CityView Vol-40 No-1 - Derry City vs Drogheda United - Friday 16th February

DERRY CITY F.C. v DROGHEDA UNITED LEAGUE OF IRELAND PREMIER DIVISION FRIDAY 16th FEBRUARY 2024 | 7.45pm Vol. 40 - No. 01

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Welcome to...

DROGHEDA UNITED 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 for the first game of the new season against Drogheda United.

Welcome back also to Kevin Doherty, as well as the players, officials, and supporters from Drogheda who have travelled up this evening.

We start the new season with a few new faces. It’s one of the main reasons that the programmes sell well on the first night back! So you can have a lookk and see who the new faces are as well as memorise any new squad numbers. The new faces will be No 9 Pat Hoban, No 27 Daniel Kelly, and our new third goalkeeper Evan Ovendale, a 19yo Welsh ‘keeper whose Dad, Mark Ovendale was a top ‘keeper in England playing for Bournemouth and Luton Town, among others.

Welcome to the club to all three of them.

Drogheda have always been

considered as a bit of a ‘bogey team’ for Derry over the years.

The two clubs met four times last season. Two wins for Derry, a 0-0 draw, and a 1-0 Drogheda win last April here at the Brandywell. Cameron McJannet was sent off that night as well.

The highest scoring game was here as well back in August when goals from Jamie McGonigle, Jordan McEneff and Michael Duffy earned a 3-0 win for the Candystripes.

Enjoy the game tonight and we hope you’ll be leaving happy with the result!

TONIGHT’S MATCH OFFICIALS: Referee: DAMIEN MAC GRAITH

Assistant 1: Wayne McDonnell |Assistant 2: Richard Storey Fourth Official: Marc Lynch

TONIGHT’S MATCH SPONSOR:

77 Clooney Road, Campsie www.mckenziesni.com

PLEASE SUPPORT ALL OUR SPONSORS

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MESSAGE FROM THE MANAGER

I’d like to welcome our own supporters, and the management, players and fans of Drogheda United to the Brandywell tonight at the start of the 2024 season.

We all start with a clean slate on opening night which makes it an exciting time for players and fans of all clubs, and no doubt it’s the same for Kevin Doherty and his side.

Drogheda always seem to recruit well in the close season and have done so again this year, but our only concern for now is making sure we hit the ground running.

I said at the end of last year that there wouldn’t be wholesale changes to the 2023 squad and I’m sure supporters will agree that has been the case.

The players that have come in will strenthen the group and they’ve settled in very quickly.

Pre-season has been really good and I’m delighted with the group of players

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we have as we head into the new campaign.

It will be a tough league as always and if anything it’s getting stronger, but we’ve been preparing for that.

Off the field things are improving too and work has started this week on the new stand. It’ll mean a little inconvenience to start with, but hopefully it will be completed in late summer and will take our capacity well up over 5000.

I’m reliably informed that Season Ticket sales are up again this season and that’s great news too.

You’ve continued to back us and I have no doubt you’ll get right behind the players this evening as we try to start with a win.

Everyone has worked hard over the last number of weeks to be ready for tonight and we will do everything we can to send you home with something to shout about.

Enjoy the game

Ruaidhrí Higgins, Manager

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CULDAFF VS DERRY CITY 1985 As the Candystripes geared up for their inaugural season in the League of Ireland they travelled to Culdaff on Sunday 30th June 1985 to take on a Culdaff – Inishowen Select to mark the opening of Caratra Park. Special guest was Pat Jennings. Match sponsors were Donegal Porridge Oats (Buncrana). Strabane Brass Band was in attendance and there was to be an Invitation 1 mile race on the new track.

Guesting for the home side were twins Eamon (West Ham) and Pat (Arsenal) Dolan whose mother came from Carndonagh.

Despite it being a rainy day there was large attendance. The Select XI took the lead when Pat Dolan prodded home a Boyle free kick but the visitors were level within minutes when a shot was deflected into his own net by a Culdaff defender.

City went in front shortly after when a Paul McMullan shot was blocked but Declan Meenan scored with the rebound. The goals were coming thick and fast and Coyle levelled the

By Francie McCauley

scores just before the half hour.

Doherty, the home keeper, thwarted efforts from Barry Mc Creadie, Eugene Ferry and Mc Mullan before Liam Mc Dermott gave the Candystripes a half time lead.

