CityView Vol-41 No-01 - Derry City vs Bohemian - Friday 21st February

DERRY CITY F.C. v BOHEMIAN F.C. LEAGUE OF IRELAND MEN’S PREMIER DIVISION FRIDAY 21st FEBRUARY 2025 | 7.45pm Vol. 41 - No. 01

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Welcome to...

BOHEMIAN F.C.

DERRY CITY FOOTBALL CLUB Formed:

1928

Ground:

Brandywell Stadium

Manager:

Tiernan Lynch

Asst Manager:

Seamus Lynch

Coach:

Andy Mitchell

Co-Ordinator: GK Coach:

Patrick McEleney Michael Dougherty

Development:

Mark McChrystal

Head Analyst:

Rory Scott

S&D Coach

Danny Doherty

Physio:

Leah McCreadie

Kit Man:

Georgie Harkin

Kit Man:

Gerry Sheppard

Doctor:

Dr. Noel Boyle

Podiatrist:

Patrick McGill

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 Event Images and Maiden City Images unless otherwise stated. Cover image

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

HONOURS:

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

Welcome back to the Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium for the first game of the 2025 SSE Airtricity Men’s Premier Division Season.

We’d like to take this opportunity to also welcome back Alan Reynolds to the Bradywell along with his staff, players, and the officials and supporters from Bohemians who have travelled up this evening.

A lot has changed since the last time we were here! New manager, new players, and a new stand! The North Stand that you see beind the goals should be finished a filled with supporters very soon adding to the amazing atmosphere that the Brandywell already creates.

We didn’t get off to a great start last week as we visited Shelbourne in Tolka Park, but we have faith that our new manager Tiernan Lynch and his new staff and new signings will come good very soon. Very few

managers take over a new club with new signings and go on a winning streak immediately!

These things take time, and time we certainly have being only 2 games into the season tonight.

Bohs started their season by beating Shamrock Rovers in the Aviva Stadium, setting a new attendance record for a League Of Ireland Premier Division league game in the process.

Lets get behind the players new and old this evening and for the rest of the season and lets see what we can achieve!

TONIGHT’S MATCH OFFICIALS: Referee: MARC LYNCH

Assistant 1: Richard Storey |Assistant 2: Darren Corcoran Fourth Official: Alan Patchell

TONIGHT’S MATCH SPONSOR:

77 Clooney Road, Campsie www.mckenziesni.com

PLEASE SUPPORT ALL OUR SPONSORS

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MESSAGE FROM THE MANAGER

I’d like to welcome everyone to the Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium for tonight’s game, including of course Alan Reynolds and the players, staff and supporters of Bohemian Football Club.

Although we’ve had a couple of pre-season friendlies here, the players and ourselves have been looking forward to getting going in front of our big, passionate home support.

I’ve said from day one that what Derry City fans can count on from us is that we will work our socks off to take the club to where I believe it should be.

That has certainly been the case as we’ve prepared for the new season. Whatever we achieve here over the next few years will be built on determination, hard work and honesty.

On that note I would also like to sincerely thank the Derry GAA community and the Board and staff at Owenbeg in particular for the way in which they have welcomed us to their fantastic facility at Dungiven.

It’s essential that we have a base for the forseeable future and the facilities there are second to none.

We knew since this year’s LOI fixtures were released that we

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would face a very tough start, and that was the case at Tolka Park last weekend.

I’ve seen enough League of Ireland games to know that nothing comes easy here. It was a difficult night in a number of ways but I’m not in the business of excuses and we’ll learn from it and move on.

I do again want to put on record my appreciation to the travelling supporters last week who stayed behind to applaud the players off after the game.

They stood for two and a half hours with little shelter, but I can assure you that those players won’t forget that.

Of course it takes time for things to come together but we have a squad of players at the club with the quality and

the hunger who can make that happen.

Tonight is another very difficult challenge especially as Bohs come here in confident mood after their derby win on Sunday.

