CityView Vol-41 No-02 - Derry City vs Waterford - Friday 28th February

DERRY CITY F.C. v WATERFORD F.C. LEAGUE OF IRELAND MEN’S PREMIER DIVISION FRIDAY 28TH FEBRUARY 2025 | 7.45pm Vol. 41 - No. 02

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Welcome to...

WATERFORD 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 second game of the 2025 SSE Airtricity Men’s Premier Division Season.

Welcome also to Keith Long as well as his players and staff, and the officials and supporters who have travelled from Waterford this evening.

We’re out to maintain our unbeaten run here at the Brandywell this season! Well, it’s easy to say that after one game, but it’s a start anyway! We seen a measurable increase in performance between our first game against Shelbourne and our game last week against Bohemians.

We have Waterford to get past tonight though, and thankfully we have a good record against them of late.

In fact, Waterford’s last win against us was back in April

2021 here at the Brandywell with a 2-1 scoreline. Shane Griffin and Oscar Brennan go the goals for Waterford that night, but they were helped to that scoreline by a young Adam O’Reilly in midfield and another former Candystripe, Cian Kavanagh up front.

On a side note, it won’t be long now until our capacity is increased when the new North Stand opens in a few weeks time, so there’s a lot to look forward to this season!

Enjoy the game!

TONIGHT’S MATCH OFFICIALS: Referee: AARON O’DOWD

Assistant 1: Chris Campbell |Assistant 2: Fintan Butler Fourth Official: David Dunne

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 the Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium to Keith Long and the players, staff and supporters of Waterford United ahead of tonight’s game.

We were never in any doubt that this is going to be a fiercely competitive season and with a win in Sligo and a narrow defeat to Shelbourne in their first two games, this evening’s visitors will also be a tough nut to crack.

Obviously last Friday night was one of very mixed emotions on a personal note, but getting a hugely important win was all that mattered at the end of it.

The big Brandywell crowd really got behind us after such a strange start to the game and I thought that to a man, the players were brilliant.

It was a very difficult night for football and we played into a really strong wind in the second half, however we managed the game really well.

We were worthy winners on the night and I was pleased that the family of the late Vinny Cunningham were there to experience a perfor-

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mance that the players dedicated to the lifelong Derry City supporter.

And on that note, earlier this week I arranged through Karen Pyne to meet up with some representatives of our local supporters clubs.

Seamus and Andy Mitchell came with me and it was a really useful experience to have an open and informal chat with members of the clubs, some of whom have been following Derry City for up to 60 years!

tween players, staff and supporters and it is something that I intend to visit regularly as we move forward.

Your backing will be pivotal this season and there will obviously be times when we’ll rely on you to lift the players.

It goes wiithout saying that we’re determined to do everything we can to give you something to shout about!

Enjoy the game!

It was important to hear what our own fans feel that we are doing well, and just as importantly, the things we need to be better at.

It’s vital that we maintain strong relationships be-

Tiernan Lynch, Manager

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DERRY CITY VS LUTON TOWN 1994 First Division Luton Town’s FA cup tie had been postponed on the previous Saturday which meant they hadn’t played for a fortnight so a hastily arranged friendly saw them come to the Brandywell on Tuesday 11th January 1994.

In an entertaining game Derry found themselves in trouble on just a couple of occasions.

They went in at half time leading by what was to be the only goal of the match. In first half injury time Pascal Vaudequin’s right wing cross was headed down on the far side of the eighteen by Paul Kinnaird, it bounced awkwardly in front of the keeper and an alert Gary Heaney (who had come on as a sub ten minutes earlier for the injured Joe Lawless) pounced to head the ball home.

Just before the deadlock was broken City keeper Dermot

By Francie McCauley O’Neill had done well to stop a shot from Telfer at the back post. Overall, Luton’s finishing was abysmal with Dixon blasting over the bar on sixty-eight minutes and Oakes failing to accurately direct a header on goal when in the clear.

With the clock running down Liam Curran had a chance to double the Candystripes’ lead. He was put through with a delightful pass from Heaney but his shot went straight at the visiting keeper.

