CityView Vol-40 No-5 - Derry City vs Dundalk - Friday 5th April

DERRY CITY F.C. v DUNDALK F.C. LEAGUE OF IRELAND MEN’S PREMIER DIVISION FRIDAY 5th APRIL 2024 | 7.45pm Vol. 40 - No. 05

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Welcome to...

DUNDALK 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!

Tonight we’re welcoming Dundalk to the Brandywell for the fist time since May last year.

Welcome back as well to Stephen O’Donnell, his staff, the players and of course the supporters from Dundalk who travelled up for this evening’s game. The fnas from Dundalk always travel in good numbers and are always welcome here at the Brandywell.

There were four meetings between the two sides last season, resulting in two Derry City wins and two draws.

The last Dundalk win here at the Brandywell in the league was back in November 2022 when ex-Candystripe Keith Ward scored after 7mins to

seal a 1-0 win for the Lilywhites. Sadou Diallo was sent off early in that game meaning he would miss the FAI Cup Final that month.

Eyes will be on Pat Hoban this evening though. He scored a penalty against Derry last season, but he’s in the red and white stripes tonight and we’ll be hoping he can grab a goal for his new side against his old side!

Enjoy the game and hopefully we’ll be going home happy this evening.

TONIGHT’S MATCH OFFICIALS: Referee: DAVID DUNNE

Assistant 1: Allen Lynch |Assistant 2: Chris Campbell Fourth Official: Marc Lynch

TONIGHT’S MATCH SPONSOR:

21/23 Clarendon Street Tel: +44 (0) 28 7126 1020 | E: city@mooreni.co.uk PLEASE SUPPORT ALL OUR SPONSORS

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MESSAGE FROM THE MANAGER

I’d like to extend a warm welcome to the management, players, staff and supporters of Dundalk FC to the Ryan McBride Brandywell stadium this evening at the end of a very busy week for all clubs.

It’s no secret that things didn’t start too well for us last Friday with that defeat against Galway; something we addressed as a group after the game.

It wasn’t an acceptable performance from us and there was no point in saying anything else. The only thing we could do was try to ensure there will be no repeat of that.

We wanted a committed performance from the group at Shelbourne on Monday night and although we had to settle for a point at Tolka Park, I felt there was a clear response from the players.

Shelbourne have set the standard in the league so far this season and were coming into that gane on a run of six straight wins.

I felt we matched them all over the park and while we’re obviously keen to get back on the winning trail, we’ll take the point and move on.

It has given us a chance to hit

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the re-set now and can hopefully serve as a platform for us to kick on again from here.

The Brandywell has been a difficult place for visiting teams to come, especially over the past ten months, and we want to make sure that remains the case going forward.

Games between Derry and Dundalk have usually been tense, entertaining affairs down through the years and they will no doubt come here this weekend looking to kickstart their own season.

That is something we have to be ready for, because like every team in this division they have some very good players who can cause you problems.

Thankfully there have been very few occasions when we’ve left the Brandywell as disappointed as we did last time.

There has always been a great connection between the players and the supporters of the club and we’re determined to do everything we can to send our supporters home with something to smile about this evening.

Enjoy the game!

Ruaidhrí Higgins, Manager

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DERRY CITY VS SUNDERLAND 1986 Derry had already played preseason friendlies against Ratoath Harps and Limerick before English Second Division club Sunderland came to the Brandywell on Saturday 2nd August 1986. The game had a 7-00 p.m. kick off. Admission prices were £2-50/£1-25 for the Stand and £1-50/75p for the Ground. The attendance was 7,000.

The visitors had finished in eighteenth spot in the previous season’s Second Division playing in front of an average home attendance of 16,000. The ‘Black Cats’ had played Linfield the previous Thursday evening recording a one nil victory at Windsor Park.

The visitors were to face a sterner task against the Candystripes and the game was hotly contested. Although City set their stall out to contain their opponents leaving Alexandre Kristic up front on his own the first opportunities

By Francie McCauley came Derry’s way through Kristic and John Cunningham. The team from Wearside’s only clear-cut scoring chance of the entire game came midway through the first half but a brilliant save from Stuart Roberts from a Frank Gray header kept the score level.

City played with more belief going forward after the break with Roberts comfortably dealing with matters at the other end.

