coming up as Middlesborough had knocked them out of the FA Cup. On the Tuesday night they had defeated Portadown one nil.

Admission prices were £6 Stand (reduced from £8 after representations from the Derry City Supporters’ Association) and £4/£2 Ground. 7,000 spectators turned up for what turned out to be an easy victory for the visitors.

Derry had the wind advantage in the opening half but

By Francie McCauley failed to threaten in the final third on what was a bitterly cold night and it would take until the second half before they were able to put a series of fluent moves together.

The visitors took a twenty first minute lead with a sweeping move involving Curle, Megson and White which ended with Clarke’s shot from White’s whipped cross being parried by Dermot O’Neill but Clarke found the net at the second attempt.

Derry came more into things after the break. A Gregory Kearney left wing cross was skied over the bar

by Jonathan Speak but O’Neill then had to make a spectacular save at his near post to deny Sheron. The home side’s best chance came fifteen minutes from time when a closerange Donal O’Brien shot was blocked by Dibble before being scrambled clear

by Curle.

Manchester City’s player manager Peter Reid was involved in their second goal two minutes from time. He laid the ball off to Clarke whose right-wing cross was flashed into the net from close range by an unmarked White.

The twenty-four-page (six of adverts) match programme cost 70p. It opened up with a Manager’s Message from Roy Coyle and a Chairman’s

Welcome from Jack Mc Cauley. There were four pages of picture profiles of Manchester City players including one of Niall Quinn but he was suspended and didn’t play. Added to this was another page of written profiles of the rest of their squad.

BBC Radio Foyle’s Ritchie Kelly penned a couple of pages in which Jobby Crossan explained why leaving the Manchester Blues in 1967 was his “only regret”. There was a piece on visiting centre half Keith Curle who was Britain’s costliest defender at £2.5 million.

The “Citys” Connection was an item about Denis Tueart’s nine games with the Candystripes.

The programme finished with the usual Bits & Pieces and a Quiz with line ups on the back page.

7

BIG WEEKEND AHEAD!

By George McCauley

If ever a photograph summed up what appearing in an FAI Cup final means to the people of this city, the image of Gareth McGlynn joining in the on-field celebrations after Michael Duffy’s second goal at Dalymount last weekend is surely it!

This is a man who knows what it’s like to play in three FAI cup finals with his hometown club and you could see the unbridled joy as Duffy’s brace secured the Candystripes’ twelfth blue riband appearance since joining the league in the 1985/86 season.

No other club has been in more cup finals in that time, and that is a record of which we can all be proud.

Now that we know both final-

ists however, the cup takes a back seat as Ruaidhri and the players try to put an end to a less impressive statistic that goes back a whopping 27 years.

As the manager said in his press conference last week ‘we’re as close as we’ve ever been this year’ and what a run-in it promises to be.

Three of our remaining five games are at home, starting with Bohs (again) tonight and Sligo on Monday.

Nothing comes easy as we’ve seen so many times throughout the league this season, and especially now when the chips are down, it is absolutely vital that the Brandywell is rocking for these final games.

The scenes between the play-

8

ers, staff and supporters last Friday night was proof that there’s a real will from everyone to finish with a bang.

There’s no doubt whatsoever that the players respond to the Brandywell roar and that’s the backing we need to give them now.

Two wins over the next few days will take City a couple clear ar the top with just three matches to go, and it’s fair to say all bets would be off from there.

This place has seen a lot of things down through the years so here’s hoping that the next couple of weeks will give us another really special chapter in the club’s history.

It certainly wouldn’t be out of turn!

