CityView Vol-40 No-7 - Derry City vs St Patrick's Athletic - Monday 22nd April

DERRY CITY F.C. v ST PATRICK’S ATHLETIC F.C. LEAGUE OF IRELAND MEN’S PREMIER DIVISION MONDAY 22nd APRIL 2024 | 7.45pm Vol. 40 - No. 07

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Welcome to...

ST PATRICK’S ATHLETIC

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 second time in 4 days!

Tonight we welcome back Jon Daly along with the officials, players and supporters of St Patrick’s Athletic.

There’s a rich history between the two clubs, something you’ll read about later in the programme.

Tonight’s match is part of Round 24 in the league fixture list. Strange because Friday night was round 11! But tonight’s game was brought forward due to European competition later in the season.

St Pat’s haven’t won at the Brandywell since October 2019 with a 3-1 win. Chris Forrester and James Doona x2 with their goals that night. David Parkhouse with

Derry’s. There’s been 8 visits up north since then with 3 draws and 5 Derry City wins. The most recent being back in March when Pat Hoban and a late 92nd minute Danny Mullen goal took the 3 points after Ruairi Keating put the visitors in front.

We’ll hope for a decent game tonight though after a tough test on Friday night, and hopefully we can get back to winning ways!

Enjoy the game!

TONIGHT’S MATCH OFFICIALS: Referee: KEVIN O’SULLIVAN

Assistant 1: Fintan Butler |Assistant 2: Chris Campbell Fourth Official: Oliver Moran

TONIGHT’S MATCH SPONSOR:

PLEASE SUPPORT ALL OUR SPONSORS

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MESSAGE FROM THE MANAGER

I’d like to extend a warm welcome to Jon Daly and the players, staff and supporters of St Patrick’s Athletic ahead of this evening’s game.

We’re in the middle of another very busy schedule and you’ll have to forgive me that demands have meant I’ve had to write tonight’s welcome even before Friday’s game against Shamrock Rovers.

It’s good that clubs who have qualified for European competition are able to get ahead of our domestic schedule so that we can focus on Europe when the time comes.

What it also means however is that by the time we play Sligo Rovers on 4 July, we’ll have completed 25 of our 36 league games, although we’ll obviously be looking to prolong our European and FAI cup journeys well beyond then too.

Our visitors tonight will have similar thoughts and it’s been a decent few weeks for them ahead of their weekend match at home to Waterford.

Impressive back-to-back wins over Sligo and Shamrock Rovers were sandwiched between away draws in Louth against Drogheda and Dundalk, so there’s no doubt thst

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St Pats are coming here in decent nick.

I feel we’re definitely getting stronger ourselves, and with our injury list finally starting to shorten, I’m confident you’ll see a side who can go toe-to-toe with anyone in the country.

The players have continued to work hard, and while I don’t like singling anyone out, it would be remiss of me not to acknowledge the fact that Will Patching made his 100th appearance for Derry City on Friday night.

of the top players not just at Derry City, but in the league in general.

I know how much he loves playing for this club and I know as well how much our supporters appreciate him and I’ll be delighted if he’s here for another 100 and beyond.

Let’s hope we can match that occasion with a big performance and a valuable three points tonight.

Enjoy the game

Everyone knows how highly I rate Will and he has been immense for us this season no matter what role he was asked to play.

In my three years in this job he is right up there as one

Ruaidhrí Higgins, Manager

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DERRY CITY VS IRISH OLYMPIC XI 1986 On Sunday 21st September 1986, under manager Jim Mc Laughlin, the Ireland Olympic team came to the Brandywell for a friendly match in preparation for their group games at the qualifying stage for the 1988 Olympic Games in Seoul, South Korea. Senior team manager Jack Charlton also attended.

Included in the Irish squad was City defender Alan Harrison.

A good attendance of 5,000 spectators were to witness a disappointing encounter.

Both teams started tentatively.

Dessie O’Gorman had to be replaced on the Irish side having sustained a nasty leg gash in the opening minutes. Owen Da Gama, on his return to the Brandywell, had an effort blocked by Harrison after thirteen minutes. Then shots from Da Gama and Jim Mc Kechnie went close.