Kristic forced Bolder in the Sunderland net into a good save on the hour mark. Twelve minutes later Alan Harrison broke from defence, slipped the ball to Kevin Mahon who headed towards goal before being brought down in the box by George Burley. Kristic, the Yugoslav born striker, stepped up to the spot and thundered the ball past Bolder and into the back of the net. There was to be no Sunderland fight back and Derry ran out deserving winners.

The programme for the match consisted of twenty pages but there was no price indicated on the front cover.

There was certainly plenty of reading material with only two pages of adverts. The inside front cover had a list of City’s honours and club personnel including members of the Programme Committee. Manager Noel King gave an update on pre-season preparations. This was fol-

lowed by a page on Sunderland (followed later by Sunderland’s honours) and another on their manager Lawrie Mc Menemy.

A two-page article reflected on Sunderland’s historic FA Cup final win over Leeds United in May 1973. There were then head and shoulder photos of four Sunderland players and the team lists. The centre pages were given over to John ‘Jobby’ Crossan’s time on Wearside and also his international career with a photo of him and Jim Mc Laughlin.

Next was a photo of the !986 FAI Shield winners and information on how to pick up your match programme during the coming season (there had been some complaints!!). We then had Derry’s fixtures listed, a ‘Spotlight on the Supporter’ who was Patrick Moore and finally a Half-Time Quiz.

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BIG MONEY! In April last year Premier League clubs across the water voted to voluntarily ban shirt sponsorship by betting companies from the start of the 2026/27 season. This was to avoid Government legislation banning gambling advertising completely. At the moment the top League have 40% of their members having deals for shirts with a gambling companies. Shirt sponsorship by betting companies in this season’s Premier League extends to 8 teams with Financial Services accounting for 5 teams. Of the remaining 7, 2 feature airlines on their shirts while 5 have a E- Commerce/ car retailer, Energy, Entertainment, Software & Technology companies displayed. The League stands as the only top five European one to have this many associated with the gambling market France, Germany & Italy don’t have a lot and La Liga In Spain

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Sean McGillan

banned the practice at the start of the 2020/21 season.

Their clubs have moved mainly to using financial services companies to generate the loss of income. In our own Premier League only one club Dundalk has recently linked up with the on line casino, sports betting & on line poker company 888.

However infant & youth tops won’t feature the ad. The company sponsored Shamrock Rovers in the past but many Hoops’ fans were not happy and they have moved on this season to partner a Danish work ware company. Shirt sponsorship goes back to 1976 when Kettering Town were sponsored by a local tyre company. They were fined by the FA and ordered to remove the name of the business from their jerseys! In the early 1980s issues arose when a match between Aston Villa and Brighton was cancelled as both teams refused to play without their sponsors’ name on their shirts.

Newcastle and Bolton were fined £1000 for wearing sponsorship on their shirts in FA Cup games in January 1981.

Then a month later Nottingham Forest were fined £7000

by UEFA. The Magpies were in the wars again in 2018 when they were fined £7500 for a breach of the regulations for allowing their betting company sponsor’s name on their under 18 team’s shirts. Prior to that their previous sponsor for 4 years, Wonga, ( a money lending company) found it was not a popular choice by many supporters in the North East.

The leader of the City Council felt the deal represented “ a profit at any price” culture at the club with possible social consequences. The Company ceased trading in August 2018.

Today shirt sponsorship is still big money with 6 clubs, Arsenal, Liverpool, Chelsea , Manchester United, Manchester City & Tottenham accounting for an total annual income of £ 286 million. Surprisingly the same clubs pull in £328 million for kit sponsorship !

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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 Shelbourne

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Sligo Rovers

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Shamrock Rvrs

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DERRY CITY

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St. Pat’s Athletic

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Bohemians

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Galway United

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Waterford

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Drogheda Utd

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Dundalk

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Last Round’s Results: MONDAY 1st APRIL St Pat’s Athletic 3-0 Sligo Rovers Shelbourne 0-0 DERRY CITY Dundalk 0-0 Drogheda United Galway Utd 0-2 Bohemians Waterford 1-2 Shamrock Rovers

NEXT HOME GAME:

This Round’s Fixtures: FRIDAY 5th APRIL St Pat’s Athl v Shamrock Rvrs DERRY CITY v Dundalk Bohemians v Waterford Drogheda Utd v Shelbourne SATURDAY 6th APRIL Sligo Rovers v Galway United

Derry City vs Shamrock Rovers Friday 19th April, 7.45pm

DERRY CITY MONTHLY DRAW Derry City’s Luke O’Donnell drawing the winning numbers for March’s monthly draw this week.

