CityView Vol-40 No-8 - Derry City vs Shelbourne - Monday 6th May

DERRY CITY F.C. v SHELBOURNE F.C. LEAGUE OF IRELAND MEN’S PREMIER DIVISION MONDAY 6th MAY 2024 | 7.45pm Vol. 40 - No. 08

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Welcome to...

SHELBOURNE F.C.

DERRY CITY FOOTBALL CLUB Formed:

1928

Ground:

Brandywell Stadium

Manager:

Ruaidhrí Higgins

Asst Manager:

Paul Hegarty

Coach:

Conor Loughrey

Fitness Coach:

Kevin McCreadie

GK Coach:

Michael Dougherty

Development:

Mark McChrystal

Perfor Analyst:

Seamus McCallion

Opp Analyst:

Gerard Boyle

Physio:

Michael Hegarty

Equipment:

Gerry Sheppard

Kit Man:

Gavin Doherty

Kit Man:

Philip Johnson

Doctor:

Dr. Noel Boyle

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

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

HONOURS:

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

Welcome back to the Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium for the second time in 4 days!

Tonight we welcome back Damien Duff along with the officials, players and supporters of Shelbourne who have travelled up this Bank Holiday Monday.

It’s due to today’s May Bank Holiday that our programme printers City Print are closed, so this evening’s programme was compiled before Friday’s game against Galway, so you’ll excuse me for not mentioning anything about that game tonight!

But to look at this evening’s opponents, you’d be wise to think that a draw tonight be on the cards! Five of the last six league games have ended in draws!

To look back to the last time that Shelbourne came to the

Brandywell and won, you’d be going back to April 2022 when James Akintunde put City 1-0 up before Shane Farrell and Brian McManus grabbed the win for Shels.

Derry got their own back at the end of 2022 of course with the amazing 4-0 FAI Cup Final win at the Aviva that November.

Three of the last five game have also produced red cards, so keep an eye out for that this evening as well!

Enjoy the game!

TONIGHT’S MATCH OFFICIALS: Referee: PAUL McLAUGHLIN

Assistant 1: Robert Clarke |Assistant 2: Darren Carey Fourth Official: Damien MacGraith

TONIGHT’S MATCH SPONSOR:

12 Clarendon St, Derry | (028) 7126 4416 | www.mmp.legal PLEASE SUPPORT ALL OUR SPONSORS

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MESSAGE FROM THE MANAGER

I want to extend a warm welcome to Damien Duff and his players and staff to the Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium ahead of tonight’s game. It’s a very busy time for everyone at present and the games are coming thick and fast, but it’s all part of the challenge and we’re looking forward to tonight’s match.

At the time of writing, Shelbourne are sitting at the top of the league and as I’ve said many times before, I don’t buy into the ‘surprise package’ theory one bit.

They have a lot of very good players, they’re really well coached and everybody knows their job. I don’t mean to overstate the obvious but they play to a system that suits them and they’re very good at it.

Before heading to Galway on Friday night we had put together a couple of decent back-to-back results ourselves and we’ll be looking to build on that here.

Confidence is high among

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the players at the minute and obviously winning games is a big part of that.

Tonight’s game is once again in front of ‘live’ TV cameras and while obviously that brings its own challenges for club staff, it is also testament to the fact that we’re right in the thick of things on the field.

It looks like being an enthralling race this season and while we’ve played plenty of football in the past few weeks, there’s a long way to go between now and November.

I’m also aware that ongoing work around the stadium will mean some relo-

cation for our supporters and I just wanted to acknowledge their efforts so far this season, and hope that we can continue to count on their backing.

There is no better place to play when the Brandywell is rocking and with tonight being such a big game I trust that we can count on you to get behind the team.

Enjoy the game!

Ruaidhrí Higgins, Manager

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DERRY CITY VS RED STAR BELGRADE 1987 Red Star Belgrade are currently on target to win their seventh consecutive Serbian SuperLiga title but when they came to the Brandywell for a friendly game on Wednesday 28th January 1987 they were still part of the old Yugoslavia. Red Star were coming out of their mid-season break and had arranged a short tour as preparation for the re start. The previous week they had beaten Manchester United one nil at Old Trafford but, surprisingly, had been held to a one all draw against Glenton at the Oval on the Monday night.