Second half goals from Mc Creadie and Bobby Murray wrapped up the scoring for the Candystripes.

There was a special forty-page (over half being adverts) programme available for 50p. The remaining pages consisted of a Chairman’s Address, the history of two Culdaff FCs (the original club founded in the 1930s and the current club formed in 1972 as part of the local Youth Club and which competed in the Inishowen League being the previous season’s First Division champions), a brief pen portrait of Eddie Mahon and an article about Carrowmore Hurling Club who would also play at the new park.

The team line ups featured across the middle pages and the second half of the programme

contained two pages about Pat Jennings, a potted history of Derry City FC, reference to the Dolan twins and finally a list of names for the Culdaff club’s Committee.

The date of the match coincided with the Annual General Meeting in Dublin of the League of Ireland. Wires seemed to have got crossed – the League had expected Derry’s attendance and President of the League (and chairman of Finn Harps) Fran Fields expressed the League’s displeasure at their non-attendance.

City chairman James Mc Cauley hit back stating that no snub had been intended but no letter or invitation to attend had been received by the Brandywell club.

If such had arrived they would have been pleased to attend as the club had an official League representative based in Dublin and they were keen to establish harmonious relationships with all clubs in the League and with all its officials.

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SINGING THE BLUES The day after the 2023 FAI Cup Final between Bohemians & St Patrick’s which brought the curtain down on last year’s season, attention across the water turned to Manchester Cathedral where the funeral of the late Bobby Charlton was being held. Described as one of the greatest footballers ever to play in England, Bobby survived the 1958 Munich air crash which killed 8 of his United colleagues and went on make over 500 appearances & score 199 goals in his career at Old Trafford.

With his big brother Jack he won the World Cup in 1966 as well as collecting the coveted Ballon d’or. He also picked up 3 League Titles, a FA Cup and in 1968 the European Cup at Wembley scoring twice in a 4-1 victory over Benfica. Later that year the Red Devils were drawn against Waterford in the 1st round of Champions Cup with the first leg at Landsdowne Road where 48,000 witnessed a Denis Law hat -trick in a 3-1 win. The return leg saw Law score another 4

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By Sean McGillan

goals in a 7-1 rout. Fast forward to 1976 when Charlton left his position as Manager of Preston North End to come and play for the Blues. His appointment was big news for everyone with over 6000 fans flocking through the turnstiles at a packed Kilcohan Park where attendances averaged around 2000 in the late sixties & early seventies as Waterford win 6 titles in 8 years.

The gate receipts were £1900 ( around £19000 in today’s money) The man responsible for bringing the star over was the Chairman Joseph Delaney who wanted to put a spark back into the club (according to player Alfie Hale.) In his debut on Irish soil Bobby played well against St. Pats and despite the home side going behind he was fouled in the box & Mich Leech equalised with the resulting penalty just before half time. In the 71st minute Charlton set up ex United player McCarthy

to make it 2-1 & he added a second shortly after. St. Pats pulled one back just before the final whistle. The local paper’s headline next day was “ Charlton puts icing on Waterford’s performance” In his second game away to Finn Harps Bobby scored in a 3-1 victory. The next 2 games were defeats away to Bohemians (2-0)and in a Cup match away to Finn Harps. (3-0) The Irish adventure ended and a couple of years later Bobby had another brief spell in Australia before he hung up his boots. Bobby was one of the “Holy Trinity” with Denis Law and George Best who were honoured in 2008 by a statue outside Old Trafford. I’ll leave the last word to Waterford’s Alfie Hale - “ I think when you judge a player in any sport or in music or in anything else they are judged by their peers. And the peers all said Bobby Charlton was the best - the best of all of them”

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

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NEWS FROM AROUND THE LEAGUE

2024 LEAGUE TABLE: Pld Pts Bohemians

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DERRY CITY

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Drogheda Utd

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Dundalk

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Galway United

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Shamrock Rvrs

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Shelbourne

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Sligo Rovers

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St. Pat’s Athletic

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Waterford

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This Round’s Fixtures: FRIDAY 16th FEBRUARY DERRY CITY v Drogheda United Shamrock Rovers v Dundalk Galway United v St Patrick’s Athletic Waterford v Shelbourne Bohemians v Sligo Rovers

STADIUM WORK STARTS THIS WEEK Derry City and Strabane District Council and Derry City FC are pleased to confirm that the initial stages of works for the redevelopment plans at the Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium will commence later this week.