1st prize of £850: No.516 Caroline Horan 2nd prize of £300: No.408 Paddy McDermott Have you joined the Derry City FC Monthly Draw yet?

Find out how at the link: https://www.derrycityfc.net/ monthly-draw/

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LAST TWO GAMES...

DERRY CITY 0 - 1 GALWAY UNITED: It wasn’t a very Good Friday for Derry City last week. A bad performance was matched with a terrible score line as Galway United finished the game as 1-0 winners thanks to a Stephen Walsh goal.

SHELBOURNE 0 - 0 DERRY CITY: Derry travelled to Tolka Park on Monday night to visit top of the table Shelbourne for the first time this season and came away with a point after a 0-0 draw.

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C IS FOR CHILDHOOD...

Who were your favourite team as a boy and what got you into them?

SEAN PATTON

My favourite team was always Liverpool. My dad got me into them when I was younger just, to fell into it from there.

I IS FOR IDOL...

Which footballer did you idolise as a boy?

I always liked watching Luis Suarez at Liverpool!

D IS FOR DRESS SENSE...

Which Derry City team mate has the worst fashion sense?

All the boys have got good drip to be fair! None are too bad!

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?

Tough one! I don’t know! None of the team mates are that annoying to be honest! They’re all good lads!

B IS FOR BOX...

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

I’ve watched a few shows, but I’d say my favourite of all time would be Prison Break.

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

I like a bit of techno so I would play that!

F IS FOR FUNNY...

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

The funniest thing I’ve seen in football would be the time when Tiernan McGinty got nutmegged!

G IS FOR GOAL...

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

Probably my goal for Ireland against Slovakia recently.

Mostly because it’s the most meaningful to me.

H IS FOR HOLIDAY...

What is your favourite holiday destination? Or where would you like to go no expense spared?

My favourite holiday destination would be Dubai.

J IS FOR JOKER...

Who is the biggest practical joker in the team?

I’d have to say Ciaron Coll for that one! He’s hilarious!

K IS FOR KIT...

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

I like the retro grey and red Liverpool kit.

L IS FOR LIFE AFTER PLAYING...

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

Hopefully it’s a long way off yet! But yeah, I’d love to do coaching or something like that maybe.

M IS FOR MEMENTO...

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

I’d probably say the medal I won winning the Ulster final

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with St Eunans.

N IS FOR NEXT BIG

It would have to be Patrick McEleney!

THE TIME...

THING...

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

Nothing too exciting. Just watching movies or listening to music really.

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

I think Luke O’Donnell is a great player. He could well have what it takes to impress at clubs in England.

X IS FOR EXCHANGE...

O IS FOR OPPOSITION...

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

As a Donegal man, I always look forward to playing Finn Harps every year! At any age group as well!

P IS FOR PASSTIME...

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

Nothing special, just going to the gym, going to the cinema or playing pool with mates.

W IS FOR WHILE AWAY

U IS FOR UNPARALLELED...

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

Best player I played against would be Lamine Yamal. He plays for Barcelona. I played against him at youth international level against Spain and he was unreal in the game.

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

I would change places with Conor McGregor just to experience the lifestyle with all that money!

Q IS FOR QUIZ...

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

Tiernan McGinty!

R IS FOR RESULT...

Which result meant the most to you in your career?

I’d say the time we beat Shamrock Rovers 3-2 with Derry City U17s.

S IS FOR SKILLS...

Who has the best skills in the team?

Patch! 100 percent!

T IS FOR TEAM MATES...

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

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Y IS FOR YOUTH...

V IS FOR VEHICLE...

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

I drive an Audi A3 now and on Premiership wages, I’d probably drive a Ranger Rover Defender or something.

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

I started my youth career at Drumkeen United, and I was always a striker from day one.

Z IS FOR ZERO CHANCE...

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

Don’t think I could ever play for Rangers!

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TONIGHT’S SQUADS DERRY CITY F.C.

DUNDALK F.C.