The Derry game very nearly didn’t get under way as a communication mix up had seen no match officials appointed but fortunately locals Raymond Mc Faddden, Jim Dunne and Ronnie Ballard filled in. City’s Alex Krstic was made team captain against the club he had supported as a boy.

By Francie McCauley Fans of the Candystripes in the 8,500 attendance probably thought they were in for a tough afternoon when the visiting Pavlovic found the back of the net after just four minutes but Derry put up a good performance and it took two goals in the last ten minutes to extend the Yugoslavs lead.

The game produced some excellent entertainment with Red Star displaying slick football played at pace but City had come well into the game before half time and provided the odd problem for the visitors’ defence. In the first period Krstic flashed a header narrowly wide from a corner and after the interval he was denied by a brilliant save from Red Star’s keeper Stogandic and he was just over the bar with another effort.

On eighty minutes Stuart Gauld overheld the ball and was dispossessed allowing Nikolic to double the visitors’ lead and four minutes later Durovic completed the scoring.

An excellent, twenty-eightpage programme full of reading material was on sale for fifty pence. It started off with a Welcome to the Visitors in Serbo-Croat, Irish and English along with messages from the chairman and manager. There was a history of Red Star with a team photo, photos of their

backroom staff and head and shoulder pics of their squad.

An interesting article on previous visits of continental sides to the Brandywell – Admira Wien for a friendly in 1954 and Steaua Bucharest and FK Lyn Oslo for European games in the ‘60s.

There was an Appreciation of the recently deceased James Harkin. Line ups filled a page and we had a review of the following weekend’s FAI Cup ties.

Spotlight on the Supporter fell on Journal reporter Frank Curran. St Peter’s Secondary School U12s visit to Killarney and match ballboys from Rosemount Primary School featured on the Junior Page.

Stuart Gauld had a three-page interview. The programme rounded off with Foyleman’s ‘Bits & Pieces’, a football crossword and a half time quiz.

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QUOTABLE QUOTES I thought it appropriate to introduce this article with a quote from the Manager of our opponents here tonight:Damien was asked about the new interim Manager of Ireland, John O’Shea and he replied that he wished him all the best and quipped that “I might actually watch an Ireland game now. “ The same ex-Man United player said to Alex Ferguson “Yeah I’ll give it a go” when told by the boss to play in goal!

Another Manager, Harry Redknapp who was a legend in England once said “The only relaxed boss was Big Ron - he had me drinking pink champagne - before the match!”

He also said “We have got sports scientists who insist it’s important for the lads to eat after games to refuel, even if it’s 2 a.m. I used to refuel at West Ham until 3.30 am in the morning in a different way -

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Sean McGillan

but then I’m old school!”

Another great character & football pundit Alan Shearer once said “I was watching the Blackburn game on TV when it flashed up that George Ndah had scored in the first minute at Birmingham. My first reaction was to ring him up. Then I remembered he was out there playing!”

The late Brazilian Pele who was a National Hero said on one occasion that he thought France, Germany, Spain, Holland & England would join Brazil in the World Cup Semi -Finals!

These words of wisdom from him however are so true “Football is the only sport where you put people together, it doesn’t matter if you are rich or poor, black or white. It is one nation. That is the beauty of football.”

Another legend from Holland, Johan Cruyff weighed in with this observation - “Soc-

cer is simple, but it is difficult to play simple.”

Brian Clough, widely considered by many to be one of the best Managers ever felt that “he had a good team on paper. Unfortunately the game was played on grass” Another famous English born Manager, Bobby Robson was quoted as saying “the first 90 minutes are the most important!“ A few final comments:“That lad must have been born offside” - Alex Ferguson.

“First I went left, he did too.

Then I went right and he did too. Then I went left again and he went to buy a hot dog” - Zlatan Ibramhimovic.

And lastly a quote from a lady player, Sam Kerr of Chelsea.