I have no doubt you’ll get right behind us from the start, because it’s very important that we make the Brandywell a very difficult place for any visiting team to come.

Thank you again for your warm welcome to this club and I hope you enjoy the game.

Tiernan Lynch, Manager

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LARNE VS DERRY CITY 1996 Larne FC have been riding the crest of a wave over recent seasons but this wasn’t always the case. When Derry travelled to Inver Park for a friendly match on Tuesday 6th February 1996 the club was struggling financially and playing in the First Division of the Irish League, otherwise the Second Division. It was stated on the front of the match programme that all proceeds from the game were in aid of Larne’s survival fund. Larne had replaced Derry when they left the Irish League in 1972.

City’s manager Felix Healy saw the fixture as “A perfect opportunity to give our younger players a chance to express themselves at senior level.” As a result, the team was made up of a mix between experienced campaigners and others from the Reserve Team.

By Francie McCauley Playing for the Inver Park side on the night was their player coach David Jeffrey who at the end of the season was to leave the club to become assistant manager of Linfield.

Although it was a cold night Larne officials were still hugely disappointed with the turnout of about two hundred spectators for what proved to be an entertaining encounter.

The Candystripes took the lead after just four minutes when Harry Mc Court opened the scoring with an unstoppable shot past Larne’s keeper Robinson. Twenty minutes later they doubled their lead when Thomas Mc Callion found Mc Court just inside the penalty box and his low shot on the turn finished up in the net.

Just before the half time whistle Larne pulled a goal back when a half-cleared corner fell to Bustard and he placed his close-range volley past City keeper Gerard Crossan. The visitors restored their two-goal advantage on sixty-seven minutes when a right-wing cross from Gary Heaney gave Mc Court his hat trick when he was on hand to tap the ball home.

The scoring was wrapped up seven minutes from time when Ryan Coyle and Gareth Gorman combined for the latter to hammer

the ball high into the net past Robinson.

Because the game had been finalised only a few days previously the match programme was a rushed affair of eight pages, on dark red paper for 70p, and was only made possible through sponsorship from three local Supporters Clubs. There was an ‘Editorial’, written by a former reporter on the Londonderry Sentinel.

This was followed by ‘Chairman’s Comments’ with the middle pages being taken up with ‘Pen Pics’ of the Derry City squad.

‘Way Back Then’ gave brief info on the league meetings between the clubs pre the Second World War and ‘Fact or Fiction’ referred to Derry’s absence from the Irish League.

Lineups were on the back page.

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POSTPONEMENTS Back in December a visitor to this part of the planet named Storm Darragh wrought a path of destruction everywhere it went. The postponement of football matches here and “across the water” exacerbated the weekend for many players & of course the loyal home supporters of those clubs who were forced to miss their fortnightly fix.

And if your team was playing away the inclement weather put paid to any thoughts of venturing out the door. Bad weather would probably rank high on the list of reasons for calling off games. However the following tales of reasons that games were postponed are certainly varied. A South West English match between Teignmount and Crediton had to be called off because there were no goalposts - they had been ordered but never arrived on time and the game couldn’t be switched as the away team ground was being used that day - even the suggestion of using coats as an alternative got the thumbs down! Last December in England 10 League 1 games were postponed because of international call ups. The rules allow for 3 or more players selected to trigger a request by their club for a postponement. Closer to home the N.Ireland League Premiership games were all postponed in December after amber weather warnings, some at very

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By Sean McGillan

short notice, causing consternation among those travelling fans who braved the journeys only to be told the news on their arrival at the grounds.

The officials involved were left with egg on their faces and had to admit they got it wrong. Back in Marseilles in 2009 as preparations were under way at the Stade Velodrome for a Madonna concert the stage collapsed while being built and the investigation coincided with the home team having to call off their game. You couldn’t make it up ! And finally our own beloved Brandywell featured in a famous postponement back in January 1990 when the Candy Stripes were due to unveil their new floodlights in a Thursday night friendly against Leicester City. Heavy rail forced them to call it off

until the following evening.