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 - ROSS MUNRO 2 - ARCHIE DAVIES 3 - JAMIE WALKER 4 - ANDY BOYLE 5 - LOUIE ANNESLEY 6 - KOEN OOSTENBRINK 7 - DARYL HORGAN 8 - ROBBIE BENSON 9 - JAMIE GULLAN 10 - ROBBIE MAHON 11 - RYAN O’KANE 12 - GEORGE SHELVEY 13 - ZAK JOHNSON 14 - CAMERON ELLIOTT 15 - MAYOWA ANIMASAHUN 16 - HAYDEN MULLER 17 - DARA KEANE 18 - SCOTT HIGH 20 - LUKE MULLIGAN 21 - PAUL DOYLE 22 - SAM DURRANT 23 - JOHN MOUNTNEY 24 - EOIN KENNY 25 - SEAN MOLLOY 28 - SEAN KEOGH 29 - CIARAN MCGUCKIN 30 - ZAK BRADSHAW

Manager: RUAIDHRÍ HIGGINS

Manager: STEPHEN O’DONNELL

Tonight’s Match Sponsors: 21/23 Clarendon Street Tel: +44 (0) 28 7126 1020 E: city@mooreni.co.uk

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

CITY CUBS CORNER 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!!

SHIRT NUMBER MATHS CHALLENGE

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

SPOT THE DIFFERENCE

Can you spot the FIVE differences between the two photos?

ANSWERS: SHIRT NUMBER MATHS: Ben Doherty (14) + Brian Maher (1) - Mark Connolly (6) = Pat Hoban (9) SPOT THE DIFFERENCE: 1) Wooden post has appeared on the left; 2) Ball has disappeared; 3) Stripe has disappeared on shorts; 4) Shelbourne player on the right has disappeared; 5) Bottles have appeared on the right

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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 Stepping up to the Fanzone podium tonight is long time Derry City supporter, Brian McGeehan.

Brian has some interesting takes on the fanzone questions, so sit back, have a read and let the debates begin!!

Why? Paddy was as good if not better when at Rovers. Unreal. He scored that wonder goal at the Brandywell. When he lobbed the ball over our left back ran on to it and smashed it into top right corner.

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

Maginn Park, Buncrana! Naw really, it would be Parc de Prince in Paris What goal sticks out in your mind?

Kevin Deery’s goal in 2006 in Fir Park against Gretna!

Name: Brian McGeehan How long have you been supporting Derry City?

Too long lol Where do you sit in the Brandywell?

Mark Farren in recent seasons.

Getting old! Block K Southend in the glory days!

Why? Probably because it was thee most perfect strike of a ball you’re ever likely to see!

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

GK - David Forde Right Back - Eddie McCallion Centre Back - Darren Kelly Centre Back - Stuart Gauld Left Back - James McClean Def Midfield - Barry Molloy Att Midfield - Patrick McEleney Left Wing - Paddy McCourt Right Wing - Felix Healy Striker - Mark Farren Striker - Liam Coyle SUBS: Paul Curran, Alex Kristic, Ciaran Martyn Best manager you’ve seen at Derry City?

Jim McLaughlin Favourite half time snack?

Battered sausage. (Bought by Tommy!)

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

The return of the auld tuck shop at the back of the stand!

Best Player you’ve seen playing for the Candystripes?

My mucker Paddy McCourt Why? For all the reasons that makes football the beautiful game!

Best opposition player you’ve seen play?

Oh. Now. I would say as above, Paddy McCourt when he played for Rovers!

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AWAY DAYS: DROGHEDA UTD (FRIDAY 12TH APRIL)

By Joseph & Leo McGeehan

Ground: Drogheda United FC, Windmill Road, Drogheda, County Louth Directions: Follow the M1 South from Dundalk. At Junction 10 turn left onto the N51, then at the roundabout turn right onto the R132 and head into the north suburbs of Drogheda. On reaching the Mother Hughes pub turn right into Windmill Road. The ground is up on the left.

Parking: All Derry supporters can park their cars at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital Car Park, Crosslanes, this Friday while attending the game, for a cost of just €3. Supporter buses can also park here during the game, with the price being €10 per bus.

Please note this payment is cash only. The Hospital Car park is only 2 minutes’ walk from the ground.

Visiting Fans: Visiting fans are allocated the covered terrace on the Windmill Road side. This is accessed through the Clubhouse Car Park entrance. As the stand is situated in the corner of the ground it offers a penalty box view across pitch, and being separated from Drogheda’s more vocal home supporters on the west terrace it can feel a little bit isolated. Having said that the low roof offers excellent acoustics and an away following of 200 plus can get a good atmosphere going.