For City, Donal O’Brien and Kinnaird played well but Stuart Gauld was outstanding for them with timely challenges, intelligent use of the ball and superb reading of the game.

John Hartson came on as a sub for ‘The Hatters’ in the second half but they later finished with just ten men when Linton went off with concussion but, by then, they had used all their substitutes. Luton were to finish the season in twentieth position in the Frist Division.

Considering the match had been arranged only days previously the club produced an excellent match programme: twenty-four pages (with just three of adverts) for £1. We had a ‘Welcome to Tonight’s Visitors’, two pages of ‘Luton Town Pen Pictures’ and ‘Well Done

Doc’ congratulating caretaker manager Tony O’Doherty on the improvements he had brought to the local team.

‘Player of the Month for December’ was Liam Coyle. ‘Talking Alone In The Old Rocking Chair’ by ‘Mickie Brock’ was a surreal take on writing an item for the programme. Photos from the recent Galway United game took up the middle pages while Eddie Logue had an article entitled ‘Eurocamp – June 1990’.

Robert Martin, of the Post Office Supporters Club featured in ‘Fans Focus’. There was an item on Luton’s FA Cup final appearance in 1959. ‘By Way of Interest’ told us Derry’s wage bill in 1969 was £300.

‘Player Profile’ featured Donal O’Brien and to finish things off we had the ‘Half Time Quiz’ with the line ups on the back page.

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DID I SAY THAT?!

Last year just after former England Manager Sven -Goran Ericsson died aged 76, I came across some of his comments on the beautiful game and I thought I’d do an article on his and other Manager’s quotations, mostly funny but sometimes profound.

The Swede once said “Football is important, football is my life: I love it but life is more important than football.”

On his private life he then said he preferred to keep that private. In 1989 as Manager of Benfica he came to Derry to do a “reki” before his side met the Candystripes. He was accompanied by Eddie Mahon who asked him on their drive to the Everglades did he ever get fed up staying in hotels.

He replied “Absolutely“ and ended up bedding down In Eddie’s home! ~ but that’s a story for another day.

He left some years later to go

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By Sean McGillan

to Roma and he said sometime after that “When I was in Italy in the 90s and early 2000s everyone wanted to go to Italy, all the players.”

Another visitor to the Brandywell who came to guest for us v Leicester, Steve Bruce, was quoted as saying “I suppose it’s better to be a lucky manager than a good one!“ After his team Wigan lost 3-0 to Arsenal he said “They’ve kicked our backsides, we’ve got to lick our wounds!” On another occasion he praised Paul Scholes as “a fantastic player.

There’s not a weakness that he hasn’t got.”

Martin O’ Neill, Kilrea native and Ireland

Manager recalled “Seamus Coleman is quiet by nature.

He comes in here, he’d be very well mannered. Take him on to the field and he is a man possessed.”

Martin told us “I couldn’t even spell blog and my children are incredibly embarrassed that I couldn’t open a... what do you call it... a computer. But I’m going to.”

Another former manager, Graham Taylor is reputed to have said “Footballers are no different from human beings.”

Bobby Robson, another England boss once boasted “Well we got 9 and you can’t score more than that” Finally, Uruguayan player Gus Poyet & former Brighton Manager explained “I don’t know why Glenn Murray took the penalty. I suppose because he is our penalty taker!“

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NEWS FROM AROUND THE LEAGUE

2025 LEAGUE TABLE: Pld Pts Shelbourne

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6

Drogheda Utd

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4

Galway United

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4

Waterford

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3

Bohemians

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3

DERRY CITY

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3

Cork City

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1

St. Pat’s Athletic

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1

Shamrock Rvrs

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0

Sligo Rovers

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Last Round’s Results:

FRIDAY 21st FEBRUARY DERRY CITY 1-0 Bohemian Galway Utd 2-1 St Pat’s Athletic Waterford 0-1 Shelbourne Drogheda United 3-0 Sligo Rvrs FRIDAY 21st FEBRUARY Shamrock Rvrs P-P Cork City

NEXT GAME:

This Round’s Fixtures: FRIDAY 28th FEBRUARY DERRY CITY v Waterford St Pat’s Athletic v Sligo Rovers Shelbourne v Shamrock Rovers Drogheda United v Galway Utd Cork City v Bohemians

Derry City vs Galway United Friday 7th March, 7.45pm

DERRY CITY FEATUE IN TEAM OF THE WEEK Derry City midfielder Michael Duffy and centre half Sam Todd both made it into the League Of Ireland Premier Division Team Of The Week this week after the win against Bohemians here at the Brandywell last Friday night.