9

OFFICIAL SPONSOR OF THE MEN’S AND WOMEN’S LEAGUES

10

NEWS FROM AROUND THE LEAGUE

2024 LEAGUE TABLE: Pld Pts Shelbourne

33

54

Shamrock Rvrs

33

52

DERRY CITY

31

50

Galway United

33

50

St. Pat’s Athletic

32

47

Sligo Rovers

32

47

Waterford

32

43

Bohemians

31

36

Drogheda Utd

32

32

Dundalk

33

25

Last Round’s Results:

This Round’s Fixtures:

FRIDAY 13th SEPTEMBER Galway United 1-1 Dundalk

FRIDAY 11th OCTOBER DERRY CITY v Bohemian Waterford v Drogheda United

SUNDAY 6th OCTOBER Shamrock Rvrs 2-0 Shelbourne

NEXT HOME GAME:

SATURDAY 12th OCTOBER DERRY CITY v Sligo Rovers Bohemian v St Pat’s Athletic

Derry City vs Sligo Rovers Monday 14th Octobber, 7.15pm

DERRY CITY IN CAIRDEAS CUP ACTION Derry City’s Downs Syndrome squad took part in their first ever tournament on Sunday last. The Cairdeas Cup was hosted by the LOI and FAI at the Sport Ireland National Indoor Arena at Abbotstown, the team of 8 players faced group matches against Dundalk, Cork City and Sligo Rovers. Despite losing their opening match against Dundalk, the Candystripes pushed on to beat Cork and Sligo to take them through to the semi-final where they faced North-West rivals Finn Harps. In a fiercely contested match, the Candystripes more than held their own against an experi-

enced Harps side that included 3 Republic of Ireland Futsal internationals. The Balleybofey outfit eventually ran out 4-2 winners and went on to lift the

trophy for the second time running. A brilliant experience for the Derry City lads who continue with their preparations for the next tournament in 2025.

11

FAI CUP SEMI FINAL ACTION...

BOHEMIANS 0 - 2 DERRY CITY: Derry City progressed to the final of the FAI Cup by knocking out Bohemians last Friday night. Two goals from Michael Duffy made the difference to take the Candystripes to the Aviva Stadium

BOHEMIANS 0 - 2 DERRY CITY: The clean sheet meant that Derry have progressed to the final without conceding a single FAI Cup goal this season, seeing off St Pats, Cork City, Shelbourne and Bohemians on the way.

12

13

14

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!

STEWART GREACEN

Outside of football, what keeps you occupied now in your spare time?

Well we had our first child there, me and my wife, so that’s what keeps me busy now! But before that I was doing my accountancy exams for

Which opposition did you always look forward to playing the most in your career?

AARON BARRY

P IS FOR PASSTIME...

Q IS FOR QUIZ...

Which former team mate would you definitely not want in your team if you were doing a quiz?

I’m going to say Mickey Duffy just because I know he’s back there right now! I remember from before he was not much of a quizzer! A fantastic footballer!

But I don’t think he’s going to help you too much on a quiz team!

O IS FOR OPPOSITION...

I enjoyed the games against Bohemians. Always enjoyed going down to Dalymount.

Probably because I had a good record there is the main reason. I enjoyed going to some of the bigger Dublin clubs, the Shamrock Rovers and that as well, but I enjoyed Bohemians with Pat Fenlon and that. They were always good competitive games.

STEPHEN DOOLEY

three and a half years, so I’d been working full time in an accountancy firm and doing exams at the same time! For two of the years I was even playing for Bray as well! It was kind of like, I think I left Bohemians and then I wanted to start work, so I went into the job. But I was offered the Bray thing and I didn’t even know if it would work type of thing, but it did. I made it work for a couple of years, but to be honest, that was a very busy time!

RUSSELL PAYNE

R IS FOR ROVERS...

How did come about that you came back to play in Ireland with Shamrock Rovers?

You know, I wanted to keep playing, but I knew I was nearing the end of my career. So Stephen Grant was with Rovers at the time. He’s a good friend of mine, like I told you about earlier, and Liam Buckley was the manager at Rovers back then, and Stephen was in contact to say that Liam

15

tion in a split second and saved it. That one for some reason always sticks in my head. Don’t ask me why. Whether it was instinct, or whatever I know, but it just sticks in my head.

was interested in me. He’s been telling him that I was available, and that’s really how it worked out. But then, they were in administration back then, so they couldn’t sign me. So I had to wait for a little while and Roddy Collins took over, so I wasn’t sure if the new manager wanted me, but they ended up getting the money right at the club and Roddy got in touch and he signed me.

