CityView Vol-41 No-03 - Derry City vs Galway United - Friday 7th March

DERRY CITY F.C. v GALWAY UNITED F.C. LEAGUE OF IRELAND MEN’S PREMIER DIVISION FRIDAY 7TH MARCH 2025 | 7.45pm Vol. 41 - No. 03

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Welcome to...

GALWAY UNITED 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 tonight’s game against Galway United.

Welcome also to John Caulfield as well as his players and staff, and the officials and supporters who have travelled from Galway this evening.

Galway beat us twice in four games last season. One game ended in a draw and one Derry win here at the Brandywell in June. Pat Hoban and Will Patching with the goals.

We’re four games into the season here tonight and we’ve had a bad start to the season undoubtedly. One win, three losses and two red cards for manager Tiernan Lynch, and for Carl Winchester who will be suspended here tonight.

It was always going to be a building process though. As the team on the pitch and the management team find their

feet, we have to get behind them and trust the process.

Albeit, that one win against Bohemians is managing to keep us from bottom thanks to a terrible start by Shamrock Rovers, it just goes to show, any team in this league can end up in the bottom half, but don’t forget the surge that Rovers had last season late on.

Derry will likely need to get something similar together this season if we’re to be in and around the top 3 or 4 at the end of the season.

TONIGHT’S MATCH OFFICIALS: Referee: NEIL DOYLE

Assistant 1: Robert Clarke |Assistant 2: Ciaran O’Reilly Fourth Official: Mark Houlihan

TONIGHT’S MATCH SPONSOR:

www.jandkcoaches.co.uk Phone:028 8673 7776

PLEASE SUPPORT ALL OUR SPONSORS

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MESSAGE FROM THE MANAGER

We’re closing out a busy week tonight with our third game in seven days and it goes without saying that the last two results have been frustrating for all of us.

We gave ourselves a mountain to climb against Waterford with a sluggish start last Friday and although the second half was much better, we were unable to capitalise on some huge chances to take something from the game.

Having already fallen foul of the disciplinary process this year I felt that it was best to say as little as possible about Monday night and it’s an evening from which we just have to move on.

I completely understand that supporters are disappointed with the defeats and I can assure you there’s nobody hurting more than this group.

Obviously the fixtures don’t get any easier as we go, but that’s a challenge to relish as we welcome an in-form

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Galway United to the Brandywell this evening.

John Caulfield and Ollie Horgan are two very knowledgeable men who have a wealth of experience in this league.

Their side has won one and drawn the other three fixtures so far and they will provide us with a very stern test.

There’s been a real resolve among the players in training this week and it’s important now we use that energy positively.

We have a really good squad of players here and while we know it isn’t an instant process, I also accept that we need to learn from

these early experiences.

Tonight is our third home Friday night in a row but is also our last game here for a month. That’s all the more reason for wanting to finish this run of games on a high, and that is absolutely our ambition.

As I said, we’re well aware how difficult an opponent that Galway United will be, but it’s up to us be ready to deal with that.

Enjoy the game

Tiernan Lynch, Manager

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ARDS VS DERRY CITY 1995 In what was a busy pre-season the Candystripes travelled to take on Ards at Castlereagh Park on Wednesday 2nd August 1995. It was the club’s first visit to the venue since an Ulster Cup fixture in the same month in 1972 which Ards had won five nil. City manager Willie Ross was ill and hadn’t travel to the game. Derry went a goal down after eight seconds! Our line up that day was: Young, Sharkey, Mc Nutt, K. Mc Cool, Mc Dowell, Mc Laughlin, Kilburn, L. Mc Cool, B. Ward, Clifford and Houston (sub Barr).

Twenty-three years later City got ample revenge winning 4-1 on what was described as a billiard table surface. Derry, with Liam Coyle terrorising the home defence, were devastating breaking with pace particularly down the right side.