The planned enabling works will see the partial demolition of the northern end of the existing Southend Stand, to make space for the construction of the new North Stand.

The enabling works comprise the removal of seating in Blocks A and B of the Southend Stand, the disconnection of services, the dismantling of the roof steel frame and cladding, followed by the complete demolition of the concrete terracing. It is anticipated that these enabling works will take four to six weeks to complete, after which the building

of the new stand will commence.

Planning permission was granted in October last year for the partial demolition of the Southend Stand and the development of a safe standing covered terrace, male and female toilet facilities, two sets of turnstiles and access gates and other associated works. Council of-

ficers and club officials have been working collectively over the past number of months to bring forward this hugely important project, to ensure all the necessary legal and technical arrangements and statutory approvals are in place before contractors could commence work on the site.

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PRE-SEASON GAMES...

FINN HARPS 2 - 2 DERRY CITY: The two traditional pre-season friendlies got underway at Finn Park this season as goals from Michael Duffy and Sean Patton saw City draw with Harps in the North West derby.

INSTITUTE 0 - 3 DERRY CITY: The annual Billy Kee Memorial Cup was contested at Institute’s home ground... the Brandywell! Derry finished up as 3-0 winners. Patrick McEleney, Jordan McEneff and Paul McMullan with the goals

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you into them?

It was always Celtic. Just like through my family and that.

I used to go watch them on weekends and stuff.

DANNY MULLEN

D IS FOR DRESS SENSE...

Which Derry City team mate has the worst fashion sense?

There would usually be someone coming to mind, but I think everybody’s actually not bad! I’ll say Tadhg if anyone!

E IS FOR ENTERTAINMENT...

A IS FOR ANNOYING...

Which team mate would you hate to sit beside on the bus all the way to Cork and why?

Will Patching! I’d say he’d take up two seats!

B IS FOR BOX...

What is your favourite TV show? Either at the minute or of all time.

There’s a Scottish show called Still Game. I don’t think it’s as popular outside of Scotland, but yeah, Still Game would be my favourite.

What CD and DVD would you play on the bus to Dublin if it was your choice?

I’m not the best at these kind of things! DVD… maybe The Longest Yard. It’s a classic.

Music as well? Probably GBX if you know it? It’s like, dance remixes of songs. They’re a Scottish act.

F IS FOR FUNNY...

What’s the funniest thing you’ve seen happen in your time in football?

I would say the time at Livingston, where we strapped the physio to the physio bed and rolled him outside and got flour, eggs and things all over him! It was for his birthday or something I think!

G IS FOR GOAL...

What’s been the best goal you’ve ever scored?

C IS FOR CHILDHOOD...

Who were your favourite team as a boy and what got

I’d say one when I was at Saint Mirren against St. Johnstone, that was left foot volley. It just fell to me on the left foot and it went straight in top bins.

H IS FOR HOLIDAY...

What is your favourite holiday

destination? Or where would you like to go no expense spared?

I’ve not really been in many different places. I like going to Tenerife for your family holiday though.

I IS FOR IDOL...

Which footballer did you idolise as a boy?

Henrik Larsson through Celtic but Messi in terms of being the best.

J IS FOR JOKER...

Who is the biggest practical joker in the team?

I think it’s probably Daniel Kelly when he gets going! Or Ciaran Coll!

K IS FOR KIT...

What has been your favourite football kit that you’ve ever played in or owned?

The Celtic Black Magic kit!

L IS FOR LIFE AFTER PLAYING...

Do you see yourself staying in football when your playing career is over?

Not sure. I did a bit of coaching kids and that, but I don’t think it’s something I could do full time. Haven’t really thought about it though to be fair.

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M IS FOR MEMENTO...

What is the one football memento you own that you’ll never give away?

Nothing specific, just kind of all the medals and things I’ve won really. I couldn’t pick out one item.

N IS FOR NEXT BIG THING...

Which Derry City player do you think could be the next to make a move overseas?

Brian Maher. I think he’s got what it takes. He’s on to something good

S IS FOR SKILLS...