Michael Duffy, 30, now has two goals in two games after scoring against Shelbourne on the opening night as well as his fantastic free kick last week.

Sam Todd, 26, has returned to Derry City after being on loan at Tiernan Lynch’s Larne last season and has started both games this season so far at centre half Well done lads!

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LAST FRIDAY NIGHT’S GAME...

DERRY CITY 1 - 0 BOHEMIANS: A greatly improved performance saw Derry City claim all three points from the visit of Bohemians last week

DERRY CITY 1 - 0 BOHEMIANS: A Michael Duffy direct free-kick was enough to win the game, which also saw both managers sent off

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C IS FOR CHILDHOOD...

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

CIARON HARKIN

It was always Derry City. Just being from here and my Da and Granda didn’t give me a choice from a young age! They had me all over the country at away games!

Las Vegas! I’ve been there before but I’d definitely have to go again in the future!

I IS FOR IDOL...

Which footballer did you idolise as a boy?

Wayne Rooney. I didn’t support Man United or anything but I went to few games to see him play.

D IS FOR DRESS SENSE...

Which Derry City team mate has the worst fashion sense?

Has to be Farmer Pat! Pat Hoban!

A IS FOR ANNOYING...

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

That has to be Danny Mullan! I think he has a bowel problem you know!

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.

E IS FOR ENTERTAINMENT...

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

Music-wise, it’d be High School Musical, ‘Breaking Free’ or something!

F IS FOR FUNNY...

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

I’ve seen a lot of funny things!

Maybe some I can’t mention!

Marty McCann pranking the players that he split his head on the goalpost with fake blood is up there though!

G IS FOR GOAL...

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

I scored a free kick for Derry City U19 in the Foyle Cup that was probably the best.

H IS FOR HOLIDAY...

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

J IS FOR JOKER...

Who is the biggest practical joker in the team?

Gavin Whyte!

K IS FOR KIT...

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

Favourite kit is probably the red and white stripes. So any of the home Derry City ones. I don’t think I’ve had one that I didn’t like.

L IS FOR LIFE AFTER PLAYING...

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

After playing I’d like to stay in

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the game whether it’s coaching or maybe managing some day.

M IS FOR MEMENTO...

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

The Match ball from when I scored a hattrick.

N IS FOR NEXT BIG THING...

S IS FOR SKILLS...

Who has the best skills in the team?

I’m going to back myself this one and say me!

T IS FOR TEAM MATES...

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

Micheal Duffy or Patrick McEleney

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

Sean Patton has lot of potential and I’ve have no doubt he can make the move some day.

were in the Premiership?

I have an Audi Q3 now, and I’d probably get an Audi Q8 on big money!

W IS FOR WHILE AWAY THE TIME...

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

Just listening to music or playing card games.

X IS FOR EXCHANGE...

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

Rory McIlroy!

O IS FOR OPPOSITION...

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

My favourite away games would have to be Sligo or Drogheda

P IS FOR PASSTIME...

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

I like to play golf but, I’m very bad at it! Apart from that just spend time with my family.

Q IS FOR QUIZ...

U IS FOR UNPARALLELED...

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

Played against Niko Kranjcar when we played Rangers in a friendly.

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

Glen McCourt 100%!

Y IS FOR YOUTH...

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

I started at Trojans when I was around 4. I played in nets and right wing sometimes as well though!

R IS FOR RESULT...

Which result meant the most to you in your career?

Probably the both Cup Finals I have been involved in. Winning the Irish Cup with Coleraine and winning FAI Cup Final with Derry although I was injured, the feeling was still amazing and being apart of it was special!