As the Derry Journal reported “ a capacity crowd turned out to celebrate the Brandywell’s brightest date on what proved a smashing evening, a super night and one to treasure according our Manager, the late Jim McLaughlin.” City had Manchester United great Steve Bruce guesting for them while the Foxes had Creggan man Paul Ramsey, Kevin Campbell (a loan signing from Arsenal) & Scottish midfielder Gary McAlister in their line up. The home side also had the services of David Campbell(man of the match) & Jim Cleary (Glentoran )on board for this famous occasion. The icing on the “celebratory” cake was the score of 2-1 to Derry with goals from Johnny Speak & Liam Curran.

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NEWS FROM AROUND THE LEAGUE

2025 LEAGUE TABLE: Pld Pts Shelbourne

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Waterford

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3

Bohemians

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3

Cork City

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Galway United

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Drogheda Utd

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St. Pat’s Athletic

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Sligo Rovers

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Shamrock Rvrs

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DERRY CITY

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Last Round’s Results: Shelbourne 3-1 DERRY CITY Cork City 2-2 Galway United St Pa’s Athl 0-0 Drogheda Utd Bohemian 1-0 Shamrock Rovers Sligo Rovers 2-3 Waterford

NEXT GAME:

FAI CUP FINAL, AVIVA STADIUM

This Round’s Fixtures:

FRIDAY 21st FEBRUARY DERRY CITY v Bohemian Galway Utd v St Pat’s Athletic Waterford v Shelbourne Drogheda United v Sligo Rvrs FRIDAY 21st FEBRUARY Shamrock Rvrs v Cork City

Derry City vs Waterford Friday 28th February, 7.45pm

VINNY CUNNINGHAM: TRIBUTE Only last week Derry City lost one of our biggest fans at the age of only 58.

One of the Block J regulars, Vinny Cunningham was well loved among the Brandywell crowd for a long, long time.

Away from the floodlights on a Friday night, Vinny was well used to another kind of lighting in his job as a cameraman, making documentries and TV shows like Lesser Spotted Ulster, Battle of the Bogside, Teenage Kicks: The Undertones, No Go: The Free Derry Story, and 2006: A European Odyssey, showcasing Vinny’s love for story telling, and his love and pride for the City he loved so well, as well as two

of his other loves, Derry City FC and The Undertones.

Vinny was one of life’s true gentlemen, and on a personal level I’ll never forget some of the things that he did for

me in helping me out both inside the ground and out.

Our thoughts are with his wife Deborah, his children Niall and Orla. The club have lost another true legend.

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LAST FRIDAY NIGHT’S GAME...

SHELBOURNE 3 - 1 DERRY CITY: A disappointing start to the season for Derry City last week in Tolka Park against Shlebourne. The opponents we ended last season with here at the Brandywell. Three goals in 5mins, and even floodlight failure added to the drama.

SHELBOURNE 3 - 1 DERRY CITY: Sean Boyd opened the scoring for the home side on 11mins, followed by a Michael Duffy equaliser on 14mins, an Evan Caffrey goal on 15mins, and a Sean Boyed penalty on 45mins saw the game finish 3-1 half and full to the home side.

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C IS FOR CHILDHOOD...

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

PAUL MCMULLAN

I always supported Celtic just because my dad supported them.

D IS FOR DRESS SENSE...

Which Derry City team mate has the worst fashion sense?

Michael Duffy! He’s still wearing those cargos from the away strip photo shoot!

you like to go no expense spared?

Mexico, hotels and service are just out of this world!

I IS FOR IDOL...

Which footballer did you idolise as a boy?

Henrik Larsson! As a Celtic fan growing up he was everyone’s idol!

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?

Danny Mullen, the amount of farts he does on the bus is unacceptable!!