Following a neat build up

By Francie McCauley the Candystripes went in front on ten minutes, Peter Hutton’s through ball was flicked on by Paul Doolin to Harry Mc Court who clinically finished past Shaw.

Ards were level within five minutes though when Hall rose unmarked to meet Telford’s right wing cross.

The home side could have gone in front shortly after but Tony O’Dowd got down well to deflect Hall’s shot for a corner.

It was City however who took the lead on thirtyfour minutes when Paul Carlyle crashed a tremendous twenty-yard right foot drive into the net and two minutes later Tom Mohan carefully steered the ball over the goal line from close range. Paul Curran and Sandy Frazer then went close for the visitors before the interval.

Despite using seven substitutes Derry controlled the second half knocking the ball about with ease.

Twenty minutes from time Liam Coyle who previously had a header cleared off the line was rewarded for his all-round contribution; a Gary Heaney cross was headed back into the box

by Gareth Gorman and Coyle scored with a closerange header.

A neat eight-page programme (with no adverts) was on sale for 50p. The front cover features a pen-

cil drawing of a footballer in the broad stripes of Ards. The content began with a page of information on the Newtownards club which showed Harry Cavan as their President (thirty years on from when he wasn’t a popular figure among City supporters!). There was a ‘Welcome to Derry’ which highlighted players recently representing both clubs – Paul Mooney, Marty Mc Cann, John Sayers and Gary Heaney - and a ‘Manager’s Notes’ from Roy Coyle who following his spell at the Candystripes had returned to manage Ards.

Two pages were dedicated to pen pics of the Derry squad plus a full-page profile of City’s Harry Mc Court who, when previously playing for Ards, had scored twenty-nine goals in seventy-four appearances. Line ups were on the back page.

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THE BEST PLAYER TO NEVER WIN A TROPHY? That’s a harder question than it sounds, and it involves all sorts of players from all sorts of different eras. So in no particular order, here is a list who left the sport with plenty of individual recognition, but without ever having lifted a major team trophy.

HARRY KANE An obvious place to start.

He’s captained his country to World Cups and European Championships, he’s won Golden Boots and Player of the Season Awards, and he’s even appeared in a Champions League final in 2019, but he is still yet to capture a major title. Individually, he has stacks of awards. He was included in the Premier League’s team of the season six times and his Tottenham’s all-time record goalscorer. When he moved to the Bundesliga and Bayern Munich in 2023, he even became the most expensive player in the history of German football.

He does of course still have time to leave this list, but while the chance for international honours is now dwindling, he and Bay-

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ern will surely contend in the Bundesliga before much longer. But Kane might not even be the greatest English player never to win anything.

JOHNNY HAYNES Fulham’s Johnny Haynes, who once finished third in the Ballon d’Or voting and has his own statue outside Fulham’s Craven Cottage, was actually the first British-based player to be paid £100 per week. But in a career spanning the 1950s and 60s, he never won a trophy.

TOM FINNEY Tom Finney spent almost his entire career at Preston and was unquestionably one of the finest wingers in the history of British football. He was a two-time footballer of the year in England, but he never required the winner’s medal collection to go with that status and he retired in 1963.

MATT LETISSIER Matt was always a one-club man, remaining loyal to Southampton, and for a period in the 1990s made the PL Goal of the Season award practically his own. He never won anything

though.

STAN COLLYMORE Stan Collemore was one of the most gifted players of his generation, playing for Liverpool, Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest among others. But again, never managed to win a tropjy.

GIUSEPPE SIGNORI Outside of England, you might remember Giuseppe Signori.

The Lazio forward, with a wand of a left foot and an unorthodox two-step penalty-taking technique, was one of the deadliest strikers in Italy in the 1990s and was a three-time top scorer in Serie A. But while he did win league titles at lower levels of the game, he never actually won a major competition.