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Z IS FOR ZERO CHANCE...

V IS FOR VEHICLE...

What car do you drive now, and what would you drive if you

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

Rangers! I don’t think my Da wouldnt speak to me again! lol

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DCFC ACADEMY RESULTS

U14 – Derry City 2-1 St. Patrick’s Athl Goals: Darragh Fleming, Corey Gillespie

U15 – St. Patrick’s Ath 6-1 Derry City Goal: Michael McColgan

U17 – Derry City 0-2 St. Patrick’s Ath

U20 – St. Patrick’s Ath 5-0 Derry City

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TONIGHT’S SQUADS DERRY CITY F.C.

WATERFORD 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 - KEVIN HOLT 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 - STEPHEN MCMULLAN 2 - NAVAJO BAKBOORD 3 - RYAN BURKE 4 - ANDY BOYLE 5 - GRANT HORTON 6 - ROWAN MCDONALD 7 - BEN MCCORMACK 8 - JAMES OLAYINKA 9 - PÁDRAIG AMOND 10 - MATTY SMITH 11 - MAARTEN POUWELS 15 - DARRAGH LEAHY 16 - KYLE WHITE 17 - KACPER RADKOWSKI 18 - TOMMY LONERGAN 20 - CONAN NOONAN 24 - LIAM ROBERTS 25 - JASON HEALY 27 - DEAN MCMENAMY 31 - BRAD WADE 33 - RONAN MANSFIELD 99 - TRAE COYLE

Manager: TIERNAN LYNCH

Manager: KEITH LONG

Tonight’s Match Sponsors:

Rossdowney Park, Derry

www.geeswineshop.co.uk 21

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: Paul McMullan (10) + Ronan Boyce (2) - Ciaron Harkin (4) = Adam O’Reilly (8) SPOT THE DIFFERENCE: 1) Coach on the left has disappeared; 2) Paul McMullan’s left leg has disappeared; 3) Extra cone has appeared on the left; 4) Ben Doherty’s tattoo has gone; 5) Ben Doherty’s shorts are missing their badge

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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 Andy Sweeney is tonight’s entrant into Derry City’s Cityview Fanzone page. Andy, a keen supporter of some 37 years has some very interesting views to share. Welcome to the Fanzone Andy.

Name: Andy Sweeney How long have you been supporting Derry City?

My whole life, 37 years Where do you sit in the Brandywell?

Southend stand back row block H row H right on the half way line best seats in the house Best Player you’ve seen playing for the Candystripes?

The late Mark Farren

when he just came back from England, I’ll never forget it I was actually sat beside a few of his family that night, the man was so exciting to watch What’s the best ground, apart from the Brandywell, that you’ve seen Derry play in?

I’m going to go against popular opinion and say Shamrock Rovers Tallaght Stadium is a great set up for football What goal sticks out in your mind?

Liam Coyles goal in extra time against Finn Harps in the play offs Why? I was standing behind the goals that night and when the Brandywell erupted the roar was phenomenal, probably because it meant so much and who the opposition was as well Name your best Derry City team (you can pick from any era) One to Eleven with Three subs Nets Davy Forde, LB Danny Lafferty,

CB Stewart Graecen CB Ryan McBride RB “Steady” Eddie McCallionLW James McClean CM “Fats” & Pat McCourt RW Niall McGinn FW Liam Coyle FW Mark Farren Best manager you’ve seen at Derry City?

Can’t not like Decky Devine.

Nice fella too, It’s a pity it didn’t work out at Derry, he’s doing well up and Glentoran and took two good players recently in Coll and big Shane McEleney Favourite half time snack?

Rays chip van cheese burger and chips and a bottle of coke I miss the old tuck shop in the back of the Southend stand for a cuppa tea and a mars bar on a cold winters night What one thing would you introduce that you feel would improve the match day experience?

A scoreboard wouldn’t go amiss and a new Tannoy system

Why? His eye for goal was something else, a real classy player a lovely fella as well Best opposition player you’ve seen play?