B IS FOR BOX...

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

I enjoy a few different shows, but I’d say Prison break has to be the all time favourite.

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

Music wise, I’d probably be looking for a singalong, so maybe some Taylor Swift!

Then for a film, I’d go for a classic like Shawshank Redemption

F IS FOR FUNNY...

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

At Dundee one of our players was doing an interview with all the press while two of the boys went to the upper tier of the stand with a bucket of cold water and dropped it on him in front of the press!

G IS FOR GOAL...

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

For Dundee at home to Ayr. It was a long range shot that flew in.

H IS FOR HOLIDAY...

What is your favourite holiday destination? Or where would

J IS FOR JOKER...

Who is the biggest practical joker in the team?

Ronan Boyce! Always up to no good that man!

K IS FOR KIT...

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

That bumblebee kit that Celtic had out.

L IS FOR LIFE AFTER PLAYING...

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

I’ve actually done my refereeing course, so that’s a possibility for me.

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M IS FOR MEMENTO...

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

Nothing that I can think of off the top of my head.

N IS FOR NEXT BIG THING...

up that’s man’s sleeve!

T IS FOR TEAM MATES...

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

Will go for Lawrence Shankland the year we played together he scored nearly 30 goals and won a league

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

Sean Patton has had a great pre season and showing all the signs that he can have a great future in the game

P IS FOR PASSTIME...

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

Don’t have a huge amount of spare time with 2 young kids!

W IS FOR WHILE AWAY THE TIME...

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

We have a good cards school which passes a good amount of time on the long trips.

X IS FOR EXCHANGE...

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

Would have to be with an NFL kicker, best job in sports!

O IS FOR OPPOSITION...

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

We had a great record last year and I scored against St Pats so will go for them!

a 3 year lease on it so can’t be changing that over!!

U IS FOR UNPARALLELED...

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

Played against Harry Kane in a friendly while at Celtic and he’s gone on to do pretty 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?

I’ll have to say Robbie Benson without a doubt!

Y IS FOR YOUTH...

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

I played at Celtic for 10 years when I was younger. I played either as a winger or a striker!

R IS FOR RESULT...

Which result meant the most to you in your career?

My last game for Dundee. We won the league on the last day so would go for that.

S IS FOR SKILLS...

Who has the best skills in the team?

Ciaron Harkin! So many tricks

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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?

Same car I have now! I have

Z IS FOR ZERO CHANCE...

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

Finn Harps! I couldn’t do that to the people closest to me!

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DCFC MONTHLY DRAW

George Caldwell, Richard McKinney and Pat Gillen presenting a cheque for £10,000, proceeds from Monthly Draws over the last six months, to chairman Phillip O’Doherty and manager Tiernan Lynch.

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TONIGHT’S SQUADS DERRY CITY F.C.

BOHEMIAN F.C.

1 - BRIAN MAHER 2 - RONAN BOYCE 3 - SHANE FERGUSON 4 - CIARON HARKIN 6 - MARK CONNOLLY 7 - MICHAEL DUFFY 8 - ADAM O’REILLY 9 - PATRICK HOBAN 10 - PAUL MCMULLAN 11 - GAVIN WHYTE 13 - ROBBIE BENSON 14 - BEN DOHERTY 15 - SADOU DIALLO 17 - DOM THOMAS 20 - CARL WINCHESTER 21 - DANNY MULLEN 22 - CADE MCGRATH 23 - CAMERON DUMMIGAN 24 - SAM TODD 26 - ARLO DOHERTY 27 - LIAM BOYCE 32 - SEAN PATTON 34 - CALLUM DOHERTY 35 - GLENN MCCOURT 41 - COLE SMYTH