DERMOT O’NEILL

S IS FOR SAVE...

Is there a save that stands out for you as the best save you’ve ever made?

Yeah, we played Finn harps at Dalymount, I was playing for Bohemians at the time, and Noel King, who yous all will now, Noel was playing for us, he was with Bohemians at the time, but he was in the box defending a corner, and the corner was put in and he was kind of faced in towards my goal and it deflected off his knee and flew into the top corner and I changed posi-

16

pick just one, somebody where you sit back and awe of, watching somebody who defied gravity almost, and all the odds of martial science it would be Liam Coyle. Because Liam shouldn’t have been playing when he was. And what he was able to do with the ball at his feet when he shouldn’t have been able to do it just defies the laws of science! He was unbelievable as a person as well. He’s another funny character I put in there with Hargy and the others!

DARREN KELLY

T IS FOR TEAM MATES...

Who is the best player you’ve ever played with?

I have a few I’m thinking of. It’s sort of how you break it down, if you know what I mean. Because you look at ability, skill-wise, and again I’m always biased towards Derry City! We had some fantastic players I played with at other clubs like Carlisle, you look at the likes of Leon Osman who went on to play Premier League and he was unbelievable. But at Derry, I look from a centre back point of view, you look at the relationship I had with Peter Hutton as a centre back partnership. He, as a captain and as a leader, was brilliant. You look at Liam Coyle. You look at Paddy McCourt. So, yeah, it would be someone along them lines. To

KILLIAN BRENNAN

U IS FOR UNPARALLELED...

Who is the best player you’ve ever played against?

I think it has to be Paddy McCourt. We talked about European players, and I played against a couple of decent players in Europe and in my younger days and played against Iniesta and Torres when we played against Spain and stuff, but they were only young lads as well at that stage, so I’d say Paddy.

ORDER THE NEW DERRY CITY BOOK NOW!!

For any fans of the A-Z feature that we do every week, there’s a new Special Edition one-off Derry City book out 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.

GET YOUR COPY NOW!!

- Claude’s Café, Shipquay Street, Derry - Bookmark, Letterkenny Shopping Centre, Co Donegal It’s the perfect Christmas present for any Derry City fans who remember all those club legends, or even younger fans that want to learn more about the club legends of the past. Contact andrew@derrycityfc.net for more information

The book is available online now priced at £12.99. Scan the QR code to the right to get your book delivered.

You can also buy locally at: - Ferry Clever, Bishop Street, Derry - Paul Martin Menswear, Greenhaw Road, Derry

17

18

19

20

TONIGHT’S SQUADS DERRY CITY F.C.

BOHEMIAN 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 IDEHAN 26 - TADHG RYAN 27 - DANIEL KELLY 28 - ADAM O’REILLY 29 - SEAN ROBERTSON 31 - TIERNAN MCGINTY 35 - GLENN MCCOURT 39 - CONOR BARR 40 - CALUM MCCAY

1 - JAMES TALBOT 2 - LIAM SMITH 3 - PADDY KIRK 5 - ROB CORNWALL 6 - JORDAN FLORES 7 - DECLAN MCDAID 8 - DAYLE ROONEY 9 - FILIP PISZCZEK 10 - DAWSON DEVOY 11 - JAMES AKINTUNDE 12 - DANNY GRANT 14 - JAMES MCMANUS 15 - JAMES CLARKE 16 - KEITH BUCKLEY 17 - ADAM MCDONNELL 18 - BRIAN MCMANUS 19 - MARTIN MILLER 20 - LEIGH KAVANAGH 21 - ALEX GREIVE 22 - RHYS BRENNAN 23 - ARCHIE MEEKISON 24 - CIAN BYRNE 26 - ROSS TIERNEY 29 - NICKSON OKOSUN 30 - KACPER CHORĄŻKA 33 - JAKE CARROLL 38 - JEVON MILLS