Pat McCourt with Shamrock Rovers Why? His hatrick for rovers against us

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1300TH GAME IN THE LOI The home game against Bohemians last week was our 1300th league game in League of Ireland football.

Our first league game came on Sunday 20th October 1985, when we played a 1-1 draw against Emfa at Buckley Park, with Barry McCreadie getting our first league gaol and also our first goal outside Brandywell. Six weeks earlier he also scored the club’s first competitive goal in a 3-1 home win over Home Farm in our first competitive game.

Both Kevin Mahon and Kevin McKeever made their Derry City debuts in our first league game at Emfa.

In our 1300 league games, we have faced 25 different opponents, many of who have departed the senior ranks, including Dublin City, Home Farm, Emfa/Kilkenny City, Mervue United, Monaghan United, Newcastle United/Newcastlewest and Salthill Devon.

In our 1300 league games we have won 565, drawn 368 and lost 367, scoring 1811 goals and conceding 1254, while keeping 507 clean sheets.

Our most frequent opponent has been Bohemians, who we have played 123 times, followed by St Patrick’s Athletic 118, Shamrock Rovers 117 and Cork City 109.

We have beaten Bohemians most often 57 times, followed

by St Patrick’s Athletic 41 and UCD 38.

We have lost most often against Shamrock Rovers 45 times, followed by Cork City 43 and St Patrick’s Athletic 39.

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437 players have represented the club in our 1300 league games, with most league appearances from Peter Hutton with 507, followed by Eddie McCallion 411, Paul Curran 384, Gerard Doherty 354, Sean Hargan 330, Gary Beckett 307, Liam Coyle 301, Gareth McGlynn 276, while Stuart Gauld and Barry Molloy complete the top 10 with 252 league games each.

221 players have scored league goals for the club, with most goals jointly from Liam Coyle and Mark Farren with 85 each, followed by Jonathan Speak with 69.

In the same game last week, Paul McMullan made his 50th league appearance and also his 50th consecutive league appearance, having not missed a game since making his debut against Sligo Rovers in July 2023.

Paul becomes the 104th player to make 50 league appearances for the club in League of Ireland football.

The first player to play 50 league games for the club was Kevin Mahon in December 1987, as we beat Galway United

By Brian Dunleavy

3-0 at Terryland Park with goals from Jonathon Speak (2) and Owen Da Gama. Owen DaGama in a home game against Shelbourne in March 1988, was the second player to reach 50 league games, followed by Stuart Gauld against Athlone Town at St Mel’s Park in Oct 1988.

Last season, Cameron Dummigan, Sadou Diallo, Adam O’Reilly and Mark Connolly all made their 50th league appearance for the club.

It is just the 18th time a player has made 50 consecutive league appearances for the club in our League of Ireland history, and it is just the third time in 12 years.

The first player to make 50 consecutive league appearances was Tim Dalton and Mick Neville in an away game against Galway United in Dec 1989, while Paul Curran was third a year later. The last player to reach 50 consecutive league games was Brian Maher in July 2023 in a home game against Sligo Rovers, which by coincidence was the game where, Paul McMullan made his City debut.

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WORLD RECORD SCORELINES! What’s the world record for the highest scoreline ever recorded in a professional football match?

Well, you might be surprised to hear that it’s significantly higher than the record in international football that most people might have heard about when Australia famously beat American Samoa 31-0. in 2002, Madagascan sides, Stad Olympic de l’Emyrne, and A.S. Adema, faced off in the final round of the THB Champions League.

The tournament was a 14-round robin to determine the Madagascan League Champions, but this final game had been rendered needless after the league crown went to Adema after the reigning champions at the time, SO l’Emyrne, was held to a 3–3 draw by DSA Antananarivo in their penultimate match, during which the referee awarded a late and disputed penalty to Antananarivo, resulting in a draw.

That draw meant that SOE was knocked out of the title race. With the championship already decided, SOE decided to protest; according to some sources, there was an argument between the SOE coach and the referee himself. SOE deliberately scored 149 own goals, with reports

By Andrew Cassidy

showing that after each kick-off, the ball was kicked into their own goal with the opposition players looking bemused. Some reports suggested that certain spectators approached ticket booths requesting refunds.