“No one is bigger than the team, you win together, and you can certainly lose together”

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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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Shamrock Rvrs

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DERRY CITY

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Bohemians

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Galway United

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St. Pat’s Athletic

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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:

This Round’s Fixtures:

FRIDAY 3rd MAY St Pat’s Athl _-_ Drogheda Utd Galway Utd _-_ DERRY CITY Dundalk _-_ Shelbourne Bohemian _-_ Shamrock Rvrs Sligo Rovers _-_ Waterford

MONDAY 6th MAY Sligo Rovers v St Pat’s Athletic DERRY CITY v Shelbourne Bohemians v Galway United Shamrock Rovers v Waterford Drogheda United v Dundalk

(RESULTS NOT IN AT TIME OF PRINTING)

NEXT HOME GAME:

Derry City vs Bohemian Friday 10th May, 7.45pm

LANDMARKS: 100TH GAME FOR PATCHING In recent games of the season, we have seen a few milestones for both the club and some players.

Firstly, in the away game against Drogheda United, Will Patching made his 100th Derry City appearance, while Mark Connolly played his 50th game for the club.

Will becomes the 57th player to reach a century of games for Derry City during our 39 years in League of Ireland.

The first player to represent the club on 100 occasions was Stuart Gauld in a 0-1 home defeat to Shamrock Rovers in April 1989. In Oct 1989, Jack Keay, Jonathon Speak and Felix Healy all made their 100th appearance for the club.

Earlier this season, Ciaron Harkin became the most recent players to make 100 appearances for the club.

The first player to represent the club on 50 occasions was Kevin Mahon in Feb 1987, on the day when we were presented with the first division trophy. For the record, City, whose side included former Arsenal and England midfielder Alan Sunderland, won 5-1, with a hat trick from Owen Da Gama and a penalty from Alex Krstic, the other was an own goal.

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

1987. It was Jim McLaughlin’s first game in charge of the side, with Felix Healy scoring our 50th league goal at Brandywell and John Cunningham with his first Derry City strike, being our other scorers on the day.

Also in the Drogheda game, Ronan Boyce made his 100th start for the club, becoming the 44th players to start a century of games for City.

The first to do so was Stuart Gauld against Finn Harps in the Ulster Tyre Cup in August 1989, followed

by Felix Healy in Nov 1989 against Athlone Town at Brandywell, while Paul Curran was the third player to start 100 games for Derry City in Dec 1989 against Shamrock Rovers.

The most recent players to reach this milestone were Cameron McJannet and Ciaran Coll last season.

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RESERVES, U19s, U17s & LADIES UPDATES

IN ASSOCIATION WITH THE JUNGLE VIEW thejungleview.wordpress.com/

U14 INTERNATIONAL SELECTION Derry City’s Preston McKeown and Liam Kelly have been named in the Northern Ireland U14 squad for the upcoming Den Bosch International Tournament in the Netherlands, whilst Kai Anderson has earned a place on the standby list.

Before heading to the Netherlands, the three lads will feature in a friendly match for Northern Ireland against Shamrock Rovers this Sunday.

Congratulations to Preston, Liam, and Kai, and best of luck for the upcoming games!

MOTM AWARD FOR DOWNEY Derry City’s Callum Downey and Glenn McCourt are in Estonia this week, representing Northern Ireland at the UEFA U16 Development Tournament.

On Tuesday, Callum picked up the Man of the Match Award for his superb performance in the opening game against Ukraine.

The lads are back in action this afternoon when they face Luxembourg at the Estonian Football Association’s national training centre in Tallinn.

Congratulations to Callum and Glenn, and best of luck in today’s match!

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C IS FOR CHILDHOOD...

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

LUKE O’DONNELL

ise as a boy?

I love watching back on clips of Zidane but right now it’s got to be Jude Bellingham!

I’m a big Man City fan and my Mum got me into them.

D IS FOR DRESS SENSE...

Which Derry City team mate has the worst fashion sense?

Colm Whelan! In fiarness to him, it’s not that bad, just very basic!

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?

It’s got to be Sam Todd because he is a massive man and would take all the leg room up!