Unfortunately, it would appear visiting fans are not offered anywhere to sit, although the seated Main Stand is right beside the away enclosure.

Ticket Prices: Drogheda away tickets must be bought in advance - Ticket prices are as follows:

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Adults: Students & OAP’s: Kids Under 12:

€15 €10 €5

Programmes: Match programmes are on sale from sellers at every game just before you go through the turnstiles. They are priced at €4.

Food/Drink: There is a variety of food & beverages options in United Park on Friday nights, with burgers, fries, hot dogs and drinks all available for purchase from the catering company located under the Main Stand beside the away section. From previous visits, the quality is not great and very expensive.

Bars: We would recommend that pre-match beverages be had next door to the ground at The Windmill House, where all Derry fans where they can relax after their long journey down to Louth before the game kicks off on Friday.

Pubs near United Park that are recommended include Mother Hughes which is five minutes’ walk away and Gleesons which is between the ground and the town centre.

In town, The Grey Goose and JB’s Bar on West Street are very friendly, with a good variety of beers and spirits.

History: The famous town of Drogheda is situated on Ireland’s east coast between Dublin and Dundalk, which is in the Boyne Valley between County Louth and County Meath. The local professional football team is Drogheda United, based just outside the town centre at the small, but homely United Park, also referred to as Hunky Dory’s or Weavers Park through a former sponsorship deal.

With United Park being a narrow and tight venue, it has the potential to have a decent atmosphere depending on the opposition.

The club have their own ‘ultras’ group of maybe 50-100, mainly younger lads who congregate in the seated terrace across from the Main Stand. They have their own flags and banners, and start up most, if not all the chants. Along with having their own drum, it adds to the atmosphere and tends to get a reaction from the opposition support.

United Park is an intriguing, but

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AWAY DAYS: DROGHEDA UNIYED continued... lovable mismatch of stands and terracing, situated on the corner of a busy road, next to a housing estate, a GAA venue and across from a local hospital. There are two entrances to the ground, at the top of Windmill Road and a slightly longer walk round the other side to Cross Lane. At the former it gives you access to the Main Stand (home fans) and to the covered away terrace.

Behind both goals there is a large net to catch any stray footballs during the game and this is due to the houses and main road situated behind both respectively.

Positive Features: United Park is another old ground with has not changed much since our first ever visit in a competitive LOI game back in November 1985. It is a tight pitch and because you

are up close to the players it does create a good atmosphere. We have enjoyed a very mixed bag of results going back over the years at the venue. Even in seasons we were up flying at the top of the league, we have come unstuck at this venue quite a few times. In 1990, the great treble side lost 0-2 very unexpectedly here in January 1990, with our hosts bottom of the league at the time. In 2002, we enjoyed an excellent cup 1st round 3-1 win on our way to lifting the cup that season.

In recent years, games have always been very tight with a 1-0 win (Adam O’Reilly) and a 0-0 draw last season, while in 2022 we drew both games 1-1 & 1-1. In 2021, we won the first game 2-1 (two Will Patching long distance strikes), lost the second game 0-1, but battled through in the FAI

Cup 1st Round on penalties after a 96th minute penalty from Danny Lafferty tied the game 1-1; before Nathan Gartside saved two penalties and Ewan Mclaughlin scored the decisive spot-kick in the shoot-out.

Negative Features: Our record here is not great over the years, the tight pitch, and the proximity of fans to the players makes it a very difficult venue to play at.

Shamrock Rovers have also struggled at this venue over the last 4-5 seasons.

Ratings: Atmosphere: 8/10 Accessibility: 7.5/10 Parking: 9/10 Facilities: 3/10 Historical Record: 4.5/10 Overall: 6.5/10

RYAN MCBRIDE FOUNDATION This is a Night At The Races like you’ve never seen before!

The Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Cllr Patricia Logue, has named the Foyle Hospice and the Ryan McBride Foundation as her chosen Mayor’s Charities and is hosting an event at the Guildhall in aid of both brilliant causes.

You can still sponsor a horse, name a horse, or ride the horse yourself... (and yes, you read that right!)

As I say, this is a night at the races like never before!

Saturday 13th of April at the Guildhall, Tickets £10, available from the Mayor’s Office or any member of the Ryan McBride Foundation committee.