Mc Kechnie wasn’t to see out the half as he was sent off on

By Francie McCauley forty minutes for retaliation. Having been fouled

by Brady he kicked out at the full back as he lay on the ground.

After the break the Olympic side lacked ideas around the box and Derry produced chances which could have won them the game. Alex Kristic did have the ball in the net but he was given offside. Both teams finished up with ten men, the international team lost Byrne with an injury with fifteen minutes remaining but they had already used all their subs.

Ireland were to finish fourth in their group which also comprised Sweden, Hungary, Spain and France. They won one and drew three of their eight matches with a goal difference of just minus two. Alan Harrison and Noel King were to feature in a couple of the matches.

A twenty-page programme costing 50p was available.

A page listed City’s honours and Committee. There were messages of welcome from club chairman James Mc Cauley and manager Noel King. Two pages were devoted to pen portraits of the Olympic squad and two pages from Michael O’Donnell about Jim Mc Laughlin.

Club Secretary Seamus Hegarty provided an update on Owen da Gama’s return to the Candystripes. Middle pages were taken up with

the team line ups and Supporters’ Clubs’ News (Shantallow were advertising a ‘Weekend Soccer Special’ trip to the Cobh Ramblers match - Saturday lunch, Bed & Breakfast, Sunday evening meal (3 courses) + Match Ticket. All for £25.)

There was a football crossword, info on the ballboys who were from Pennyburn Primary School, news from the Development Organisation and the Spotlight on the Supporter featured Tony Brown who was a member of the First Waterside Supporters’ Club. Oh, and by the way, Linda Rigney had picked up £108 in the Golden Goal.

The programme finished with Reserve Team fixtures, Bits & Pieces from Foyleman and a Half Time Quiz. The back page had a Programme of Events for the 1986 City Sports Festival starting in September.

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NICKNAMES I was recently reading on Facebook that Ross County triumphed over Rangers for the first time in 22 outings. In the short story it mentioned the nick name of the team from Dingwall as the Staggies. So I thought it appropriate to find out where this particular label originated. Coming from the Highlands of Scotland their club badge shows a Caberfeidh, Scotch Gaelic for a Stag’s Head. This encouraged me to have a look at other clubs north & south of the English Border to see if I could find any unusual “sobriquets“ for the countless teams in the leagues there. Staying up North the next nickname is fairly self explanatory- Partick Thistle, just a few miles outside Glasgow, are called the Jags! The word jag or jaggie means to prick (eg your finger) which could happen if you handle a thistle. The Steelmen and the Dossers are 2 names applied to Motherwell, a steel works town in Lanark-

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Sean McGillan

shire some miles south east of Glasgow. Why the Dossers? - it is said that this unofficial title could be a reference to the workers who used to sleep on the night shift ! Moving south to England & Wales there are some interesting choices - 2 teams are known as the Robins, one in England & the other in Wales. The latter has a connection with our Candystripes - they have just won promotion with James McClean at the helm. Wrexham were originally called the Robins but it wasn’t after the familiar wee visitor to our gardens but to a Secretary & Manager whose name was Ted Robinson. Then in 2001/02 they were branded the “Red Dragons.”

Their English counterparts are Swindon Town founded in 1879. Their shirts were changed from a maroon colour to the lighter shade of red at the start of the 1902/03 season and in the first programme they were called the

robins after robin redbreast!

Two neighbouring clubs on the coast of NE England have a nautical theme to their names - Fleetwood Town are the Cod Army originally The Fishermen and Morecambe became The Shrimps because of the local popularity of their special sea food. Finally two sides known as the Saddlers and the Cobblers are associated with the leather industry established in their towns - Walsall founded in 1888 is widely known for it saddle making while Northampton (founded 1897) became famous for its manufacture of shoes & other leather goods.

Football of course is the most popular sport in the world and the ball itself was made of stitched leather panels over a rubber bladder. Today the synthetic balls made in the 1980s are rounder with the technique of thermal bonding & of course more accurate.