B IS FOR BOX...

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

Prison break has to be the one, absolutely loved it

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

I honestly don’t really use CDs or DVDs on the bus mainly just listen to my own music.

F IS FOR FUNNY...

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

On a trip away with Ireland one of the lads got pushed into the pool with his full kit on!

G IS FOR GOAL...

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

Last year I scored an amazing free kick against Finn harps U17s so that’s definitely up there.

H IS FOR HOLIDAY...

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

I’d love to go to Dubai.

I IS FOR IDOL...

Which footballer did you idol-

J IS FOR JOKER...

Who is the biggest practical joker in the team?

Ciaran Coll, the man loves a joke!

K IS FOR KIT...

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

It’s got to be the Ireland kit for me. I got to bring my kit I wore for the Under 17s home this season.

L IS FOR LIFE AFTER PLAYING...

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

Yeah 100% I’d love to go into coaching or managing after I’m done playing.

M IS FOR MEMENTO...

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

It’s got to be my captains

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armband that I wore for Ireland against Poland during the U15 season.

McEleney!

I’d love to drive a Range Rover!

N IS FOR NEXT BIG

T IS FOR TEAM MATES...

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

Got to be Patrick McEleney!

W IS FOR WHILE AWAY

THING...

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

There’s lots of good players coming up but I think my younger brother Jamie O’Donnell could be the next one over.

P IS FOR PASSTIME...

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

I do love to play and watch basketball and also love a bit of ping pong!

Q IS FOR QUIZ...

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

I’d swap with Max Holloway in the UFC!

U IS FOR UNPARALLELED...

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

2 years ago I played against Pau Cubarsi who was playing for Spain at the time and now the starts for Barcelona first team regularly at 16 years old!

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

It’s got to be Sadou Diallo for that one!

Y IS FOR YOUTH...

R IS FOR RESULT...

Which result meant the most to you in your career?

It would have to be last year when I was playing for Ireland U16 and we beat Scotland to win the Victory Shield!

S IS FOR SKILLS...

Who has the best skills in the team?

That’s a tough one as well! I’d either say Will Patching or Patrick

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

I love to listen to music so that would be the main thing I do or watch a bit of Netflix

X IS FOR EXCHANGE...

O IS FOR OPPOSITION...

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

That’s a tough one! It’s either between Finn Harps or Shamrock Rovers!

THE TIME...

V IS FOR VEHICLE...

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

I’m currently too young to drive but when I’m in the Premiership

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

The first club I started playing with was Cockhill Celtic and I was a midfielder when I was young too and still am to this day

Z IS FOR ZERO CHANCE...

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

Finn Harps!

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TONIGHT’S SQUADS DERRY CITY 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 41 - LUKE O’DONNELL Manager: RUAIDHRÍ HIGGINS

SHELBOURNE F.C. 1 - CONOR KEARNS 2 - SEAN GANNON 3 - TYREKE WILSON 4 - KAMERON LEDWIDGE 5 - SHANE GRIFFIN 6 - JONATHAN LUNNEY 8 - MARK COYLE (CAPTAIN) 9 - SEÁN BOYD 10 - JOHN MARTIN 11 - MATTY SMITH 12 - JAD HAKIKI 16 - JOHN O’SULLIVAN 17 - SHANE FARRELL 19 - LORCAN HEALY 20 - KEITH WARD 21 - GAVIN MOLLOY 22 - DEAN WILLIAMS 24 - LEWIS TEMPLE 27 - EVAN CAFFREY 29 - PADDY BARRETT 36 - WILL JARVIS 67 - LIAM BURT

Manager: DAMIEN DUFF

Tonight’s Match Sponsors: 12 Clarendon St, Derry (028) 7126 4416 www.mmp.legal

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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: Ronan Boyce (2) + Will Patching (8) - Ciaron Harkin (4) = Mark Connolly (6) SPOT THE DIFFERENCE: 1) Tree on top left has grown; 2) Ball has disappeared; 3) Ben Doherty’s tattoo has disappeared; 4) Paul McMullan’s left leg has disappeared; 5) Post has disappeared from middle of the photo

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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 Here tonight to add his thoughts on all things Candystripe is Conor McGeehan.