ANTONIO DI NATALE The closest DiNatale came was in 2012, when Italy reached the final of that year’s European Championship. They were beaten by Spain, though, and Di Natale, who was actually Italian footballer of the year in 2010, never got over the line during

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BEST PLAYER NEVER TO WIN A TROPHY continued... a career spent mainly between Empoli and Udinese.

Hertha Berlin and briefly Blackburn Rovers during his career, but never won a trophy of any kind.

INTERNATIONAL HONOURS

JULEN GUERRERO Guerrero’s career with Athletic Bilbao came at the perfect time.

He broke through in the early 1990s, when the game was becoming mainstream, and his good looks and elegant dribbling made him a natural star.

Guerrero could score all sorts of goals and do almost anything, except win trophies. He was a true one-club man, spending his entire career between 1992 and 2006 with Athletic Club.

YILDIRAY BAŞTÜRK Bayer Leverkusen had many near misses at the turn of the millennium. And while some of their players went on to win trophies elsewhere, like Michael Ballack and Lucio the Brazilian defender, one who didn’t, was Yıldıray Baştürk.

The Turkish attacking midfielder was a sensational player for a Leverkusen team that went to a Champions League final in 2002, were runners up in the Bundesliga in 2000 and 2002, and beaten finalists in the the German Cup in the same year.

Baştürk also played for Stuttgart,

SÓCRATES And finally, dispelling the urban myths and assumptions around international football.

It’s always assumed that Sócrates, the legendary Brazilian midfielder must have won a World Cup at some point. But that’s not true.

Sócrates did win league titles in domestic Brazilian league football with Corinthians, but he never won a thing with Brazil. His 60 caps were won after the Great 1970s era, and before the team’s resurgence in the 1990s. He never played in the World Cup final, and the closest he came to an international trophy was a 3-1 defeat to Uruguay in the final of the 1983 Coppa America.

Sócrates was included in World Soccer’s list of the 100 Greatest Players in history and with South America’s Footballer of the Year in 1983, but he was never a continental or world champion.

JOHAN CRYUFF And nor was Johan Cryuff, who won everything there was to win in club football and captured league titles in the Netherlands and Spain, but was never able to lead the Dutch to glory.

PAOLO MALDINI Maldini played for his country for 14 years, he won 126 caps, but he lost the 1994 World Cup final on penalties and the 2000 Euro’s final to David Trezeguet’s golden goal.

JUAN ROMÁN RIQUELME Riquelme played over 50 times for Argentina between 1997 and 2008, but never won any trophies with his national team RAÚL Lastly, (and not mentioning the long list of England stars who have never won an international trophy) Spain and Real Madrid legend Raúl played over 100 times for Spain between 1996 and 2006, and like Riquelme, his country never managed to lift a trophy dueing this period, despite sharing the panel with some of the best players in Spin’s history.

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NEWS FROM AROUND THE LEAGUE

2025 LEAGUE TABLE: Pld Pts Waterford

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Drogheda Utd

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8

Shelbourne

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St. Pat’s Athletic

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Last Round’s Results:

This Round’s Fixtures:

Galway United

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6

Cork City

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Bohemians

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3

Sligo Rovers

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DERRY CITY

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MONDAY 3rd MARCH St Pats Athl 2-0 DERRY CITY Galway Utd 1-1 Shelbourne Bohemians 0-1 Drogheda Utd Waterford 1-1 Cork City Sligo Rvrs 2-1 Shamrock Rvrs

FRIDAY 7th MARCH DERRY CITY v Galway United Shamrock Rvrs v St Pat’s Athletic Shelbourne v Drogheda United Waterford v Bohemians Cork City v Sligo Rovers

Shamrock Rvrs

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NEXT GAME:

Derry City vs Cork City Friday 4th April, 7.45pm

DERRY CITY LEGENDS

The Derry City Legends squad to played Ballymagroarty Celtic recently with all proceeds going to Foyle Search & Rescue

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C IS FOR CHILDHOOD...

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

ARLO DOHERTY

I’m a massive Arsenal fan, as probably the whole squad knows! My uncle and Grandad are as well, so i had no choice really!