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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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Bohemians

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Shamrock Rvrs

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DERRY CITY

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St. Pat’s Athletic

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Galway United

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Sligo Rovers

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Waterford

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Drogheda Utd

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Dundalk

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Last Round’s Results: FRIDAY 19th APRIL St Pat’s Athl 1-1 Waterford DERRY CITY 1-3 Shamrock Rvrs Bohemians 1-0 Drogheda Utd Galway United 1-0 Shelbourne Sligo Rovers 1-1 Dundalk

NEXT HOME GAME:

This Round’s Fixtures: MONDAY 22nd APRIL Shelbourne v Shamrock Rvrs DERRY CITY v St Pat’s Athl Sligo Rovers v Galway United

Derry City vs Shelbourne Monday 6th May, 7.45pm

DERRY CITY U15S ON INTERNATIONAL DUTY 2 - France 0 - Northern Ireland Northern Ireland U15s faced France in the first of their two friendlies at Clairefontaine on Friday afternoon.

City goalkeeper Cole Smyth completed the full ninety minutes, with Emmett Morrison coming on as a substitute.

A valuable experience for both players, well done lads!

More to come from these two!

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FRIDAY NIGHT’S GAME...

DERRY CITY 1 - 3 SHAMROCK ROVERS: A very disappointing night to forget for Derry City on Friday night. The first half showed promise with Derry hitting the post from McMullan, but the game was 0-0 at half time

DERRY CITY 1 - 3 SHAMROCK ROVERS: The second half started badly as Derry conceded three goals in 15mins which left an almost impossible task for them to get back into the game. There was to be a late goal by Pat Hoban, but it turned out to be merely a consolation.

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C IS FOR CHILDHOOD...

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

SAM TODD

I actually used to support a few! But my favourite was Man United and my dad supporting them probably made me support them.

there.

I IS FOR IDOL...

Which footballer did you idolise as a boy?

I always liked watching Cristiano Ronaldo!

D IS FOR DRESS SENSE...

Which Derry City team mate has the worst fashion sense?

Luke O’Donnell! Some of the clothes he wears are questionable!

A IS FOR ANNOYING...

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

I’m going to say Sadou, because he’d likely be sleeping the whole way! He’d be no company!

B IS FOR BOX...

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

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

E IS FOR ENTERTAINMENT...

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

Not sure, maybe something like Top Gun: Maverick.

F IS FOR FUNNY...

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

Sprinklers coming on during a game and someone trying to stop them by putting a wheelbarrow over the top of them!

Couldn’t help but laugh!

G IS FOR GOAL...

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

Going to say my first senior football Goal

H IS FOR HOLIDAY...

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

Went to Greece last year. My favourite holiday destination yet, so would defs go back

J IS FOR JOKER...

Who is the biggest practical joker in the team?

I’d have to say Ciaron Coll! He’s a funny fella!

K IS FOR KIT...

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

The blue Man united long sleeve 08/09 kit.

L IS FOR LIFE AFTER PLAYING...

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

Possibly! I’ll see what I’m like come the end of my career.

M IS FOR MEMENTO...

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

I’ve kept a jersey from every season that I’ve played so far

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tertained during away trips or overnights?

I just watch movies all day!

I’ll re-watch good ones too if needs be!

so I’ll probably keep doing that.

N IS FOR NEXT BIG THING...

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

I think Ronan Boyce could be in with a shout.

X IS FOR EXCHANGE...

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

I would change places with Max Verstappen just to experience the F1 lifestyle!

O IS FOR OPPOSITION...

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

I wouldn’t have one in particular, I look forward to every game really!

P IS FOR PASSTIME...

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

Not really, but after watching the Masters for the first time this year I’m tempted to take up the golf!

U IS FOR UNPARALLELED...

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

Before I came to Derry I’d have to say Will Patching as well!

Q IS FOR QUIZ...

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

Jordan McEneff!

Y IS FOR YOUTH...

R IS FOR RESULT...

Which result meant the most to you in your career?

Probably the 2022 promotion/ relegation play off win

S IS FOR SKILLS...

Who has the best skills in the team?

Ciaron Harkin has some mad skills in the locker!

T IS FOR TEAM MATES...

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

Since I’ve come to Derry I’d have to say Will Patching!

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V IS FOR VEHICLE...