Conor has been supporting Derry City for over twenty years.

Let’s see if he can get some good hearted debate going with his contribution to the Cityview Fanzone page!

Thanks Conor.

Why? Still remember when he came and tore Derry apart with Rovers!

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

Parc de Prince in Paris. The atmosphere in that stadium from PSG and Derry fans was electric!

What goal sticks out in your mind?

Cian Kavanagh vs KuPS.

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

Since about 2002/2003 so 20 plus years.

Where do you sit in the Brandywell?

In the Mark Farren Stand – Block S

Why? It’s still fresh in the memory. It wasn’t the most technical goal I’ve ever seen from Derry, but it had been a long long time since I felt that euphoria coming away from the Brandywell. Those are the feelings that has fans coming week in week out.

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

GK - David Forde LB - Sean Hargan CB - Ryan McBride CB - Peter Hutton RB - Eddie McCallion, LM - James McClean CM - Patrick McEleney CM - Ciaran Martyn CM - Barry Molloy RM - Paddy McCourt, FW - Mark Farren, Subs, Gary Beckett, Sean Friars, Liam Coyle Best manager you’ve seen at Derry City?

Stephen Kenny Favourite half time snack?

Used to love a packet of Cadburys Eclairs from the old tuck shop What one thing would you introduce that you feel would improve the match day experience?

Bring back the tuck shop with hot drinks and soup. Ideal for the cold nights!

Best Player you’ve seen playing for the Candystripes?

Paddy Mc Court Why? His ability to beat players one on one, pick out a pass/cross or score brilliant goals. Always was exciting when he was on the ball Best opposition player you’ve seen play?

Again, Paddy Mc Court!

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MANCHESTER UNITED’S FIRST AND ONLY BLACK BUSBY BABE - AND HE WAS IRISH! Dennis Allen Walker was born on 26 October 1944 in Northwich, Cheshire, England to a single mother, Mary Walker. Mary was born in Limerick, Republic of Ireland and was white. Up until a few years ago very little was known about Dennis’s father as his name does not appear on the birth certificate, although Dennis always described himself as half Iranian and half Argentinian. His father was Afro-Iranian and when he was a young boy, Dennis’s mother told him that his father died at sea when he was just a baby.

The young Walker learned to speak Arabic and Farsi in order to correspond with his father’s family in Iran. In his second year at secondary school Manchester United’s local scout spotted Dennis and recognising that the young kid had talent in abundance, he recommended him to his manager, Matt Busby. United had the best, and most coveted youth football system in English football and regardless of the city or town of their birth, every schoolboy dreamt of becoming a Busby Babe and following in the football boots of the legendary Duncan Edwards, Bobby Charlton and many others. Dennis was recruited by United and aged only 15, he left school and signed for the club as a trainee in September 1960. His boyhood dream was fulfilled, he became a Busby Babe, the first and only black Busby Babe.

Dennis was an outstanding talent at schoolboys level and was on the verge of playing for the England schoolboys Under-15

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side before agreeing terms at Old Trafford. When Jimmy Murphy, assistant manager to Matt Busby, and the man in charge of Manchester United’s Youth Teams, knocked on the front door of the home of the parent/ parents of a young boy who he wanted to join his set-up at Old Trafford, it was perhaps one of the most difficult things in the world to do and not invite Jimmy in. Murphy was Busby’s most trusted lieutenant, his Consigliere when it came to getting a deal done and acquire the signature of a promising young footballer. But more than this, Murphy was a genial Welshman, whose demeanour was so intoxicating, and whose words of comfort and wisdom were so reassuring, that it may have been bordering on a parent committing a sin to refuse him permission to look after their son. Jimmy never promised to take the place of either parent in their son’s life but what he did give them was his unequivocal guarantee that he would look after him like he was

his own son. Busby knew that Murphy was the Patriarch of his Babes and both treated the young boys under their charge as men. Mary Walker, just like the parents of Edwards and Charlton had done in previous years, placed her trust in Manchester United, and in Jimmy in particular, to look after her son and help him become a man.