Who has the best skills in the team?

I don’t think there’s anyone who tries a lot of tricks. Maybe Ciaron Harkin.

T IS FOR TEAM MATES...

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

Probably like, in terms that he’s done the best in his career, Charlie Adam at Dundee. I don’t know if he was the best technically and stuff like that. Either Charlie or Anton Ferdinand at St Mirren either.

O IS FOR OPPOSITION...

Which opposition do you look forward to playing the most either this year or every year?

I like the big games. I think all the boys want to start against the likes of Shamrock Rovers!

P IS FOR PASSTIME...

Outside of football, do you have any hobbies in your spare time?

I enjoy a bit of snooker. I’m alright like. Average I’d say! I’d love to say I have a high break, but it’s not that impressive!

Q IS FOR QUIZ...

Which Derry City team mate would you definitely not want in your team if you were to do a quiz?

Me! 100%! I’m useless in a quiz!

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W IS FOR WHILE AWAY THE TIME...

How do you keep yourself entertained during away trips or overnights?

Nothing really, just Netflix or playing cards with the boys.

X IS FOR EXCHANGE...

If you could change places with someone in another sport for a day, who would it be?

Ronnie O’Sullivan came into my head, but I’d say someone like Tyson Fury!

U IS FOR UNPARALLELED...

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

Big Virgil Van DIjk when he played with Celtic! I would spend the whole match just trying to avoid him!

R IS FOR RESULT...

Which result meant the most to you in your career?

Probably when I was at St Mirren, in the relegation playoff to get relegated against Dundee United and we end up staying up in the last the last game so, I’d say that one.

I drive a Rage Rover Evoke just now, but I’d probably drive a Lamborghini Urus if I was on Premiership money!

Y IS FOR YOUTH...

Where did you start your youth career, and did you always play in the same position?

I started at Albion Rovers until I was about 11-12 and then went to Aberdeen, and I started out wide when I was younger and just moved up front.

Z IS FOR ZERO CHANCE...

V IS FOR VEHICLE...

What car do you drive now, and what would you drive if you were in the Premiership?

What club would there be no chance of you ever playing for or supporting?

I’d say there’s no chance of me ever playing for Barcelona! And I don’t reckon I’ll ever support Rangers!

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TONIGHT’S SQUADS DERRY CITY F.C.

DROGHEDA UNITED

1 - BRIAN MAHER 2 - RONAN BOYCE 3 - CIARÁN COLL 4 - CIARON HARKIN 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 17 - CAMERON MCJANNET 21 - DANNY MULLEN 22 - JORDAN MCENEFF 23 - CAMERON DUMMIGAN 24 - SAM TODD 26 - TADHG RYAN 27 - DANIEL KELLY 28 - ADAM O’REILLY 30 - EVAN OVENDALE 31 - TIERNAN MCGINTY 32 - SEAN PATTON 39 - CONOR BARR 40 - CALUM MCCAY

1 - ANDREW WOGAN 3 - EVAN WEIR 4 - ANDREW QUINN 5 - HAYDEN CANN 6 - JACK KEANEY 7 - DARRAGH MARKEY 8 - GARY DEEGAN 9 - FRANTZ PIERROT 11 - ADAM FOLEY 12 - RYAN MAHER 14 - MATTHEW O’BRIEN 15 - DAVID WEBSTER 16 - ZISHIM BAWA 18 - KILLIAN CAILLOCE 19 - RYAN BRENNAN 20 - EMRE TOPÇU 21 - LUKE HEENEY 22 - AARON MCNALLY 23 - CONOR KANE 24 - WARREN DAVIS 26 - OISIN GALLAGHER 27 - JETHREN BARR 49 - KILLIAN CAILLOCE

Manager: RUAIDHRÍ HIGGINS

Manager: KEVIN DOHERTY

Tonight’s Match Sponsors:

77 Clooney Road, Campsie www.peakenvironmental.co.uk

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

23 ANSWERS: SHIRT NUMBER MATHS: Cameron Dummigan (23) + Patrick McEleney (10) - Mark Connolly (6) = Daniel Kelly (27) SPOT THE DIFFERENCE: 1) Paul McMullan’s shirt has changed from 12 to 2; 2) Number 9 has disappeared from Pat Hoban’s shorts; 3) Writing has disappeared from advertising board; 4) Shane McEleney has disappeared; 5) Barrier has disappeared from stand

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 The new 2024 season sees a new selection of fans stepping forward to put their views and preferences to the general public to stimulate half time discussion and maybe even start a few friendly arguments!