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CANDYSTRIPES & LILYWHITES

By Pól O’Hare (In Memory Of Eddie O’Hare)

In the past decade or so, there have been a number of players who made the move from Derry City to Dundalk, or vice-versa.

Seven players in the current City squad have played for the Louth side, a few of whom were key to the Lilywhite’s golden era in the second half of the 2010s.

Standout performers were Derry men Michael Duffy and Patrick McEleney, whilst Pat Hoban is Dundalk’s all-time leading goal scorer. Former Derry City manager Stephen Kenny won four titles and two FAI Cups at the helm in Oriel Park between 2012 and 2018, whilst current Derry boss Ruaidhrí Higgins won the 2014 Premier Division as a Dundalk player too. I’m going to have a look at these players and see what they got up to throughout their careers.

Michael Duffy: A product of Derry City’s youth academy, Michael Duffy broke into the first team at the Brandywell as an exciting winger back in 2012. After goals in the Europa League, and a hat-trick on his 20th birthday, Duffy signed for Celtic in 2015 before joining Alloa Athletic that summer on loan. An equaliser against Rangers and a winner against Hibernian saw him loaned to Dundee in 2016. Duffy was back in Ireland with Dundalk ahead of the 2017 season, where he won eight trophies and the PFAI Players Player of the Year award in 2018. He featured in the Europa League group stages in 2020 and rejoined Derry ahead of the 2021 campaign, where he is adding to his goal tally of 33 in 135 games as a Candystripe.

Pat Hoban: A man who needs no introduction, Pat Hoban can currently call himself the top scorer in the 2024 Premier Division having already bagged six goals this season. With more than 150 goals across two spells at Dundalk, Hoban is the club’s all-time leading goal scorer, breaking the record held by Joey Donnelly since 1943. Starting out at Mervue United, Hoban lined out for Oxford United, Stevenage, Grimsby Town and Mansfield Town before joining Dundalk in 2017. Hoban has won the League of Ireland golden boot on three occasions and, now 32, City signed the striker for €30,000 ahead of the 2024 campaign. He became the first player since Owen Da Gama to score six in his first five Derry appearances.

Patrick McEleney: After coming through the ranks at Foyle Harps, Patrick McEleney joined Sunderland in 2008. After two years in the youth teams at the Stadium of Light, ‘Fats’ was brought home to Derry by Stephen Kenny ahead of the 2010 campaign. After winning the First Division in 2010 and FAI Cup in 2012, and despite interest from England, Kenny brought McEleney to Dundalk ahead of the 2016 season. Ten trophies, including three Premier Division titles and an inclusion in the 2016 PFAI Team of the Year followed, either side of a nine game spell at Oldham Athletic in England. The midfielder also played a part in both of Dundalk’s Europa League campaigns in 2016 and 2020, before being brought back to the Brandywell ahead of

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the 2022 campaign. McEleney is closing in on 300 appearances in red and white and has added the 2022 FAI Cup to collection.

Cameron Dummigan: Lurgan born defensive midfielder Cameron Dummigan made his breakthrough at Oldham Athletic in 2015-16, on-loan from Burnley.

He was signed permanently at the end of the season and went on to make 74 appearances in Leagues One and Two, before signing for Dundalk in 2019.

Dummigan won the domestic double at Dundalk in 2019 and featured in the Europa League Group Stages in 2020 before making the move north to Derry in 2022. He has since been included in the PFAI Team of the Year in 2022 and won the FAI Cup for the second time in his career.

Will Patching: Manchester City youth prospect Will Patching came through the ranks alongside Jadon Sancho, Brahim Díaz and City teammate Sadou Diallo before moving to Notts County in search of game time in 2018.

After a year in Nottingham,

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CANDYSTRIPES & LILYWHITES: PLAYED FOR BOTH continued...

Patching joined Dundalk ahead of the 2020 season before making an initial loan move to Derry City in 2021. Six goals in sixteen games led Ruaidhrí Higgins to sign the midfielder permanently ahead of the 2022 campaign.

Patching is just shy of a century of appearances in red and white and has scored 28 times.

Mark Connolly: City centre back Mark Connolly cost Bolton Wanderers £1m back in 2010 but failed to break into the senior team. He made around 175 appearances for Crawley Town between 2012 and 2019, either side of a two year spell at Kilmarnock.