Had Dennis been selected to play for the England schoolboys Under-15 side, he would have been the first black player to represent England at any level.

However, he became ineligible for a call-up as he had signed terms for Manchester United.

A right-sided midfielder or forward, Dennis signed as a fulltime professional in November 1961 but had to wait until the end of the 1962-63 season before making his first-team debut. On 20 May 1963, Busby gave Dennis his first team debut and selected him in his team which lost 3-2 at the City Ground, Nottingham to Nottingham Forest in the English First Division Championship (scorers: Johnny Giles & David Herd). Amazingly, neither Charlton or Denis Law (Best was still a Youth Team player) played in the game which was not only Dennis’s first for Manchester United, but also his only ever game for the club. Busby rested Charlton and played Dennis in his position, making him the first black player to play in a competitive game for Manchester United. Walker’s debut was Manchester United’s final League game of the 1962-63

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THE FIRST AND ONLY BLACK BUSBY BABE continued... season, and five days later, Charlton and Law both played in United’s 3-1 win over Leicester City in the 1963 FA Cup final (Best was sitting in the stands at Wembley Stadium watching the game, still only a trainee at Old Trafford). Law scored in the final as did David Herd who scored twice for United under the Twin Towers to win the FA Cup for the third time in the history of the club, winners in 1909 & 1948. After making the breakthrough into the Manchester United first team, Dennis remained on the periphery of the first team and when the club embarked on a 1963-64 pre-season tour of Italy, he was not chosen by Busby for any of the matches. But then again, his competition was Charlton and Law and a Manchester United Legend awaiting, literally in the wings, the iconic, devilish, wizard of the dribble, silky, stylish, mesmeric, iconic, genius of world football, George Best.

The 17-year old George Best eventually made his first team debut on 14 September 1963.

In April 1964, Dennis left Old Trafford and moved to York City who had just finished third from bottom of the English Fourth Division and had to apply for reelection to the League, which was approved. On 13 June 1964, Dennis married Patricia Cropper in the Parish Church of St Clement, Chorlton-cum-Hardy, and his former Manchester United teammate, David Sadler (George Best’s best friend at the club), was his best man at his wedding. After 169 appearances for York City he moved to Cambridge United in 1968 and

played for the club in the Southern League and then in the Football League from 1968 until October 1972. In October 1972, he moved to Poole Town Football Club for £1,600, making 74 League appearances for the club and scoring 4 goals. Poole Town were relegated from the Southern Premier League to the Southern League Division 1 South at the end of the 1972-73 season, and at the start of the 1973-74 season, Dennis was made player/manager. In July 1975, he accepted an offer of a football coaching role in South Africa. He then returned to the UK to become the Operations Manager at the Arndale Shopping Centre in Manchester.

Dennis was on duty on 15 June 1996, when a telephone call came through claiming that a bomb had been planted in the Arndale Shopping Centre.

The Troubles were in their 27th year in Northern Ireland and the Irish Republican Army (IRA) had carried out many bombing campaigns in England during this time. However, hoax calls

about bombs being planted at key points in English cities were not uncommon at this time, and any decision to evacuate a major shopping complex or a financial institution would undoubtedly cause a great deal of disruption and financial loss.

Thankfully, Dennis decided he would go with the gut feeling he had following the telephone warning and supported the decision to evacuate the Arndale Shopping Centre which was packed with shoppers. Seconds after ensuring everyone was safe a 3,300-pound IRA bomb was detonated, hurling Dennis across the road and into the window of Debenhams Department Store. Miraculously he was unhurt, and no one died in the aftermath of the explosion, mainly thanks to Dennis’s quick decision making. Sadly, Dennis suffered a massive stroke and lost the use of the right side of his body.This was difficult for Dennis to endure as he was such a positive outgoing person who loved playing sports, particularly golf. He never fully recovered from the stroke passed away on 11 August 2003, in Stepping Hill Hospital, Stockport aged 59.

