CityView Vol-41 No-04 - Derry City vs Cork City - Friday 4th April

DERRY CITY F.C. v CORK CITY F.C. LEAGUE OF IRELAND MEN’S PREMIER DIVISION FRIDAY 4TH APRIL 2025 | 7.45pm Vol. 41 - No. 04

1

2

Welcome to...

CORK CITY 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 Tim Clancy as well as his players and staff, and the officials and supporters who have travelled all the way up from Cork this evening.

The longest away journey in the Premier Division.

It’s a journey that Cork City haven’t made since June 2023 when Derry won 2-0 thanks to a 45min goal from Jamie McGonigle, and a 90min goal from Tiernan McGinty.

Derry and Cork met 4 times that season with

Derry winning all 4 games. The last time Cork made the journey up and left with all 3 points was back in October 2018, when goals by Shane Daly-Butz, a Gerard Doherty own goal, and a Barry McNamee goal saw Cork win 3-0. Barrycame up against his brother Shane McNamee in that game as well!

Enjoy the game tonight and hope for another win!

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

Assistant 1: Richard Storey |Assistant 2: Conor Fitzgibbon Fourth Official: __________

TONIGHT’S MATCH SPONSOR:

M&D SERVICES LTD. Derry, C/O Tony O’Doherty PLEASE SUPPORT ALL OUR SPONSORS

3

MESSAGE FROM THE MANAGER

I’d like to welcome our supporters, guests and of course our visitors from Cork to the Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium tonight for what is a massive occasion for the club.

This ground has seen many special nights down through the years and with the new North Stand opening this evening, we can hopefully look forward to many more in the coming seasons.

The impressive new stand has been in progress since last season and now that it has been completed it should add substantially to the matchnight experience.

It has very much become a stadium that we can all be proud of and with the potential for more improvements in the near future, these are exciting times for Derry City FC. Earlier this week we also attended the launch of a new partnership between St Joseph’s College and our club, in conjunction with the Steven Gerard Academy.

Developing our underage system, including facilities, has been one of our key aims since we arrived here and a huge amount of work is currently ongoing in that area.

4

The partnership with St Joseph’s is the first step in us forming lasting relationships with a range of educational facilities throughout the North West and I’m delighted that the college’s under-18 teamp will be at tonight’s game to parade the Schools Cup trophy that they won at the end of last month.

On the field, we come into tonight’s game on the back of a solid point at Tallaght last weekend and I think shows that there are clear signs that we’re getting on track.

We know this is an ultracompetitive league and you’re only as good as your next game, however working with this group of players on a daily basis we can

see they have really bought in to what we’re trying to do.

Tonight’s game will be tough; Cork City have only lost once this season so far and the fact that they’ve drawn their last three shows that they give very little away.

We have to be ready to deal with that and hopefully with a big crowd behind us we can start off with a win in our upgraded surroundings.

Thank you for your continued support and I hope you enjoy the game.

Tiernan Lynch, Manager

5

6

DERRY CITY VS OXFORD UNITED 1986 Despite just avoiding relegation from the English First Division in season 1985-86 Oxford United had, nonetheless, won the League Cup (then known as the Milk Cup) and they brought the silverware to the Brandywell when they arrived for a Pre-Season Friendly on Sunday 17th August 1986.

In a fairly typical pre-season game Derry got a creditable draw in front of 7,000 spectators. With three Irish internationals (John Aldridge, Ray Houghton and Dave Langan) in their squad the visitors settled quickly and Aldridge had a shot blocked by Alan Harrison but then Noel King dispossessed Biggs before chipping the ball to Jim Mc Kechnie whose shot over the keeper was cleared for a corner.

In first half injury time Biggs again lost the ball, this time to Kevin Mahon, and it fell to Paul Carlyle who, seeing the

By Francie McCauley keeper off his line, hit a twenty-five-yard shot off the bar and post and into the net to give the Candystripes the lead.

City didn’t start the second period well and Oxford levelled the score on fifty-one minutes when, from an Aldridge cross, Obi glanced a header past Stuart Roberts. Within a couple of minutes Philips cracked a twenty yarder off the crossbar. A minute later, following a mix up in the home defence Roberts did well to deny Obi and then an Aldridge volley came back off the post.

City got their act together but play became bogged down and the last half hour was decidedly dull although Oxford nearly snatched a winner with the last kick of the game but Roberts managed to block Houghton’s shot.

The match programme, twenty pages (two of adverts), cost 50p. It opened with ‘A View From Our Manager’ and ‘A “Frank” View of Today’s Visitors’ which referenced a visit to the Brandywell on 11th December 1947 by a team representing Oxford University. The game, against a depleted home side finished two all.