Dundee United swooped for the Clones man in January 2019, where he played with current Derry City winger Paul McMullan. After a loan at Dunfermline Athletic, Connolly joined Dundalk on loan in 2022. He scored his only goal for the Lilywhites against Derry in a 2-2 draw before being recalled by Dundee United in July. City agreed an undisclosed fee to bring the defender to the Brandywell, where he scored on his debut against Oliver Bond Celtic and has been an ever present in the backline since.

Daniel Kelly: Former Bohemians winger Dan Kelly joined Derry City ahead of the 2024 season after five seasons with Dundalk.

He won the league, FAI Cup and League Cup at Oriel Park and scored the winner against KÍ Klaksvík to send Dundalk into the 2020/21 Europa League group stages. He’s still waiting for his fist Derry City goal, but the Dublin-born wide man’s goal involvement ratio at Dundalk of roughly

one in three hints that it’s only a matter of time before Kelly finds himself on the scoresheet.

Ruaidhrí Higgins: City manager Ruaidhrí Higgins was central to Stephen Kenny’s midfield in Dundalk’s 2014 domestic double winning squad after joining from Derry in 2013. The Limavady man made 289 appearances for the Candystripes between 2004 and 2013, scoring four goals on the way to winning five League Cups and two FAI Cups. After a spell at Coleraine, Higgins retired in 2016 and took up coaching roles with Dundalk and the Republic of Ireland national team before being named Derry City manager in April 2021. After winning the FAI Cup in 2022 and President’s Cup in 2023, Higgins will be looking to better City’s back-to-back second place finishes in the league.

Dean Jarvis: Coming through at Ballymoor, before joining Derry City then Aberdeen, left back Dean Jarvis made one appearance at Pittodrie before signing for Institute in 2011. After trials at York City, Jarvis made the move back to the Candystripes in the summer of 2013, going on to make 148 appearances and netting six goals. One of the most promising full backs in the league, Jarvis made the move to Louth in January 2018 and won the league title in both of his two seasons with Dundalk. Now 31, Jarvis is in his second season with Coleraine after winning the Country Antrim Shield in 2021 and 2022 with Larne.

Greg Sloggett: Signed from UCD, midfielder Greg Sloggett

impressed in Declan Devine’s new-look Derry City midfield during the 2019 campaign. Then champions Dundalk signed the Dubliner in 2020, where Sloggett would eventually claim the captain’s armband and rack up more than 100 appearances in three seasons. Despite interest from clubs north and south of the border upon the expiry of his contract, the 27 year old recently signed for Cheltenham Town in League One.

Niclas Vemmelund: A surprise signing ahead of the 2016 campaign, Derry City brought Denmark youth international Niclas Vemmelund to Ireland to strengthen the defence. After coming through the ranks at FC Fyn, Vemmelund had spells at Odense, Stjarnan, Marienlyst and Brommapojkarna, making just shy of 70 senior appearances before signing for the Candystripes aged 23. Dundalk snapped up the defender after shining in City’s backline. He won the League Cup with the Lilywhites in 2017 before signing for Middelfart in 2018. Vemmelund retired in July 2021, aged 29.

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This week... Derry City fan... LUKE DOHERTY 1. Harry Kane is the top scorer in the Bundesliga this season, but who is in second place?

4.

2. How many of the Derry City squad are former Dundalk players?

3. The longest time span that one player has spent at one single Premiership club is 24 years, but who was the player?

4. Name the former Nottingham Forrest player pictured on the right?

5. Former Rangers and Arsenal star Giovanni van Bron-

5. ckhorst started and ended his career at which club?

6. Which Scottish club did Dundalk manager Stephen O’Donnell once play for?

7. Who was the last player to leave Derry City and sign for Dundalk?

8. Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah and which Arsenal player are the only Egyptian players currently playing in the Premier League?

LUKE’S ANSWERS: 1) I have no idea, don’t really follow it; 2) Trying to count them... Six; 3) At one club? Has to be Ryan Giggs?; 4) Honestly can’t remember!; 5) Feyenoord?; 6) Dunfermline; 7) Vemmelund?; 8) No idea! Pass!

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

ANSWERS: 1) Serhou Guirassy (VfB Stuttgart); 2) Seven 3) Ryan Giggs; 4) Djimi Traore; 5) Feyenoord; 6) Falkirk; 7) Peter Cherrie; 8) Mohamed Elneny

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BE THE CHALLENGER! CONTACT ANDREW@DERRYCITYFC.NET

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