1 - JAMES TALBOT 2 - LIAM SMITH 3 - KIAN BEST 4 - NIALL MORAHAN 5 - ROBERT CORNWALL 6 - JORDAN FLORES 7 - CONNOR PARSONS 8 - DAYLE ROONEY 9 - COLM WHELAN 10 - DAWSON DEVOY 11 - LYS MOUSSET 14 - JAMES MCMANUS 15 - JAMES CLARKE 16 - KEITH BUCKLEY 17 - ADAM MCDONNELL 20 - LEIGH KAVANAGH 21 - ALEX LACEY 22 - JOHN MOUNTNEY 23 - ARCHIE MEEKISON 24 - CIAN BYRNE 26 - ROSS TIERNEY 30 - KACPER CHORAZKA

Manager: TIERNAN LYNCH

Manager: ALAN REYNOLDS

Tonight’s Match Sponsors:

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

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More Powerful Together 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: Adam O’Reilly (8) + Pat Hoban (9) - Ciaron Harkin (4) = Robbie Benson (13) SPOT THE DIFFERENCE: 1) Floodlight on the left has disappeared; 2) Player on left has disappeared; 3) Cone has appeared on the left; 4) Mark Connolly’s socks are now black; 5) An extra player mannequin has appeared behind Michael Duffy

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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 Welcome to the 2025 season, and welcome back to the Fanzone! The first entrant into the Cityview2025 Fanzone is Jonathan Meenan. Jonathan, who lives outside Madrid, follows the fortunes of the Candystripes on television, but also makes a point of getting to as many games as possible.

Welcome to the Fanzone Jonathan. Jonathan is pictured with his wife Isabel and son Mateo at the Derry City v Kups game in the Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium.

Name: Jonathan Meenan How long have you been supporting Derry City?

I have been supporting Derry since early 1990s when my dad took me to some of the games. Then I started walking to the Sunday games from my grandads in the Glen where we usually had a family Sunday lunch. Soon after that I went to every away game too in the mid 1990s for several years before I went to Uni in Dundee... but yes I was back nearly most weeks for the games whilst many others were heading in the other direction to watch foreign football games.

Where do you sit in the Brandywell?

Unfortunately, since the late 2000´s I have been living just outside Madrid so I’m not able to get to as many games as I

would like. Any viewpoint is magic when watching the city. ;) For now I watch on television at home all the games with my son Mateo. Hoping it’s not too long before we can attend our next game in person.

Best Player you’ve seen playing for the Candystripes?

Has to be Liam Coyle Why? He was just a brilliant footballer. Great memories of all the many goals he scored and victories he created.

Best opposition player you’ve seen play?

Ronaldinho, at the Brandywell on his debut for Barcelona.

Why? He was just a class apart. A truly great footballer!

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

The Aviva Stadium without a doubt! Great stadium with a

great atmosphere especially when Derry get to the cup final. I try to get to most cup finals every November but when Derry are in them its extra special. Apart from that the trips to Turners Cross are long especially in the old days 9/10 hours in the Creggan bus :( but the trip was always a good laugh and an enjoyable weekend too.

What goal sticks out in your mind?

Has to be my first cup final, the FAI Cup final replay v Cork City in Dalymount 1989. Felix Healy with the winner!

Why? A great instinctive goal to win us the Final Name your best Derry City team (you can pick from any era) One to Eleven with Three subs Best Derry team from all eras: (In my opinion) GK - Dermot O`Neill RB - Pascual Vaudequin CB - Ryan Mc Bride

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40 YEARS IN THE LEAGUE OF IRELAND continued...

CB - Paul Curran LB - John Coady RM - Paul Carlyle CM - Peter Hutton LM - James McClean FW - Jonathan Speak FW - Liam Coyle FW - Owen De Gama (Subs) Michael Duffy, Darren Kelly, Felix Healy Best manager you’ve seen at Derry City?

Not an easy one but have to say, Jim McLaughlin for his memorable year in winning the treble.

Favourite half time snack?

Burger and Chips with a cup of coffee

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

Maybe a bar or social club

in the ground for the adults (which club could benefit from) and a meet and greet with players for the little ones before games.