For the first match of this new season we welcome to the Fanzone Arena another avid Derry City fan of some 30 years, Sean Redden.

Best opposition player you’ve seen play?

Joey N’Do Why? Again, he had a special talent and always put a show on!

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

Parc de Prince in Paris. What a night that was!

What goal sticks out in your mind?

Liam Coyle’s goal against Finn Harps in the play off.

Name: Sean Redden How long have you been supporting Derry City?

Since about 1993, so, 30 plus years

Why? It was against our biggest rivals, kept us in the Premier division and sent them down.

Place was electric!

Name your best Derry City team (you can pick from any era) One to Eleven with Three subs GK David Forde

LB Pascal Vaudaquin CB Ryan McBride CB Darren Kelly RB (Steady) Eddie McCallion LM Paddy McCourt CM Barry Molloy CM Felix Healy RM (Storky) Paul Carlyle ST Mark Farren ST Gary Beckett Subs Michael Duffy Johnny Speake Liam Coyle Best manager you’ve seen at Derry City?

Stephen Kenny.

Favourite half time snack?

A (sneaky) Heineken and a burger from Ray’s Chippy!!

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

More displays for big games. ie red and white cards to hold up as the team comes on to the pitch!

Where do you sit in the Brandywell?

In the Mark Farren Stand.

Best Player you’ve seen playing for the Candystripes?

Without doubt it has to be Liam Coyle Why? He just possessed those silky skills that really gifted players have. He could nutmeg a Mermaid in a phone box! lol.

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SUPPORTERS LIASION OFFICER The role of Supporter Liaison Officer is a voluntary role and Karen is the link between Derry City, FAI, her fellow SLOs and the supporters; helping to build and maintain a strong relationship through providing important information and enhancing the match-day experience for all.

The FAI really want the SLO’s to be recognised in all Clubs in the League of Ireland. Karen has been SLO for our Club for the past few seasons. She recently attended a 4 Day workshop with UEFA, FSE & League of Ireland which was held to support the role of the SLO.

Karen has been a volunteer at the club now for many, many years. She is an integral part of the matchday organisation, both for home and away games. Karen’s involvement extends to regular interactions with fellow SLOs in the League of Ireland, event control, fans, Board of Directors and ticketing.

Karen is actively visible during home matches and tries to be present at most away games. If you would like any information relating to match nights, away

games or if you have any concerns you would like to raise.

Please contact Karen – karen@ derrycityfc.net

39 SEASONS IN LEAGUE OF IRELAND Incredibly, this is the start of our 40th season in League of Ireland football.

Since joining the League of Ireland in 1985, we have played a total of 1657 competitive games. We have won 769 games, drawn 439 and lost 449. We have scored 2481 goals and conceded 1592 keeping 665 clean sheets and failing to score on 443 occasions. Our win ratio is 46.41%.

We have been League of Ireland champions twice – 1988/89 and 1996 /97, while we have won the first division on two occasions – 1986/87 and 2010. We have won the FAI cup 6 times and also won the league cup a record 11 times including last season.

459 players have represented the club since 1985, making

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By Brian Dunleavy

a total of 21745 appearances.

Peter Hutton with 663 games has made more appearances than any other player. Eddie McCallion is in 2nd place with 537 and Paul Curran in 3rd place with 518 games. In the current squad, Mark McChrys-

tal with 127 appearances has most played most games for the club.

Our 2412 goals have been shared between 238 different goal scorers, with our top goalscorer being Mark Farren 113 goals, followed by Liam

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MEMORABLE FIRST GAMES continued...

Coyle with 112 and Jonathon Speak with 98.

Eddie McCallion has played most games in any one season, with 52 appearances in 2006.

Paul Curran has made most consecutive appearances, with a run of 135 games between Dec 1993 and Dec 1996, while Dermot O’Neill has most consecutive league appearances, with 110 between Sept 1991 and Nov 1994.

Alex Krstic holds the record for consecutive scoring games, with a run of 12 games between Dec 1986 and March 1987.