D IS FOR DRESS SENSE...

Which Derry City team mate has the worst fashion sense?

I would have said Aaron Heaney when he was here! i’m not even gonna say too much but one word... Shocking!

A IS FOR ANNOYING...

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

Definitely Shane Ferguson! He doesn’t stop speaking! Rubbish most of the time, and half the time i can’t understand him!!

B IS FOR BOX...

H IS FOR HOLIDAY...

What is your favourite holiday destination? Or where would you like to go no expense spared? i was very lucky to go Disney land Florida as a kid and found that very magical so I’ve always wanted to go again, but I’ve always wanted to go on a solo travelling trip to Thailand or a place like that.

I IS FOR IDOL...

E IS FOR ENTERTAINMENT... Which footballer did you idolIt’s your turn to choose the music and the film for the team bus for the boys. What are your choices? i’d just shuffle Post Malone.

He’s all I listen to to be honest!

I’m not a massive film guy but to get the boys laughing I’d put on White Chicks!

F IS FOR FUNNY...

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

I’d say my comfort show would be Friends. i can watch that everyday and not be bored!

But of all time i’d say Prison Break.

threw it to me from a throw in and i’ve scored an overhead kick from 18 yards out! Best moment ever!

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

Once when i was 11 I remember i received a passback from my defender and it rolled completely underneath my foot and went out for a corner.

At the time me and my manager didn’t see the funny side of it but now I definitely do!

G IS FOR GOAL...

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

With my local team i always used to train outfield as I hated being in goal and a boy

ise as a boy? i loved Manuel Neuer! He’s done so much for football and how people see goalkeepers now. I would watch him train and play on youtube everyday!

J IS FOR JOKER...

Who is the biggest practical joker in the team?

Jackie is very funny. I’d have to say him!

K IS FOR KIT...

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

The Derry ‘keeper kit. The pink one. It’s so nice!!

L IS FOR LIFE AFTER PLAYING...

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

Yes of course. My life is football! I don’t think I could ever leave it. I’ll be 50 and still want-

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ing to be a ‘keeper! Even just as 3rd choice keeper somewhere, training! But also punditry is something i’d like to do.

Arsenal 1-0 in the final of our regionals. it’s the first trophy i won and beating the team i support was also special!

M IS FOR MEMENTO...

S IS FOR SKILLS...

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

To be honest, i’m very sentimental!

I like to keep a lot of stuff that has value but probably one of my ireland kits when I had a cap.

Who has the best skills in the team?

Probably Micky Duffy. He’s so quick with what he does you just can’t stop him!

T IS FOR TEAM MATES...

Who is the best player you’ve

N IS FOR NEXT BIG ever played with?

THING...

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

Sean Patton. He’s quick, strong, a good finisher and works very hard.

Luke Mbete! Remember the name!

V IS FOR VEHICLE...

What car do you drive now, and what would you drive if you were in the Premiership? i drive a VW Polo which is a nice first car to help me learn to drive, but id definately have a Range Rover or G Wagon!

W IS FOR WHILE AWAY THE TIME...

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

A lot of Post Malone and just sleeping. i love my sleep!

X IS FOR EXCHANGE...

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

Luke Littler! What a player!

O IS FOR OPPOSITION...

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

Well I’m new to this league, but if you ask anyone from England, they will know Shamrock Rovers so I’d have to say them.

P IS FOR PASSTIME...

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

I like to go to the gym and do yoga so i find that peaceful.

Q IS FOR QUIZ...

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

Gavin Whyte! Clueless!

R IS FOR RESULT...

Which result meant the most to you in your career? i was at Man City when we beat

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U IS FOR UNPARALLELED...

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

Garnacho. He scored 2 against me and crushed my FA Youth Cup dreams!!

Y IS FOR YOUTH...