Manager: RUAIDHRÍ HIGGINS

Manager: ALAN REYNOLDS

Tonight’s Match Sponsors:

Maydown Industrial Estate, Derry BT47 6TY | info@hivoltcapacitors.com

21

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

23 ANSWERS: SHIRT NUMBER MATHS: Will Patching (8) + Colm Whelan (11) - Paul McMullan (12) = Michael Duffy (7) SPOT THE DIFFERENCE: 1) Spectator in the background on the right has disappeared; 2) Shirt sponsor has disappeared from Shamrock Rovers shirt; 3) Badge has disappeared from Will Patching’s shirt; 4) Referee’s watch has appeared; 5) Referee is wearing long bottoms

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?

+

_

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

24

25

26

It’s easier than ever to book a taxi with City Cabs Call

028 7126 4466 Google Play

Download

App Store

Our App Use our

Interactive Voice Response Book online

www.citycabsderry.com International plc

ISO 9001 REGISTERED

International plc

ISO 14001 REGISTERED

Find us on Facebook

27

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 Up tonight to give us her views and opinions on all things Derry City is what I believe to be one of our first female volunteers into the Fanzone, Sinead Kelly.

Sinead has been supporting the Candystripes since 1985. Welcome to the Fanzone, Sinead!

Best opposition player you’ve seen play?

Can I say Paddy McCourt playing for Shamrock Rovers when he destroyed us at home? I’ll also a shout to Glen Crowe!

Why? As I said above, Paddy was pure skill! Thank God we signed him the following season!

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

I love Dalymount, always have.

A shout out to The Glens’ Oval in East Belfast

Name: Sinead Kelly How long have you been supporting Derry City?

Since they returned to the league but became more hardcore later!

Where do you sit in the Brandywell?

I-D-01. You can carry my coffin out of there! Been there since the Shed came down.

What goal sticks out in your mind?

Liam Coyle in the relegation play off against Finn Harps. I still remember Kevin McHugh running down the dog track after scoring for Harps!

Why? That was the goal that kept us up, and who better to score it than Liam!

Name your best Derry City team (you can pick from any era) One to Eleven with Three subs GK David Forde, Eddie McCallion, Stuart Gauld, Ryan McBride, Sean Hargan, Peter Hutton, James McClean, Paddy McCourt, Felix Healy, Liam Coyle, Eamon Zayed.

Subs, Barry Molly, Mark Farren, Gary Beckett Best manager you’ve seen at Derry City?

Jim McLaughlin Favourite half time snack?

Don’t do HT but I have a cup of tea & twix before the game. I just ask for my usual at the Coffee Bean. One week I had to get a kit kat as no Twix!!

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

Have what they do in the GAA where anniversary teams/players are inducted into a hall of fame.

Best Player you’ve seen playing for the Candystripes?

Eddie McCallion or Pizza for consistency. Liam Coyle & Paddy McCourt for pure skill.

Why? As stated above.

Everyone seems to go for the stand out midfielders/goal scorers but you always need a solid defence.

29

A STROLL DOWN MEMORY LANE

With Mick McBride

“IN THE BEGINNING” Well, wouldn’t you just know it! Hot on the heels of our brilliant Cup semi-final victory last Friday at Dalymount Park, we once again meet our auld Dublin friends and rivals, Bohemians tonight! That said, tonight’s game is such a crucial one for both sides, for entirely different reasons! We desperately need the three points in our quest for the League title, whilst Bohs are trying to avoid a relegation play-off, so yet another nail biting encounter is very much in the offing!