Peter Hutton has captained the side most often – 399 times, Jonathon Speak has most hat tricks with 7, and also scored most goals in a game, when he netted six times against Sligo Rovers in April 1988. Stuart Gauld with 44 has scored most penalties, while Gerard Doherty, with 162 has kept most clean sheets.

In the league we have played 1262 games, winning 550 (a win ratio of 43.58%), drawing

355 and losing 357. We have scored 1761 league goals and conceded 1220, keeping 493 clean sheets.

Eighteen managers have taken charge of our great club, with Stephen Kenny being at the helm on most occasions – 287 games.

The most frequent scoreline has been a 1-1 draw, which has been recorded on 216 occasions.

We have faced 77 different opponents in our 38 seasons to date, with our most frequent opponent being Bohemians, who we have faced on 137 occasions, followed by St Patrick’s Athletic (130 games) and Cork City (127 games).

Bohemians have also been our most frequent league opponent, with 118 league clashes between the sides.

We have had most victories against Bohemians with 66 wins, followed by Finn Harps, who we have overcome on 58 occasions. We have drawn most often against St Patrick’s

Athletic with 43 stalemates, while we have lost most often against Cork City, losing on 48 occasions. With 177 goals we have scored most often against Finn Harps, followed by Bohemians, with 171 goals scored and 156 against Sligo Rovers. St Patrick’s Athletic have scored most goals against us with 142 conceded, while Dundalk have scored against us 139 times and Cork City 130 times. The player to have scored most often against us is Jason Byrne 16 (6 for both Bray Wanderers and Shelbourne and 4 for Bohemians), followed by Pat Morley with 15 (2 for Waterford, 11 for Cork City and 2 for Shelbourne), and David McMillan 13 (3 for UCD and 10 for Dundalk).

Denis McArdle has refereed most Derry City games – 62, followed by Neil Doyle who has reffed 61 Derry City games, while both Paul McLaughlin and David McKeon have done 56 each.

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MEMORABLE FIRST LEAGUE GAMES OF THE SEASON

After 84 days without League of Ireland football, the Premier Division is back for the 2024 campaign and today’s fixture against Drogheda United is the first time since 2019 that City’s first league game of the season has been held in the Brandywell – just the 1,827 days (or five years and one day). It’ll also be only the fourth time this century that Drogheda United have been the visitors on the opening day. Derry won in 2009 and 2005, but Drogheda fans will have fond memories of their trip to the Brandywell in 2002 which saw their team go back down the road with a 2-1 victory. With the day that’s in it, it’s only right that we should do a bit of reminiscing on some of the Candystripes’ season openers in years gone by.

2022: Dundalk 2-2 Derry City

Two goals each for Derry City and Dundalk in 2022’s curtain raiser saw Ruaidhrí Higgins’ men come from behind twice to claim a point in a cold Oriel Park. His new look City team, which saw the returns of Michael Duffy, Patrick McEleney and Will Patching, alongside new recruits Brian Maher, Cameron Dummigan and Brandon Kavanagh, put in a solid shift and gave City fans hope for the season ahead. It was also the beginning of a nine game unbeaten

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By Pól O’Hare

streak for the Candystripes, who finished the campaign in second place and claimed the FAI Cup for the first time in a decade. Current Derry defender Mark Connolly scored for Dundalk to make it 2-1 on the 73rd minute, whilst Jamie McGonigle and Joe Thomson, now at Coleraine and Larne respectively, netted for the Candystripes. City’s two new signings for 2024, Pat Hoban and Dan Kelly, both featured for the Lilywhites in this game and will be in line to make their debuts in red and white tonight.

2019: Derry City 3-0 UCD Declan Devine’s side showed that they meant business in the first game of the 2019 season, which also happened to be the first game of Devine’s second spell as City manager.

After an eighth place finish

in 2018, which saw manager Kenny Shiels leave alongside the majority of the playing squad, the result against UCD showed that Devine’s rebuild was promising. City had nine new faces in the team, which saw Barry McNamee return from a year at Cork City, alongside the new midfield partnership of Ciaron Harkin and Greg Sloggett. David Parkhouse and Eoghan Stokes scored on their City debuts, either side of an own goal from Joshua Collins. Ciaron Harkin and Ciarán Coll are the only two members of the 2019 squad who still ply their trade for the Candystripes, who finished fourth that season and wrapped up European qualification with a 4-0 win over Finn Harps on the final day.