Where did you start your youth career, and did you always play in the same position? i started for my local team Kentish Town in London and i was forced to be a gk bc i was the biggest and the worst outfield and it just stuck from there

Z IS FOR ZERO CHANCE...

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

Tottenham!

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FEBRUARY MONTHLY DRAW WINNERS

Aisha from the Link Service Station, drew out the lucky numbers...

For more info and how to join No 607 - Charlie Harkin - £800 https://www.derrycityfc.net/monthlyNo 409 - Noreen Toland - £300 draw/

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TONIGHT’S SQUADS DERRY CITY F.C.

GALWAY UNITED 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 - BRENDAN CLARKE 2 - CIAN BYRNE 3 - REGAN DONELON 4 - ROB SLEVIN 5 - KILLIAN BROUDER 7 - STEPHEN WALSH 8 - GREG CUNNINGHAM 9 - MOSES DYER 10 - DAVID HURLEY 11 - DANIEL STYNES 12 - SEAN KERRIGAN 15 - PATRICK HICKEY 16 - EVAN WATTS 17 - VINCENT BORDEN 18 - BOBBY BURNS 19 - MAX WILSON 20 - JIMMY KEOHANE 21 - COLM HORGAN 22 - CONOR MCCORMACK 24 - ED MCCARTHY 26 - GARRY BUCKLEY 28 - BRIAN CUNNINGHAM 29 - CILLIAN TOLLETT 33 - JEANNOT ESUA

Manager: TIERNAN LYNCH

Manager: JOHN CAULFIELD

Tonight’s Match Sponsors:

www.jandkcoaches.co.uk | Phone:028 8673 7776

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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: Carl Winchester (20) + Paul McMullan (10) - Pat Hoban (9) = Danny Mullen (21) SPOT THE DIFFERENCE: 1) Linesman’s flag has disappeared; 2) Pillar in the stand has disappeared; 3) Extra ball has appeared beside Carl Winchester’s foot; 4) Tiernan Lynch’s hood has disappeared; 5) Jacket hanging on the right has disappeared

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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 In the Fanzone tonight is one of our younger supporters Zoe Roberts. Zoe, with a little help from older friends/relatives, gives her views on all things Derry City FC. Welcome to the Fanzone Zoe..

Best opposition player you’ve seen play?

Andrew Quinn Why? A really good player who helped his team take the lead in the last Cup Final.

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

Tolka Park. Home of Shelbourne What goal sticks out in your mind?

Michael Duffy’s goal against Shelbourne on 14th September 2024 Why? It was just a beautifully executed goal!

Name: Zoe Roberts How long have you been supporting Derry City?

I’ve been supporting Derry City for as long as I can remember

Name your best Derry City team (you can pick from any era) One to Eleven with Three subs I got some help with this one lol Russell Payne Stuart Gauld

Mick Neville Paul Hegarty Shaun Holmes Paddy McCourt Patrick Hoban Tony O’Doherty James McClean Jackie Fullerton Owen Morrison Subs: Declan Devine Gary Twigg Michael Holt.

Best manager you’ve seen at Derry City?

For me it has to be Ruaidhri Higgins Favourite half time snack?

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

I love it all the way it is!

Where do you sit in the Brandywell?

I sit in Block H Row H Best Player you’ve seen playing for the Candystripes?

Patrick Hoban Why? He is a top player and goal scorer who has settled well into the team and always gives 100%

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LAST TWO GAMES...

DERRY CITY 2 - 1 WATERFORD: Two defeats in four days started last Friday night here at the Brandywell. Kyle White after 9mins and Kacper Radkowski in the 38th minutwith the two goals for Waterford. Hoban from the penalty spot grabbed Derry’s goal.

ST PATRICK’S ATHLETIC 2 - 0 DERRY CITY: Two penalties conceded and one red card for Carl Winchester saw everything go wrong that possibly could have in Inchicore on Monday night. Aidan Keena converted both penalties for St Pats.