40 YEARS IN THE LEAGUE OF IRELAND Incredibly, this is the start of our 41st season in League of Ireland football.

Since joining the League of Ireland in 1985, we have played a total of 1700 competitive games. We have won 788 games, drawn 452 and lost 460. We have scored 2539 goals and conceded 1628 keeping 682 clean sheets and failing to score on 455 occasions. Our win ratio is 46.35%.

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

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By Brian Dunleavy

times including last season.

466 players have represented the club since 1985, making a total of 22380 appearances.

Peter Hutton with 663 games has made more appearances than any other player. Eddie McCallion is in 2nd place with 537 and Paul Curran in 3rd

place with 518 games. In the current squad, Mark McChrystal with 127 appearances has most played most games for the club.

Our 2539 goals have been shared between 248 different goal scorers, with our top goalscorer being Mark Farren

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40 YEARS IN THE LEAGUE OF IRELAND continued...

113 goals, followed by Liam Coyle with 112 and Jonathon Speak with 98.

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

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

Alex Krstic holds the record for consecutive scoring games, with a run of 12 games between Dec 1986 and March 1987, with Brendan Bradley having scored in six consecutive games.

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

In the league we have played 1298 games, winning 564 (a win ratio of 43.45%), drawing 468 and losing 366. We have scored 1809 league goals and conceded 1251, keeping 506 clean sheets.

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

287 games.

The most frequent scoreline has been a 1-1 draw, which has been recorded on 221 occasions.

We have faced 77 different opponents in our 38 seasons to date, with our most frequent opponent being Bohemians, who we have faced on 142 occasions, followed by St Patrick’s Athletic (135 games) and Shamrock Rovers (130 games).

Bohemians have also been our most frequent league opponent, with 122 league clashes between the sides.

We have had most victories against Bohemians with 69 wins, followed by Finn Harps, who we have overcome on 58 occasions. We have drawn most often against Sligo Rovers with 44 stalemates, while we have lost most often against Cork City, losing

on 48 occasions. With 178 goals we have scored most often against Bohemians, followed by Finn Harps, with 177 goals scored and 160 against Sligo Rovers. St Patrick’s Athletic have scored most goals against us with 145 conceded, while Dundalk and Shamrock Rovers have both scored against us 141 times.

The player to have scored most often against us is Jason Byrne 16 (6 for both Bray Wanderers and Shelbourne and 4 for Bohemians), followed by Pat Morley with 15 (2 for Waterford, 11 for Cork City and 2 for Shelbourne), and David McMillan 14 (3 for UCD and 11 for Dundalk).

Neil Doyle has refereed most Derry City games – 63, followed by Denis McArdle who has reffered 62 Derry City games, while both Paul McLaughlin with 61.

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THE NEW RECRUITS 2025 After becoming manager in November, Tiernan Lynch began moulding his new-look Derry City squad. Eight additions have since been made to his squad. Here’s a profile of each one so you can get a bit more acquainted with some of the new faces around the Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium.

SHANE FERGUSON: The first recruit of the Tiernan Lynch era came in the form of Eglinton man Shane Ferguson. A versatile leftsided player who can operate in either midfield or defence, Ferguson started out with Maiden City before signing for Newcastle United’s academy in 2007. Making his debut for the senior team as a 21 year old in 2010, he played the bulk of his Newcastle games as a left midfielder in 2011 and 2012. In fact, a then 18 year old Ferguson made his first of 57 senior Northern Ireland appearances in a friendly defeat in June 2009, before making his senior club debut! Loans to Birmingham City, Rangers and Millwall followed before signing for the latter permanently in January 2016. Ferguson was a stalwart for The Lions, making almost 220 appearances before departing for Rotherham United in 2021. Now City’s new number three after three years

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By Pól O’Hare at Rotherham, Ferguson comes with a wand of a left foot and bags of experience down the left-flank.