Dalymount has always been my favourite away ground, as it holds so many special Derry City memories for us. I However, my very first memory was when we travelled down for an International match against a very good Scotland side away back in 1963. Big Noel Cantwell scored the only goal for an Irish win at a packed Dalymount. Back then, with very little TV coverage, to see in the flesh, players like Cantwell, Giles, Hurley, Dunne, Law, Baxter, McNeil, Henderson, St. John, etc, was something special! The following year it was the turn of England to pack the ground, winning 1-3 as they prepared for the World Cup in 1966. I remember Willie Browne of Bobs and Shelbourne’s Freddie Strahan, (who scored our excellent goal) sharing a pitch with the likes of Bobby Charlton, Jimmy Greaves, Bobby Moore, George Eastham, Peter Thompson etc! As it turned out,

30

Mick McBride and his wife Teresa with new Rep of Ireland manager, Heimer Hallgrimsson and his assistant John O’Shea only four of that England side actually played in the ‘66 Final, such was the depth of talent in their squad.

DERRY CITY DAYS! I can only recall us meeting Bohemians once in our Irish League days when we beat them 1-3 at Dalymount in April 1970. Older fans will remember that this was in a North-South competition called the Blaxnit Cup, and four bus-loads of Derry fans got a special mention for our non-stop vocal support during the game.

Compare this then to our very first encounter with Bohs in the L.O.I. on 14th September 1986 when more than 5,000 vociferous, colourful City fans

brought their carnival to Dalymount for what was, after all, only a League Cup group match! When you consider that we had also lost our first game in the series at home to Galway the previous week, it underlines the mass hysteria generated by Derry’s return to senior football the season before. Yes, looking back now, the whole thing was a bit crazy, but it wasn’t just a football match, it was an adventure into the unknown. It was like going on your holidays with your mates and having a great day’s craic in far off fields!

Determined to gain promotion to the Premier Division at the second Attempt, City had brought soccer supremo, and local man, Jim McLaughlin back to Brandywell as general man-

31

32

STROLL DOWN MEMORY LANE Continued... ager to work alongside team manager Noel King. Together they signed up half a dozen quality players, including Yugoslav striker Alexander Krstic, Stuart Roberts, Jack Keay, Alan Harrison, Jim McKechnie and Jean Marie Mananga. The latter only played a few games before returning home, but Da Gama was on his way back for a second stint.

On the fan front, there were already 53 affiliated branches of the Derry City Supporters Club at the club whilst many more had still to come on board!

THE MATCH! With an atmosphere more becoming a cup final, the game began at a frantic pace and goalkeeper Eamonn Quigley, deputising for the injured Stuart Roberts, made a fine save from Jameson. Derry replied with good chances from Mahon and Krstic before Bohs tested our defence with efforts from Byrne and Jameson, as the play swept from end to end. In the second half, City almost broke the deadlock with a Krstic shot which cannoned off the Bohs’ ‘keeper O’Neill only to rebound off the post to safety. At the other end Quigley did great to parry a Jameson shot and smother the rebound, as the forward closed in for the kill. After 65 minutes Krstic had the ball in the Bohs net after great play involving Mahon and Cunningham but it was ruled out for offside. It was anybody’s game and the crowd were at fever pitch as both sides strove for the winner. With just four minutes

Mick McBride and his wife Teresa pictured last week with former Bohemians and Derry City winger Gareth McGlynn remaining, and the game heading towards a scoreless draw, it suddenly clicked for Derry.

Gauld clipped a beautiful pass to Mahon who cut inside to fire in a fine shot. O’Neill got a hand to the ball but it fell to the feet of the ever alert Krstic who gleefully swept it home. The scenes at Daly-mount had to be seen and heard to be believed as the visiting has went ballistic. There was no way back for Bohs and the final whistle was the signal for the celebrations to begin. If truth were told, the game was not one for the purists, but it was played at a frantic pace and was tension packed and the fans certainly got value for their money. Derry went on to win two and draw one of their remaining three group games but still failed to qualify for the

quarter-finals, coming third behind Galway and Athlone Town.

Little did we know then that we would go on to win the League Cup a record eleven times and of course, the Treble was just around the corner!

BOHEMIANS:

O’Neill, Keegan, Conway, Murphy, Kinsella, O’Brien, Reynor, Byrne, Jameson, Swan, Caffrev.