But Dennis’s legacy lives on and thanks to him, the Manchester United team today is a diverse one. Dennis Walker paved the way for those players today to represent the club freely and without the prejudice players like Dennis had to suffer and tolerate during the 1960s and 1970s in order to play the sport they loved. He was the first black player to play for Manchester United and the only black Busby Babe.

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DERRY VS SHELBOURNE: THE HIGHLIGHTS SINCE 2000 4 - Derry City 0 - Shelbourne 2022 FAI Cup Final 13th November 2022 After scoring fourteen goals and conceding just twice on the road to the final, Derry City met Shelbourne in their first trip to the Aviva in eight years. Shelbourne, fresh from a seventh placed league finish in Damien Duff’s first season as manager, had drawn with the Candystripes in the league three weeks prior – ending City’s title hopes for the season.

Derry’s second placed finish meant that European football for 2023 was already secured, but for Shelbourne, winning the cup and qualifying for Europe would have marked a hugely successful first season back in the Premier Division. Both sides went into the final confident, but it was Derry who triumphed on the night. Buoyed on by over 20,000 travelling fans, Ruaidhrí Higgins’ men dominated. After first-half goals from Jamie McGonigle and Cameron McJannet, City went into the break 2-0 up. Just after the hour mark, McJannet netted his second and Derry’s third. Jordan McEneff, who spent the first half of the season on loan at Tolka Park, was brought down in the box in injury time. The midfielder slotted the following penalty past Brendan Clarke to ensure that Derry recorded the highest margin of victory in FAI Cup final history. It was a match for the record books, and one which the Derry faithful certainly won’t forget any time soon.

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By Pól O’Hare

7 - Derry City 3 - Shelbourne 2018 EA Sports Cup Qtr Final 7th May 2018 This fixture was the hundredth meeting between Derry City and Shelbourne in all competitions and produced a goal-fest fit for the occasion. Derry City had received a bye through the first round, before defeating rivals Finn Harps 2-1 in the second round. Shelbourne put three past Bray Wanderers in the first round and hit Drogheda United for seven to set up a quarterfinal tie with the Candystripes.

They continued their goalscoring form into the league, finishing the 2018 campaign with the best goal difference in the First Division. With a spot in the last four of the EA Sports Cup up for grabs, Ronan Curtis netted twice in fourteen minutes to see Derry take an early advantage. David O’Sullivan gave the travelling contingent hope by scoring two in quick succession, bringing the score to 2-2 just before the half hour mark. Before the half was out, Curtis had

completed his hat-trick and, alongside goals from Rory Hale and Aaron McEneff, saw Derry go into the interval leading 5-2.

James English made it 5-3 with ten minutes to go, but Nicky Low and Nathan Boyle found Derry’s sixth and seventh goals.

City were drawn away to Sligo Rovers in the semi-final, where Rory Hale struck again to send the Candystripes to the final.

Derry were met by giant killers Cobh Ramblers, the First Division side who defeated Dundalk 1-0 in the semis. Kenny Shiels’ men beat the Munster side 3-1 in a sold-out Brandywell in the final, marking a record eleventh League cup triumph for the Candystripes.

0 - Derry City 0 - Shelbourne (3-0 Derry on penalties) Eircom League Cup 18th September 2006 2006 is a fabled year in the hearts of Derry City fans, as City completed an FAI Cup and League Cup double whilst set-

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DERRY VS SHELS: THE HIGHLIGHTS SINCE 2000 continued... ting off on a ‘European Odyssey’.

After beating IFK Göteborg and hammering Gretna, they set up a tie with Paris Saint-Germain in the first round proper of the UEFA Cup. The Parisians were held to a draw in the Brandywell, before Derry fell to a 2-0 defeat in Paris and bowed out of Europe with their heads held high. The Candystripes didn’t seem distracted though and played the first of two cup finals that year on the 18th of September, facing Shelbourne in the Brandywell after defeating Longford Town, Drogheda United and Limerick in earlier rounds. They faced a Shels side who had overcome Dublin City, Finn Harps and Bohemians to set up a blockbuster league cup final. In terms of drama, it didn’t disappoint. Despite the lack of goals, the game burst into life in the latter stages. With 83 minutes on the clock, City keeper David Forde was sent off for handling the ball outside of his box. Just seven minutes into extra-time, midfielder Killian Brennan was shown his marching orders – meaning nine-man Derry had to go all-out-defence to usher the game to penalties.