LIAM BOYCE: A striker accomplished in both finishing and linking the play, Boyce scored 70 goals in 131 games for Cliftonville between 2008 and 2014, either side of a year in Germany with Werder Bremen’s reserve side.

He won back-to-back league titles with the Reds, as well as two league cups, before signing for Ross County in June 2014. Boyce scored prolifically for County, finishing the 2016-17 season as the Scottish Premiership’s top scorer with 23 goals – ahead of Celtic’s Scott Sinclair and Moussa Dembélé. Burton Albion paid more than £500,000 to make Boyce their record signing in 2017 – he’d score 31 goals there in an injuryhit spell. The forward cost Hearts around £200,000 when they signed him in 2020. He made an immediate impact by scoring the winner against Rangers on his debut and winning their Player of the Year in 2020/21. More than 120 appearances later, and 28 senior caps for NI, Boyce adds dynamism to an already dangerous striking department of Pat Hoban, Danny Mullen and Sean Patton.

GAVIN WHYTE: Senior NI international signing number three of 2025 came in the form of winger Gavin Whyte. The Belfast native previously worked with Tiernan Lynch at the Belfast Met Football Academy and was part of the Crusaders team that won three titles in four seasons between 2015 and 2018, contributing to

62 goals in 140 appearances from the flanks. An exciting youngster, Whyte joined Oxford United for around £100,000 in 2018 and went on to score in his first start against Coventry City. Coincidentally, his first goal for Northern Ireland came less than two minutes into his debut when he netted against Israel in Windsor Park. After just one season with Oxford United, Whyte cost Cardiff City almost £2m and made more than 50 appearances before joining Hull City then Oxford United again on loans. He left in 2023 to join Portsmouth, where he won League One for the second time in his career. The 29 year old is an exciting wide-player who always looks to take on his man. With an eye for goal and five league titles in his career, he’s a quality addition to the squad.

CARL WINCHESTER: The fourth and final Northern Ireland international of Tiernan Lynch’s winter shopping spree saw the arrival of Carl Winchester, just days after making the 500th appearance of his career. The midfielder started out at Linfield, before making

LIVE FOR IT

John Murphy e: johnmurphy@oneills.com m: 07870 158211

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

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THE NEW RECRUITS 2025 continued...

140 appearances in seven years between 2010 and 2017 at Oldham Athletic. It was at Oldham when Winchester got his first and only Northern Ireland cap in May 2011. Coming with over a decade of experience in the English Football Leagues, the Belfast man played over 100 times each for both Forest Green Rovers and Shrewsbury Town and was named as the latter’s Player of the Season for the 2023-24 campaign. With nearly 70 appearances a piece at both Sunderland and Cheltenham Town, Winchester is a reliable holding midfielder who likes to take the ball on the half-turn and dictate the play. Another real coup for Tiernan Lynch.

ROBBIE BENSON: After breaking through at Athlone Town as a teenager in 2008, Robbie Benson earned a scholarship to UCD, where he completed a master’s degree is actuarial science alongside making 150 appearances and captaining the Students. The now 32 year old was the heart of Dundalk’s side between 2016 and 2019, before coming back to rejoin the Lilywhites in 2022 after a spell at St. Pat’s. Benson won three league titles, an FAI

Cup and two league cups with the Louth side, as well as playing in the UEFA Europa Group stages in 2016. He scored the winner to reach the Champions League play-offs against BATE Borisov, helping Dundalk become the first and so-far only Irish side to do so, before volleying a rocket into the top corner against Legia Warsaw in the following play-offs. That goal’s well worth a watch. With more than 450 League of Ireland appearances and a decorated career at the top of Irish football, Benson brings depth and doggedness to an already strong midfield.