Following the match, the Malagasy Football Federation (FMF) suspended SOE coach Ratsimandresy Ratsarazaka for three years and four of the team’s players, SOE captain Manitranirina Andrianiaina, goalkeeper Dominique Rakotonandrasana, Mamisoa Razafindrakoto (who was the captain of the Madagascar national football team) and Nicolas Rakotoarimanana, were suspended until the end of the season and banned from visiting stadiums in the same period. All other players from both teams received a warning and a threat of more

serious action should they commit further offenses. The FMF nullified all of SOE’s results from the 2002 season.

The club later dissolved in 2006, though no direct link was officially cited.

The referee was not punished, as the situation was deemed to be out of his control, while Madagascar’s sports ministry proceeded to dissolve the FMF, which was later reconstituted.

The 149-0 scoreline still holds the Guinness World Record for the biggest victory in association football history to this day.

Prior to this match, the previous highest scoreline was 36–0, in which Arbroath beat Bon Accord in the Scottish Cup in 1885. Still disputed by some as the real record holder as the game in Madagascar was clearly thrown!

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CANDYSTRIPES AND BLUES: PLAYERS WHO PLAYED FOR BOTH ADAM O’REILLY A Derry City player since early 2023, Adam O’Reilly spent the first half of the 2021 campaign on loan at Waterford from Preston North End. In fact, the Cork native started in the Brandywell in a 2-1 win for the Munstermen in April 2021. A former Ireland U17 international, O’Reilly began his career at Ringmahon Rangers, the same club that Liverpool’s Caoimhín Kelleher started out with, before signing for Preston North End. After loans in the English non-leagues, and the aforementioned six months with Waterford, O’Reilly spent 2022 on loan at St. Patrick’s Athletic before making the permanent switch to Derry. An ever present in the heart of the City midfield due to his tenacity, work-rate and ability to break up the play, O’Reilly was one of City’s best players last year. The 23 year old recently put pen-to-paper on a new two-year deal, keeping him on Foyleside until the end of the 2026 campaign.

MATT SMITH Former Celtic forward Matt Smith made the move to Ireland in 2020, joining Waterford after appearing for Dundee United, Montrose and Cove Rangers in Scotland. Impressing during the COVID disrupted campaign of 2020, Smith netted twice in blue before signing for St. Patrick’s Athletic in 2021. A key part of their FAI Cup winning side that year, it seemed that Ruaidhrí Higgins had

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By Pól O’Hare

pulled off a real coup in bringing the striker to the Brandywell in 2022. It didn’t quite work out for Smith however, who scored three goals in twenty appearances at Derry City and was sent off against Riga FC in European qualifiers. He joined Shelbourne on loan in July 2022 before signing on a permanent basis in 2023. Leaving Tolka Park with a league winner’s medal at the end of the 2024 campaign, Smith recently returned to Waterford on a long-term contract after making 30 appearances last season.

COLM WHELAN Colm Whelan joined Waterford from his local Thomastown United as a 16 year old in 2016.

After just five senior appearances, the forward made the move to UCD, where he recorded an impressive 44 goals in 66 games in two seasons. A serious knee injury curtailed his 2022 season before Derry City swooped to sign the Ireland U21 striker,

who was also the subject of interest from sides in England.

Whelan scored twice in three appearances for City in 2023 before suffering another ACL injury against Shamrock Rovers in April. He came back into the Derry set-up last summer as he returned to full fitness and netted in a 2-0 win away to Dundalk in October. Upon the expiration of his contract with City at the end of the season, the 24 year old reunited with former Waterford boss and Derry assis-

LIVE FOR IT

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

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PLAYED FOR BOTH continued... tant manager Alan Reyolds by signing for Bohemians ahead of the new campaign.

CIAN KAVANAGH Dublin native Cian Kavanagh began his career with St. Pat’s before joining Hearts of Midlothian as a sixteen year old.

After failing to make a senior appearance, as well as a loan to Cowdenbeath, Kavanagh returned to Ireland to sign for Waterford in 2021. He scored nine goals in 33 games in Munster, also playing in all of Waterford’s games against Derry City in the 2021 campaign. The Candystripes then swooped to secure the signing of the targetman in the summer of 2022.