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

Now I drive a Toyota Auris, and if I was in the Premiership it would be a Mercedes G wagon!

That’s a big upgrade!

W IS FOR WHILE AWAY THE TIME...

How do you keep yourself en-

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

I started my youth career at my local club Carndonagh FC and no, believe it or not I used to play left midfield and centre midfield!

Z IS FOR ZERO CHANCE...

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

Man City! If I were to support them I think there would be a few unhappy heads at my home house!

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TONIGHT’S SQUADS DERRY CITY F.C.

ST PATRICK’S ATHLETIC

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 - DANNY ROGERS 2 - KIERAN FREEMAN 3 - ANTHONY BRESLIN 4 - JOE REDMOND 5 - TOM GRIVOSTI 6 - JAMIE LENNON 7 - RUAIRÍ KEATING 8 - CHRIS FORRESTER 9 - MASON MELIA 10 - KIAN LEAVY 11 - JASON MCCLELLAND 12 - CIAN KAVANAGH 13 - MARCELO PITALUGA 14 - BRANDON KAVANAGH 15 - ARRAN PETTIFER 16 - AARON BOLGER 17 - ROMAL PALMER 18 - ALFIE TAYLOR 19 - ALEX NOLAN 20 - JAKE MULRANEY 21 - AXEL SJÖBERG 22 - CONOR KEELEY 23 - RYAN MCLAUGHLIN 24 - LUKE TURNER 28 - RHYS BARTLEY 29 - MATT BOYLAN

Manager: RUAIDHRÍ HIGGINS

Manager: JON DALY

Tonight’s Match Sponsors:

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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: Danny Mullan (21) + Patrick Hoban (9) - Michael Duffy (7) = Cameron Dummigan (23) SPOT THE DIFFERENCE: 1) Extra floodlight has appeared on the right; 2) Ball has disappeared; 3) Derry City crest has disappeared; 4) Shelbourne shirt sponsor has disappeared; 5) Number 17 has disappeared from shorts

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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 Regular readers of the Fanzone Section will know that not all contributors live in Derry and some, like tonight’s featured fan, aren’t even from Derry. Such is the lure of Derry City!

Fiachra O’Duibhinn is from Dublin but has been supporting Derry City since he was 10 years of age. Welcome to the Fanzone Fiachra!

Name: Fiachra Ó Duibhinn How long have you been supporting Derry City?

Since seeing the newly elected LOI side played at the old Milltown against Shamrock Rovers.

The colour and crowd had me hooked. I was 10 so 38 years.

Where do you sit in the Brandywell?

I don’t sadly. Live in Scotland but try to get over a few times a season mainly to Dublin games when visiting family.

Best Player you’ve seen playing for the Candystripes?

This is a hard one. So many, used to love Storky (Paul Carlyle) but I’d say that Paddy McCourt edges it.

Why? His skill and ability to light games up. His pass to Farren in that brilliant cup final win (4-3) is up there with the greats. Such vision and audacity.

Best opposition player you’ve seen play?

Jackie Jameson, Bohemians

Why? Similar to McCourt in that he seemed to play at a different pace but was effortlessly head and shoulders above everyone else on the pitch.

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

The new Lansdowne Road (Aviva Stadium) or domestically, the old Dalymount when we had the crowds.

What goal sticks out in your mind?

Already mentioned Farren’s cup final one so apart from all 4 in the second half V Gretna I’d have to say Alex Kristic’s diving header against Rovers at the RDS. Why? The brilliance of the goal itself and the fact that in a bad tempered game where both the team and us fans were subject to horrible abuse it lit the day up. Pascal crossed it in and Kristic’s full stretch diving header silenced the rowdy home fans.

Also the wee paddock of terracing meant we were virtually at eye level with the pitch. Brilliant Name your best Derry City team

(you can pick from any era) One to Eleven with Three subs Playing 4-3-3: GK - Dermot O’Neill LB - Pascal Vaudequin CB - Ryan McBride CB - Peter Hutton RB - Stuart Gauld, LM - Paddy McCourt, CM - Felix Healy, RM - Paul Doolin, FW - Liam Coyle, FW - Mark Farren, FW - Owen Da Gama Subs, Mick Neville, Storky and super sub Bugsy Cunningham Best manager you’ve seen at Derry City?