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CORK

ROVERS

WATERFORD

SLIGO

DROGHEDA

SHELS

BOHS

PATS

GALWAY

CORK

ROVERS

BOHS

SLIGO

WATERFORD

DROGHEDA

PATS

SHELS

GALWAY

BOHS

ROVERS

DROGHEDA

CORK

PATS

SHELS

WATERFORD

SLIGO

GALWAY

DROGHEDA

CORK

ROVERS

SLIGO

GALWAY

PATS

WATERFORD

BOHS

SHELS

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1--0

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SCORE

DATE

MAHER

MAHER

MAHER

1

4

5

CONNOLLY DUFFY

FERGUSON CONNOLLY DUFFY 1

FERGUSON CONNOLLY DUFFY 1

3

FERGUSON HARKIN

R BOYCE

R BOYCE

2

O’REILLY

O’REILLY

O’REILLY

6

WHYTE

DIALLO

HOBAN

7

THOMAS

THOMAS

THOMAS

8

10

WINCHESTER HOLT

WINCHESTER TODD

WINCHESTER TODD

9

L BOYCE

L BOYCE

L BOYCE

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13

HOBAN 1

HOBAN

DIALLO

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BENSON

DOHERTY

PATTON

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DOHERTY TODD

McMULLAN BENSON

McMULLAN WHYTE

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PATTON

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2025 STARTING XI TEAM GRID

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CANDYSTRIPES AND TRIBESMEN: PLAYERS WHO PLAYED FOR BOTH

By Pól O’Hare

CONOR MCCORMACK Conor McCormack left Manchester United in 2008 after a lack of first-team opportunities and joined Triestina Calcio in Italy. Two and half years and no senior appearances later, he signed for Shamrock Rovers and played a role in their Europa League group stage campaign of 2011. McCormack signed for Derry City for the first time in 2015 following a season and a half at St Patrick’s Athletic before leaving for Cork City in late 2016, where he would win the Premier Division title a year later. The Louth native, who has made is approaching 500 career appearances, rejoined the Candystripes in 2020 but left for Galway United in 2021. Aged 34, he captained the Tribesmen to the First Division title in 2023 and to a fifth placed finish on their return to the Premier Division in 2024.

TADHG RYAN After leaving Huddersfield Town in 2018, Tadhg Ryan signed for

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Galway United – then in the First Division. He left after one season and lined out for Cork City, Waterford, Treaty United and Bohemians before signing for Derry City ahead of the 2023 campaign. He was named Treaty United’s Player of the Year in 2021, before making 13 appearances as a Bohemians player prior to his move to Foyleside.

The 27 year old was limited to appearances only in the FAI Cup and in friendlies for the Candystripes thanks to the consistency of Brian Maher. Ryan recently moved to Glenavon in the NIFL Premiership following the expiration of his contract on Foyleside.

COLM HORGAN Colm Horgan came through the youth system at Salthill Devon before signing for Galway United in 2014. After four years, the defender moved to Cork City and scored ten minutes into his debut against Bohemians April 2018. He spent the lockdowndisrupted 2020 season with Derry City, before moving to Sligo Rovers in 2021. Horgan was part of the Galway United side that won the First Division in 2023, alongside Conor McCormack, and has surpassed 180 appearances for the Tribesmen.

RORY HALE Belfast native, and grandson of Derry City legend Danny Hale, Rory Hale joined the Candystripes alongside his

brother Ronan ahead of the 2018 season. He came through the youth ranks at Aston Villa, captaining their Under 23 side, before joining Galway United in 2017. An attacking midfielder by trade, the then 21 year old scored a rocket against Dundalk on the final game of the 2017 campaign. Hale scored the winning goal for Derry City in the League Cup semi-final against Sligo Rovers in 2018 – a tournament which City would go on to win that season. After 40 appearances in red and white, and a year at Crusaders, the midfielder joined Cliftonville in 2021. He has surpassed a century of appearances for The Reds and recently won the Irish Cup, with his brother Ronan bagging a brace against rivals Linfield in the final.