2017: Bohemians 1-4 Derry City Derry certainly laid down a

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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.

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MEMORABLE FIRST GAMES continued... marker at the beginning of the 2017 season, putting four past Bohemians in Dalymount on the opening day. Aaron McEneff opened the scoring with a penalty before Nathan Boyle had City 2-0 up at halftime. Boyle found the net again shortly after the break and Austrian winger Lukas Schubert put the icing on the cake on the 65th minute after Dinny Corcoran got one back for the home side ten minutes earlier. Bohemians’ goal scorer that night spent the 2011 and 2021 seasons at Drogheda too. The Candystripes finished fourth again that season, securing Europa League football for 2018. Current City left back Ben Doherty, who was nineteen at the time, started for the Candystripes.

2012: Derry City 1-0 Bohemians Five years prior and it was Bohemians in the first game of the season again. This time in Declan Devine’s first spell as manager, a solitary goal from Stephen McLaughlin claimed all three points for the Candystripes. Devine is now about to enter his second full season as manager of the Phibsborough side whilst McLaughlin now lines out for Mansfield Town after leaving City for Nottingham Forest in 2013.

Current Derry duo Shane and Patrick McEleney were named in the starting eleven, alongside current manager Ruaidh-

rí Higgins. The Candystripes went on to win the FAI Cup that season and earn Europa League qualification.

2009: Derry City 1-0 Drogheda Utd A single goal from Mark Farren after just ten minutes was enough to secure the points for the Candystripes back on the opening day in 2009 – which also happened to be the last time that Derry faced Drogheda in the first game of the season. City boss Ruaidhrí Higgins started in central midfield and a nineteen year old James McClean was an unused substitute. Ger O’Brien earned the man of the match award on his City debut – a feat which a certain couple of City debutants will want to repeat tonight. Derry finished fourth that season, whilst Drogheda beat Bray Wanderers in the Play-Offs to retain their spot in the Premier Division.

2005: Drogheda Utd 0-2 Derry City Going back another four years and the two sides met in the season opener once again.

Two goals from Alan Murphy, one either side of half-time, saw City take all three points down in Weaver’s Park. Both Derry City and Drogheda qualified for Europa League action after impressive campaigns in 2005. City won the League Cup after defeating UCD in the final and finished second in the league, just two points behind winners Cork City. Meanwhile Drogheda denied The Leesiders a domestic double by beating them 2-0 to clinch their first ever FAI Cup in Lansdowne Road. Paul Doolin, the Drogheda manager at the time, was part of Derry’s historic treble winning side in 1989 and played over a century of games for the Candystripes across two separate spells.

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This week... Derry City fan... RYAN HEALY 1. Who were Derry City away to in the first league game of last season?

4.

2. Which player was involved in the highest transfer received by Manchester City?

3. Which stadium do League Of Ireland First Division club Kerry FC play their home games at?

4. Can you name the former Premiership player pictured on the right?

5. Who holds the record as youngest ever person to

5. manage a Premier League team?

6. Which Celtic or Rangers player has scored the all-time most goals in the Glasgow derby?

7. Drogheda manager Kevin Doherty retired at 29, but who did he play the most games for during his playing career?

8. Who is Drogheda United’s all-time leading goal scorer?

RYAN’S ANSWERS: 1) I can’t think back that far! Dundalk?; 2) Aguero? No he went free didn’t he? Not sure!; 3) No idea! Pass!; 4) Asprilla?; 5) Caretakers count? Ryan Mason? Spurs?; 6) Larsson; 7) I have no idea. Scotland maybe? St Mirren!; 8) Fabio O’Brien

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

ANSWERS: 1) St Patrick’s Athletic; 2) Leroy Sané (£54.8m Bayern Munich); 3) Mounthawk Park Tralee; 4) Faustino Asprilla; 5) Ryan Mason at 32yo (Spurs); 6) Ally McCoist (17 goals); 7) Shelbourne; 8) Declan ‘Fabio’ O’Brien (108 goals)

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BE THE CHALLENGER! CONTACT ANDREW@DERRYCITYFC.NET

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