Has to be Jim McLaughlin. Kenny second.

Favourite half time snack?

Probably a chocolate bar or at the old Dalymount a pint of the black stuff.

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

Bring back the lads with the cans sitting up on the wall. Otherwise a more understanding policy on pyro sections and alcohol. Stewarding and policing around the LOI in general can be a bit O.T.T.

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AWAY DAYS: WATERFORD (FRIDAY 26TH APRIL)

By Joseph & Leo McGeehan

Ground: Waterford FC, Waterford Regional Sports Centre, Cork Road, Kingsmeadow, Waterford, County Waterford, X91 AE79.

Directions: Coming from the direction of Dublin (M9) - at the end of the M9, take the first exit onto the N9 towards Waterford. Continue along the N9 and the R448 and on reaching Waterford Railway Station on your left, take the second exit at the roundabout to cross the river towards the City Centre. Keep straight on this passing a Texaco Garage on your left and on reaching a junction with ‘Kebab Palace’ on your right bear left (second exit) onto Morrison’s Road. At the end of Morrison’s Road, you will reach a T-junction (Blue Jade is on the right) where you turn right onto Cannon Street. Take the first exit at the roundabout.

Continue down the hill at the second set of traffic lights turn left and at the next roundabout take the third exit onto the R680 Cork Road and the entrance to the RSC is just down on the left.

Parking: There is strictly no parking inside the stadium for away supporters. Parking can be found in the surrounding areas of the stadium along Cork Road and within some of the commercial carparks close to the ground.

Visiting Fans: Visiting fans are located in Blocks A + B of the New Stand in the RSC, and in the terrace

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section adjoining. The away supporter entrance is on the SuperValu side of the ground.

Away fans are housed on one side of the Tramore Road (New) Stand, where around 800 fans can be housed. This stand is shared with home supporters, which can make for a good atmosphere. The facilities within the stand are fine, however, the main drawback is that due to the athletics track fans are set well back from the pitch.

Ticket Prices: Waterford away tickets must be bought in advance - Ticket prices are as follows: Adults: €15 Students & OAP’s: €10 Kids Under 12: €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: Catering inside the ground are primarily in the form of some

mobile catering units serving the obligatory, burgers, hot dogs, and chips. On the nearby Retail Park there are several other eating outlets including, a McDonalds and Rockin’ Joes Diner, both located on Cork Road.

Bars: There isn’t a club house bar at the Stadium, nor any other pubs close by. There is the Norris Bar on Slievekeale Road about 15 minutes’ walk north of the stadium, but this is the main pub used by home fans.

So, either grab beer en route to the ground or else Waterford City Centre is about a 15-minute walk away, where there are plenty of pubs and bars to be found.

History: Primarily the Waterford Regional Sports Centre is a local authority owned athletics stadium, which has also been home to Waterford FC since it was opened in 1993, after they vacated their old Kilcohan Park

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AWAY DAYS: WATERFORD continued... ground. At that time the Regional Sports Centre Stadium had only one Main Stand on the Cork Road side of the stadium.

In 2009 a second stand was built on the opposite Tramore Road side. Currently, the ground has a capacity of 5,160.

The Main Cork Road Stand is an all-seated covered stand, that has a capacity of just under 1,300. Due to the presence of an eight-lane running track, plus long jump run and sand pit, it is set well back from the grass playing area.

Opposite is the Tramore Road side which has a capacity of 1,760 seats. It is longer in length than the Main Stand but is not as tall. The stadium has an unusual array of eight tall floodlights, which are grouped in four pairs, two of which are located on either side of the two stands. In 2017 the pitch was voted the best in the League of Ireland, the second time that it received that accolade in two years.

Positive Features: The RSC doesn’t feature as much as in our history as some of the older historic venues throughout the league. While it provides one of the best playing surfaces in the league, it suffers from a lack of atmosphere due to the running track around the pitch and the openness behind both goals. Despite this, it is a friendly ground to visit and always a good day out despite the long journey. Our record at the venue overall is not great, however.