ARMIN AGANOVIC Swedish defender Armin Aganovic began his career with

LIVE FOR IT

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

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PLAYED FOR BOTH continued...

Mjällby AIF, making 18 appearances between 2013 and 2015.

After a loan at Kristianstad in 2014, where he netted 7 goals from centre back, the 21 year old signed for Galway Untied in 2016. He impressed at Eamon Deacy Park, and following a move to Raufoss IL in the Norwegian third tier, where he again bagged 7 goals, Aganovic joined Derry City ahead of the 2018 campaign. Aganovic made just two appearances in red and white before mutually agreeing to cancel his contract. He did, however, score on his City debut against Waterford and now plies his trade at Nosaby IF after moves to FK Karlskrona and Kristianstad FC, aged 30.

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.

MIKEY PLACE Versatile midfielder Mikey Place began his League of Ireland career with Sligo Rovers, breaking into the senior team in 2016.

He made 21 appearances for the Bit’O’Red, scoring once, before moving to Derry City in July 2017. Place spent just half a season with the Candystripes before moving to Finn Harps in 2018. He was top scorer at Finn Park that campaign as Harps gained promotion back to the Premier Division, before leaving to sign for Galway United ahead of the 2020 season. After eight goal contributions in two years for the Tribesmen, Place signed for Ballymena United in January 2022. After more than 100 appearances with the Sky Blues, he signed for Finn Harps ahead of the 2025 season.

ENDA CURRAN Striker Enda Curran has played his entire career in the League of Ireland, starting out with Mervue United as a 17 year old in 2010. He has had three

separate stints with Mervue, three stints at Galway United and two stints at Athlone Town, alongside spells at Salthill Devon, Derry City, Longford Town and Treaty United. Curran made four appearances in his first campaign with Galway

United, back in 2011. He joined Derry City ahead of the 2014 campaign and scored twice in eleven games before leaving for Galway United midway through the season. Curran netted thirteen goals in 26 games in the Premier Division in 2015 before joining Longford Town in 2017.

Moves to Athlone Town and back to Mervue United followed before Curran was once again back in Galway, this time in 2020. He signed for Treaty United after another spell at Mervue and racked up 46 goals in Limerick, including one against Derry City in the semi-final of the FAI Cup in 2022. Aged 32, he retired from League of Ireland football in January of this year after nearly 300 appearances in all.

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This week... Derry City fan... PAUL RAMSAY 1. Now playing for Galway, which club did Derry City sign Conor McCormack from in July 2015?

4.

2. Red Star Belgrade won the European Cup, Galway United won the FAI Cup, Dundalk won the league, and Dundalk’s Peter Hanrahan finished top scorer with 18.

What was the year?

3. £100m was the highest transfer fee ever recieved by Brighton & Hove Albion when they sold which player?

4. Can you name the Italy legend pictured on the right as a youth player playing for Padova?

5. Which English Premier League ground has a stand 6. called the Milburn Stand?

6. Galway captain and former Irish international Greg Cunningham signed for the Tribesmen last year after being released from which English club?

7. Galway manager John Caulfield took over the reigns in 2021, but which manager came before him?

8. Which player won the most International Caps while under contract to Leicester City?

PAUL’S ANSWERS: 1) St Pats; 2) No idea! 1988!; 3) Can’t think who it might be; 4) Del Piero?; 5) Jackie Milburn played with Newcastle, so St James’ Park?; 6) Blackburn; 7) Alan Murphy; 8) The defender... Wes Morgan?

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

ANSWERS: 1) St Patrick’s Athletic; 2) 1991; 3) Moisés Caicedo; 4) Sergio Ramos; 5) St James’ Park (Newcastle United); 6) Preston North End; 7) Alan Murphy; 8) Kasper Schmeichel​ (84)

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BE THE CHALLENGER! CONTACT ANDREW@DERRYCITYFC.NET

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