Kavanagh netted five goals for City, two of which came home and away against KuPS to send Derry to the third round of UEFA Conference League qualifying in 2023. He returned to St. Pat’s after 18 months at Derry City ahead of the 2024 campaign, but found gametime limited following Stephen Kenny’s arrival as he scored twice in 18 league games. Still just 22, Kavanagh recently signed a twoyear deal with Sligo Rovers. He had a debut to forget, however, as he missed a penalty against

Waterford on the opening day of the 2025 season.

PATRICK MCCLEAN A product of Derry City’s academy, Patrick McClean made the move south to Waterford after two years of involvement with City’s senior team ahead of the 2017 campaign. After just one season with the Blues, where the defender scored twice in 27 games, McClean signed for Sligo Rovers in 2018. A year later and the then 22 year old returned to Derry for a second spell. With 24 appearances in all in in red and white, McClean switched to Belfast side Glentoran in July 2019.

The centre back has made over 180 appearances for the Glens, where he is managed by Derryman Declan Devine and plays alongside former City players Ciarán Coll, Shane McEleney and Joe Thomson. Wassim Aouachria and Christie Pattison are two former Waterford players currently on the books with the East Belfast outfit.

DAVID MCDAID Another Derry man, Davy McDaid joined City from Tristar in 2008 and broke into the first team in the summer of 2009 after loans to Sligo Rovers and Finn Harps. The striker joined York City after the 2012 campaign but returned to the Candystripes in July 2013, going on to maek 133 appearances for his hometown club. Moves to Coleraine and Cliftonville followed before McDaid found himself back in the League of Ireland, this time with Waterford in 2017. Davy McDaid established himself as a fan’s favourite in his

only year at Waterford before making the move to Larne at the end of the campaign. Nearly 60 goals followed in five years in Antrim before the striker signed for Ballymena United. Now 34, McDaid has bagged twelve goals for Glenavon this season.

BASTIEN HÉRY A joy to watch on his day, Madagascan midfielder Bastien Héry made his Waterford debut against Derry City in February 2018. A product of Paris Saint Germain’s academy, Héry played for Rochdale, Carlisle United and Accrington Stanley in the English Football League before moving to Limerick in 2017. After impressing in his season in Limerick, Héry became integral in the Waterford midfield and won the club’s Player of the Year and Goal of the Season awards in 2018. A move to Linfield in July 2019 followed, before switching to Bohemians in 2021. After a solitary start in Phibsborough, Héry signed for Derry on loan in July – failing to score in eleven appearances. Now 32, the midfielder finds himself at Athlone Town in the First Division after spells at Finn Harps, Galway United and Longford Town.

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This week... Derry City fan... MICHAEL DOHERTY 1. How many of Waterford’s squad tonight have formally played for Derry City?

4.

2. Arsenal won the EPL, Cork City won the FAI Cup, St Patrick’s Athletic won the league, and France won the World Cup. What was the year?

3. Two clubs share Stadio Luigi Ferraris in Italy. Genoa, and which other club?

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

5. Which English Premier League ground has a stand

7. called The Holte End?

6. Waterford played their last European game against Bordeaux in 1986–87 in which now defunct European competition?

7. Waterford manager Keith Long took over the reigns in 2023, but which manager came before him?

8. Juventus have 6 players who played over 500 ganes for the club, but who holds the record for playing the most?

MICHAEL’ ANSWERS: 1) One?; 2) 1998; 3) Pass!; 4) No idea who that is!; 5) Villa Park; 6) Into-toto Cup; 7) Can’t remember; 8) Must be Buffon?

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

ANSWERS: 1) One (Matty Smith); 2) 1998; 3) Sampdoria; 4) Sergio Ramos; 5) Villa Park (Aston Villa); 6) European Cup Winners’ Cup; 7) Danny Searle; 8) Alessandro Del Piero (705)

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BE THE CHALLENGER! CONTACT ANDREW@DERRYCITYFC.NET

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