Our last visit here was back in November 2021 when a Cam-

eron McJannet equaliser in the 93rd minute gave us a 2-2 draw.

Earlier in the season, Ronan Boyce scored an early goal to give us a narrow 1-0 win. During the Covid affected 2020 season, we lost 1-2 at the RSC in the early part of the season, Stephen Mallon with the city goal.

In 2019, we drew both games (2-2 & 1-1), while in 2018 we lost both games (0-4 & 1-2). Our last visit before 2019 was back in 2010 during our spell in the first division were we also lost both games (0-2 & 0-1).

Some memorable wins at the venue include a narrow 1-0 victory in 2006, when during the last week of the season we had to travel down on a rearranged Monday night game and in front of a small crowd, Mark Farren scored the winner deep into injury team to ensure the title race continued right to the last night of the season.

Back in November 2003, and very much forgotten about, but City had the very real threat of automatic relegation from the Premier Division hanging over us, until on the last game of the league season, until Ciaran

Martyn scored a 20th minute goal at the RSC to give us a 1-0 win. This ensured we avoided automatic relegation and instead went into a play-off semifinal against Limerick before we progressed to the final against Finn Harps and the epic 2nd leg victory at the Brandywell.

But make no mistake, we were very close to being relegated that season had it not been for Ciaran’s goal down at the RSC. Negative Features: Our record here is quite poor over the years, the lack of atmosphere due to the running track and vast open spaces behind the goals makes it a strange venue to play at. The long trip also doesn’t seem to help either, as our travelling support is normally small on the day.

Ratings: Atmosphere: 4/10 Accessibility: 8/10 Parking: 8/10 Facilities: 7/10 Historical Record: 3.5/10 Overall: 6/10

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DERRY VS ST PAT’S: A TRIP DOWN MEMORY LANE It’s only been seven weeks since Derry City last welcomed St. Patrick’s Athletic to the Brandywell and, because of some fixture reshuffling due to European involvement, the side from Inchicore make the journey back up north for the final time this campaign. It’s already the third Friday-Monday weekend of the season, as the race for top spot begins to really heat up.

I’m going to have a look at a few memorable ties between these the Candystripes and the Saints to get you in the mood for tonight’s game.

2 - Derry City 1 - St. Patrick’s Athletic 2024 Premier Division It was just the third game of the current season and, as the teams were getting ready to get back into the swing of League of Ireland action, the Candystripes played host to the 2023 FAI Cup winners. The first half wasn’t much to write home about, but Ruairi Keating’s strike just two minutes after the restart gave life to the game. Just shy of twenty minutes later, Pat Hoban found his second goal in red and white to get City level. Some swift attacking football led to Michael Duffy playing the ball into the box in the 92nd minute. Paul McMullan’s dummy gave Danny Mullen space to take a touch and stab into the corner top, handing the home

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By Pól O’Hare

side a valuable three points early in the campaign.

3 - Derry City 0 - St. Patrick’s Athletic 2023 Premier Division Goals from Will Patching, Jordan McEneff and current St. Pat’s midfielder Brandon Kavanagh ended the 2023 campaign on a high for the Candystripes. Ruaidhrí Higgins’ men consolidated second place in the table when they put three past the Inchicore side on the final day of last season. Avenging a 4-1 away loss earlier in the season, and a penalty shootout defeat in August, the Candystripes played some of their best football all year – dominating with 68% possession.

0 - St. Patrick’s Athletic 4 - Derry City 2022 Premier Division Another high scoring fixture between these two saw Derry

City come out on top in what was one of the Candystripes’ most impressive wins of the 2022 campaign. A Jamie McGonigle double, either side of goals from Matt Smith and Cameron Dummigan, saw the Candystripes hit St. Pat’s for four. It was Derry’s biggest win in Inchicore since a 3-0 win there in April 2009 and showed that Ruaidhrí Higgins’ side meant business, as they went on to win the FAI Cup that November.