DOM THOMAS: Winger Dominic Thomas broke through at Motherwell after leaving Celtic’s academy in 2010, before making his debut as an 18 year old in 2014. The Glasgow helped Motherwell’s youth side to Scottish Youth Cup glory in 2015-16, before joining Queen of the South on loan in January 2017. His debut for the club against St Mirren, the same side who he made his senior Motherwell debut against just over two years prior. Thomas joined Kilmarnock permanently that summer on a long-term contract, before making loans to Queen of the South, Dumbarton and Dunfermline Athletic. Whilst at Dumbarton, the youngster scored on his debut, bagged 14 goals in 26 games and was named in the PFA Scotland League One Team of the Year, alongside picking up the club’s Young Player of the Year award.

A six time Scotland U21 international, Dom Thomas left Queen’s Park for the Brandywell in January. He was the Spider’s captain and contributed to an impressive 59 goals in 110 games. A left footed right winger, who is com-

fortable on either flank and in the middle, Thomas is a real acquisition to Tiernan Lynch’s squad. I’ve also heard he can fairly hit them to, he’s one to get us fans of our seats.

ARLO DOHERTY: Last but not least, young goalkeeper Arlo Doherty was training with Derry City since last summer. Goalkeeping coach Michael Dougherty has praised the 21 year old’s goalkeeping upbringing after spending time in the academies of Norwich City, Manchester City and Leicester City before joining Derry – the fourth City of his career. With grandparents hailing from Donegal and Limerick, Doherty has signed an 18 month contract on Foyleside and will become deputy to Brian Maher following the departure of Tadhg Ryan. He comes with experience playing in Ireland’s youth teams and will hope to have a bright future at the Brandywell.

HAYDEN CANN: Announced just before last Friday’s defeat away to Shelbourne, English defender Hayden Cann has joined City ahead of the 2025 season as defensive cover. The 21 year old came through the ranks at Lincoln City, making his debut at 17 in the EFL Trophy in 2020. After loan spells at Gainsborough Trinity, Lincoln United and Peterborough Sports, he joined Drogheda United on-loan alongside Derryman and fellow Lincoln teammate Oisin Gallagher in 2024.

After half-a-season at Drogheda, he joined Louth rivals Dundalk for the second half of the season, just two months after netting a 94th minute winner against them. He made nine appearances for Dundalk, who were relegated at the end of the 2024 campaign.

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This week... Derry City fan... JAMES WHITE 1. Who were Derry City’s opponents here at the Brandywell on the opening day of the 2024 season?

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2. Chelsea won the EPL, Derry City won the FAI Cup, Shelbourne won the league, and Italy won the World Cup. What was the year?

3. Two clubs in the English Football League play their home games at grounds called St James’ Park. Which two teams are they?

4. Can you name the former Manchester United youth player pictured on the right.

5. Drogheda United have changed the name of their 5. stadium again this season, what’s it’s new name?

6. Who were Bohemians’ last European opponents, winning 2-1 at Dalymount in the 2021-22 UEFA Europa Conference League 3rd Qualifying Round?

7. Chelsea haven’t had anyone wear No. 9 since the previous wearer left on the 21st of July 2023 Who was it?

8. Who holds Bohemians’ record for most goals scored in a season, scoring 25 goals in 2000–01?

JAMES’ ANSWERS: 1) Wasn’t it St Pats? I can’t remember!; 2) Must have been 2006; 3) Newcastle United & Exeter; 4) Looks like Robbie Brady is it?; 5) Weavers Park?; 6) No idea!; 7) Lukaku; 8) Glen Crowe surely? Or Jason Byrne, but I’ll say Glen Crowe

JAMES’ SCORE: 4 out of 8! Can you beat it?

ANSWERS: 1) Drogheda United; 2) 2006; 3) Newcastle United & Exeter City; 4) Robbie Brady; 5) Sullivan and Lambe Park; 6) PAOK; 7) Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang; 8) Glen Crowe

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BE THE CHALLENGER! CONTACT ANDREW@DERRYCITYFC.NET

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