DERRY CITY:

Quigley, McLaughlin, McDowell, Keay, Gauld, Harrison, King, McKechnie, Cunningham, Krstic, Mahon. Subs: O’Neill and Carlyle (not used)

REFEREE:

Paddy Daly (Dublin)

33

CANDYSTRIPES & GYPSIES: PLAYED FOR BOTH Daniel Kelly: After a five year stint at Dundalk, where he won a league title, league cup and FAI Cup, the 28 year old winger was Ruaidhrí Higgins’ first signing going into the 2024 campaign. Kelly, who also scored the winner in the Europa League play-off fixture against KÍ Klaksvik to send the Lilywhites to the group stages in 2020, made six appearances for Bohemians in the 2018 season. Registering a goal and assist in Dalymount, the pacey wide-man also spent time with Bray Wanderers and Crumlin United earlier in his career. Kelly has played 29 times for City this season, making three assists and scoring once.

By Pól O’Hare departing after winning the FAI Cup in 2022. His current manager was Ruaidhrí Higgins assistant for that cup win. Stoppage time winners against Bohemians and Finn Harps were highlights of the now 28 year old’s time on Foyleside.

Tadhg Ryan: City’s current second choice ‘keeper has had a storied career in the League of Ireland after leaving Huddersfield Town in 2018, lining out for Cork City, Waterford, Galway United, Treaty United, Bohemians and Derry City. After being named Treaty United’s Player of the Year in 2021, Ryan signed for Bohemians ahead of the 2022 campaign. He made 13 appearances for the Gypsies before joining Derry City in 2023.

The 27 year old has played in the FAI Cup and in friendlies for the Candystripes but has only been kept out of the starting eleven due to the consistency of Brian Maher’s performances.

and Shelbourne before signing for Shamrock Rovers in 2013, where he made 35 appearances. Rovers loaned Cornwall to Derry City in 2015, scoring once in 14 games before leaving for Bohemians in 2016. After lining out in red and black more than 130 times, he left Bohs after five years to become the first signing for Éamon Zayed’s Northern Colorado Hailstorm in their inaugural season in the USL League One. He’s now back at Bohemians, but a nasty ACL injury earlier in the year has forced him to miss the 2024 campaign.

Ruaidhrí Higgins: Current City boss Ruaidhrí Higgins was something of a club legend

Rob Cornwall: The defender spent time at both St. Pat’s

James Akintunde: A former cult hero at the Brandywell, English striker James Akintunde has scored five league goals under Alan Reynolds at Bohemians after leaving the Candystripes for Phibsborough ahead of the 2023 season. Akintunde signed for Derry from Maidenhead United in the summer of 2020 and scored twelve goals before

34

even before guiding the Candystripes to FAI Cup glory as manager in 2022. Playing 289 times across two spells with club, Higgins picked up two FAI Cups and five League Cups as a player. The Limavady man spent just one season between 2004 and 2013 away from the Bran-

LIVE FOR IT

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

35

Derry Credit Union’s popular

AUTO LOAN

Don't dream it, Drive it!

Loans are subject to approval. Terms and conditions apply. If you do not meet the repayments on your loan, your account will go into arrears. This may affect your credit rating which may limit your ability to access credit in the future. Derry Credit Union Limited is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority (FRN574104) Registered address 7-9 Abbey Street, Derry, BT48 9DN. E&OE February 2024.

36

CANDYSTRIPES & GYPSIES: PLAYED FOR BOTH continued... dywell, that was at Bohemians in 2010 when he won the Setanta Cup and finished second in the league – missing out on top spot on goal difference. The 39 year old had spells at Dundalk and Coleraine before taking the step into coaching, firstly back at Dundalk before taking up an analysist role with the Republic of Ireland national team. Almost at the end of his third full season at the helm, City have finished second three years in a row and won the FAI Cup for the first time in ten years. He has just guided the Candystripes to a second FAI Cup final of his tenure after victory away to Bohemians last week.