1 - Derry City 0 - St. Patrick’s Athletic 2018 FAI Cup Second Round Prior to St. Pat’s penalty win over Derry in the FAI Cup in 2023, the two sides hadn’t faced each other in cup action since the second round in 2018, when Derry City came away 1-0 victors after a late Aidy Delap winner. City keeper Gerard Doherty stole the spotlight however, saving

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DERRY VS ST PATS: A TRIP DOWN MEMORY LANE continued... an Ian Turner penalty which would turn out to be the last kick of the game to lift the roof in the Brandywell. The Candystripes beat Blarney United 12-2 in the first round but fell to a quarter final defeat against Bohemians.

2 - St. Patrick’s Athletic 0 - Derry City 2014 FAI Cup Final The 2014 FAI Cup final saw City and Pat’s pitted against each other for the second cup final in just three seasons, with the Dublin club coming out on top. Christy Fagan, unsatisfied with just one goal in the 2012 final, scored a brace as the Saints won their first FAI Cup since 1961. Current City players Patrick McEleney and Michael Duffy both started in 2014, and Shane McEleney was an unused substitute.

Chris Forrester played 92 minutes and is the only member of both the 2012 and 2014 cup final squads to still play for the Inchicore outfit.

3 - Derry City 2 - St. Patrick’s Athletic 2012 FAI Cup Final (AET) Derry City and St. Patrick’s Athletic met each other in the FAI Cup final once again in 2012. Sean O’Connor opened the scoring with a left footed free kick into Gerard Doherty’s top corner but Derry were level within three minutes thanks to a Stewart Greacen header.

Rory Patterson put City ahead, but extra-time was needed

after Christy Fagan equalised at the death. Fifteen minutes into extra-time, Patterson bagged his second when he slotted past Brendan Clarke to clinch the cup for Derry. Current Derry manager Ruaidhrí Higgins was brought on the 81st minute, whilst Shane and Patrick McEleney both featured in the final that year.

Chris Forrester, a current regular in St Pat’s midfield, played the whole 120 minutes in 2012 too.

4 - Derry City 3 - St. Patrick’s Athletic 2006 FAI Cup Final (AET) The 2006 final was the last football match to be held at the old Lansdowne Road before its redevelopment and, despite going behind three times and the game going to extra-time, Derry City triumphed 4-3 to lift their fourth FAI Cup. After beginning his managerial career with St. Patrick Athletic’s under 21 side, the 2006 final was Stephen

Kenny’s last game in his first spell as Derry manager. Kenny, who most recently managed the Irish national team, remarked on how both teams were fantastic in contributing to a classic cup final. Mark Farren, Clive Delaney, and Peter Hutton scored for the Candystripes that day, with the winning goal cruelly coming from Stephen Brennan who put the ball into his own net.

Dave Mulcahy, Trevor Molloy and Sean O’Connor, who also scored in the 2012 final, netted for the Saints.

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This week... Derry City fan... KEVIN GALLAGHER 1. Kylian Mbappé is currently top scorer this season so far in France’s Ligue 1, but who is the second top scorer?

4.

2. Who was the last Man United player to bring a World Cup winners medal back to Old Trafford?

3. After Coventry failed to reach the Final yesterday, which club were the last non-Premier League club to reach the FA Cup Final?

4. Name the former Newcastle United player pictured on the right.

5. Former Liverpool player Jamie Redknapp ended his

5. career at which club?

6. St Pat’s midfielder Chris Forrester made over 100 appearances for which English club?

7. Who was the last St Pat’s player to score a goal here at the Brandywell?

8. Blackburn Rovers player Ben Brereton Díaz represents which country internationally?

KEVIN’S ANSWERS: 1) No idea! Dembele?; 2) Paul Pogba; 3) Portsmouth?; 4) He looks really familiar but it’s not coming to me!; 5) Spurs; 6) Preston North End was it?; 7) Keating; 8) Aw, I read about this! It’s somewhere in South America!

Cuba or Peru or somewhere! I’ll go Cuba

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

ANSWERS: 1) Jonathan David (Lille); 2) Paul Pogba (2018) 3) Cardiff City (2008); 4) Shola Ameobi; 5) Southampton; 6) Peterborough United; 7) Ruairi Keating; 8) Chile

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BE THE CHALLENGER! CONTACT ANDREW@DERRYCITYFC.NET

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