Substitute goalkeeper Pat Jennings was to be the hero, saving three Shelbourne penalties to retain the cup for City. Ruaidhrí Higgins converted a penalty that night, as did now-Institute boss Kevin Deery and York City’s current General Manager, Darren Kelly.

2 - Shelbourne 2 Derry City LOI Premier Division 22nd September 2006 &

the Premier Division until 2011, whilst Derry City took their spot in UEFA Champions League qualifying.

2 - Derry City 0 - Shelbourne LOI Premier Division 24th October 2006 In 2006, Derry City came painfully close to winning the League of Ireland Premier Division for the first time since 1997. Carrying on their form from Europe and the cup competitions, City performed in the league too - ending the season with an identical points, wins, draws and losses record as Shelbourne. On 22nd September, Derry raced to a two-goal lead in Tolka Park through goals from Paddy McCourt and Kevin Deery. After the dismissal of Derry goalkeeper Pat Jennings on the stroke of half-time, Shelbourne clawed the game back, which would eventually finish 2-2. Just over a month later, Shels travelled to the Brandywell, where two second half goals from McCourt and Ciarán Martyn saw the points go Derry’s way. It wasn’t too be in the end for City though, who lost the league title on goal difference. To rub salt into the Derry wounds, Shelbourne were relegated to the First Division for the 2007 season due to financial issues, and wouldn’t return to

3 - Derry City 3 - Shelbourne LOI Premier Division 28th April 2001 Fans of Shelbourne may have fonder memories of the 2000/01 campaign than Derry City fans do. They reached the second round of Champions League qualifying after defeating Sloga Jugomagnat 2-1 on aggregate – a first ever European away win for the club. Shels fell to defeat against Rosenborg in the second round but finished the League of Ireland season in second place, just two points behind champions Bohemians.

Derry City had a less eventful campaign, finishing sixth in the League of Ireland Premier Division and hosting Celtic in a high-profile friendly in order to raise money for the club.

When late April rolled round, Shelbourne were in a title-race with Dublin rivals Bohemians.

They needed a point to go top of the table ahead of their visit to the Brandywell, but the Candystripes planned to cause an upset. After just twenty minutes, City found themselves 3-0 up through goals from Darren McCready, Gareth McGlynn and Liam Coyle. Shelbourne won their point in the end though, as Robbie Foran, Pat Scully and Stephen Geogeghan scored to see the game finish 3-3. The point was more useful for the Candystripes, who were fighting to steer clear of the relegation zone.

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This week... Derry City fan... NIALL MCCUINNESS 1. Who scored the only goal of the game last week when Institute beat Ballymena United 1-0 in the Playoffs?

4.

2. Manchester City signed Erling Haaland from Borussia Dortmund, but which club did Dortmund sign him from?

3. Which club holds the record for winning the FA Cup Final the most times?

4. Name the former Swansea player pictured on the right doing his famous celebration.

5. Former Liverpool and Tottenham player Peter Crouch

5. ended his career at which club?

6. Leicester City won the 2023–24 EFL Championship but which club weer the first to get relegated from the EFL Championship this season?

7. Who was the last Shelbourne player to score a goal here at the Brandywell?

8. Which club did Shelbourne assistant manager Joey O’Brien make most appearances for during his playing career?

NIALL’S ANSWERS: 1) Danny Lafferty scored a cracker; 2) A German club I think. Can’t remember; 3) Arsenal?; 4) Gomis. Can’t remember his first name; 5) Stoke; 6) Rotherham; 7) Sean Boyd?; 8) West Ham I think

NIALL’S SCORE: 5 out of 8! Can you beat it?

ANSWERS: 1) Danny Lafferty; 2) Red Bull Salzburg 3) Arsenal (14 wins); 4) Bafétimbi Gomis; 5) Burnley; 6) Rotherham United; 7) Jack Moylan (October 2022); 8) West Ham United

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