Ryan Graydon: Dubliner Ryan Graydon came through the youth ranks at Bohemians, before making his senior debut for the Gypsies against Cabinteely in 2018. After failing to score for the senior team, the winger signed for Bray Wanderers then Longford Town. Derry swooped for the 23 year old, paying €10,000 for his services in July 2022. After a year as City’s first choice right winger, Graydon made the switch to Fleetwood Town for a fee believed to be around £125,000 in July 2023.

He’s been one of League Two’s best players this season, registering nine goal involvements in eleven games in all competitions.

Stephen Mallon: Originally 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 in 2020. He scored again a week later, this time against Waterford. After seventeen appearances for Derry City, Mallon returned to Sheffield United before signing permanently for Bohemians in January 2021. The wide-man scored once in seventeen games for Bohs before joining Cliftonville in July 2022, where he recently won the Irish Cup alongside former Derry City men Rory Hale, Ronan Hale, Nathan Gartside, Ryan Curran and Derry native Ben Wilson. Mallon signed for Sligo Rovers in the summer, where he has since played seven times.

Junior Ogedi-Uzokwe: English forward Junior Ogedi-Uzokwe joined Derry City on-loan from Colchester United after impressing on trial in 2019. He 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. Junior left Colchester for Hapoel Hadera in 2020 but returned to Ireland with Sligo Rovers later that year. After half a season at the Showgrounds, where he netted twice in fourteen games, Junior signed for Dundalk, before rejoining Derry on-loan in the summer of 2021. Six goals in fifteen on loan at the Brandywell helped City to a higher placed league finish than his parent club. After a spell at Bohemians, where he scored five and assisted six in twenty games in 2022, Junior is now a Galway United player after recently lining out for Glentoran under former Derry and Bohemians boss Declan Devine.

Georgie Kelly: The 27 year old Donegal native came through the Derry City youth ranks and made three appearances for the Candystripes during the 2015 season. He joined UCD ahead of the 2016 season and netted 37 times in 68 First Division outings before signing for Dundalk in 2018. Kelly ended the 2018 season with winner’s medals for both the Premier and First Divisions, before adding an FAI Cup medal to his collection.

After a spell on loan at St. Pat’s, Bohemians came knocking for the forward ahead of the 2021 campaign. 21 goals in 31 games earned him a move to Rotherham United in League One where Kelly earned himself hero status - scoring the goal which promoted ‘The Millers’ to the Championship in April 2022.

He signed for Carlisle United in January but has failed to score for the League Two outfit.

37

This week... Derry City fan... DAMIEN MULLAN 1. Which club are the current Super League Greece 1 champions?

4.

2. Tottenham Hotspur striker Dominic Solanke has made one international appearance for which nation?

3. Who were the last club that Irish striker Troy Parrott was on loan to before leaving Tottenham for AZ Alkmaar?

4. Name the former Everton player pictured on the right.

5. Which club did Philippe Clement manage before moving to manage Rangers?

6. Who was the last manager to win Premiership Manager of the Season other than Pep Guardiola or Jürgen Klopp?

7. What year did Bohemians last win the FAI Cup?

6.

8. When Alan Reynolds left Derry in April 2023 to return to Waterford as Assistant Manager, who was the manager that he worked under?

DAMIEN’S ANSWERS: 1) AEK Athens; 2) Is he English? I’ll go England; 3) No idea!; 4) Matterazzi?; 5) Haven’t a clue!; 6) Must be when Ranieri won the league?; 7) 2008; 8) Can’t remember! Pass!

DAMIEN’S SCORE: 3 out of 8! Can you beat it?

ANSWERS: 1) PAOK; 2) England; 3) Excelsior Rotterdam; 4) Marco Materazzi; 5) Monaco; 6) Antonio Conte (Chelsea, 2017); 7) 2008 (beating Derry City); 8) Keith Long

38

BE THE CHALLENGER! CONTACT ANDREW@DERRYCITYFC.NET

39

40