John Doherty in his article ‘Do Things Ever Change?’ made comparisons with Derry’s Irish League season of 196869. The middle pages carried

the City players’ stats from the previous season – their first in the League of Ireland. There were full page profiles of Oxford’s Steve Perryman and Derry’s Jack Keay.

Four pages carried photos of Alex Krstic, a group of men working on the Brandywell in 1939, the Oxford playing squad, and an Irish League representative team from September 1936 which included Derry players Hugh Carlyle, (who was captain), E.D.R. Shearer, Harry Duffy and Jimmy Kelly.

‘Spotlight on the Supporter’ fell on Jack Cooley of the Foyle No. 1 Supporters Club.

Pat Comey had compiled the ‘Half Time Quiz’ and the teams were on page seven. It was also announced that the views of supporters would be featuring in the programme in a ‘Letter Page’.

7

ON THE SPOT 134 years ago on Monday 2nd June 1891 the penalty kick was introduced to football by a County Armagh man, William McCrum (pictured right). He was concerned about the amount of rough play on the pitch as he observed it when he was “between the sticks.” He played for his local side Milford in the Irish Football League in its first season 1890-91. As a wealthy linen manufacturer he was involved in many sports & activities and travelled the world as well as enjoying visits to Monte Carlo where on one occasion he lost a six figure sum. The Wall Street crash in 1929 damaged his firm and he ended up living in England before coming back to Armagh where he died of a heart attack in 1932.

As a member of the IFA he proposed the idea of the penalty kick at a meeting in June 1890 and while it was treated initially with derision the rule known as No 13 in the laws of the game was introduced a year later at a meeting of the International Football Association Board in Glasgow. A lot of water has flown down the River Clyde since that day and a lot of changes have been introduced to the beautiful game. The latest amendments (2024/25)of the laws show that No 14 reads (a) clarification that part of the ball must touch or overhang

8

By Sean McGillan

the centre of penalty mark & (b) encroachment by players will be penalised only if it has an impact (same philosophy as goalkeeper encroachment.) When the innovation of the spot kick was approved the ball could be placed anywhere along a line 12 yards out! It was only in the early 1900s that the penalty spot was fixed. The next change came in 1997 when keepers were allowed to move laterally along their goal line !

They had been doing this until 1929 when it was prohibited but this restriction was largely ignored & eventually in 1997 it was repealed. Just 2 statistics on the dreaded penalty kick - the conversion rate of penalties at all levels of the game is 80% to 90%. At the 1998 World Cup Finals 70%

of the kicks taken went to the opposite side from the kicker’s dominant foot i.e right footed players shot to the left and the keeper’s right hand ! Finally the introduction of penalties to decide matches came about in the 1970s & this method was used in the 1982 World Cup. Here in Ireland 2 keepers emerged as heroes in the dreaded shoot outs - Ciaran Kelly, Sligo Rovers saved 4 spot kicks against Shamrock Rovers in the FAI Cup Final in 2010. And our own Pat Jennings Junior saved 3 in the League Cup Final 4 years earlier when he came of the bench to replace David Ford who was red carded. Incidentally Pat ended up playing for Sligo in 2008 and Shamrock Rovers in 2010.

9

10

NEWS FROM AROUND THE LEAGUE

2025 LEAGUE TABLE: Pld Pts St. Pat’s Athletic

7

13

Galway United

7

13

Drogheda Utd

7

12

Shelbourne

7

12

Last Round’s Results:

This Round’s Fixtures:

Waterford

7

9

Shamrock Rvrs

6

8

DERRY CITY

7

8

Cork City

6

7

Bohemians

7

6

FRIDAY 28th MARCH Shamrock Rvrs 0-0 DERRY CITY Waterford 1-2 St Pat’s Athletic Sligo Rovers 1-2 Shelbourne Cork City 1-1 Drogheda United Bohemian 0-2 Galway United

FRIDAY 4th APRIL DERRY CITY v Cork City St Pat’s Athletic v Shelbourne Galway Utd v Shamrock Rovers Drogheda United v Waterford Bohemian v Sligo Rovers

Sligo Rovers

7

4

NEXT GAME:

Derry City vs Drogheda United Tuesday 11th April, 7.45pm

CITY & ST JOSEPH’S PAIR UP

Derry City FC formally launched its new partnership with St Joseph’s Boys’ School on Monday evening at a well attended event held at the Creggan college.

Backed by the Steven Gerrard Academy (SGA), the launch was attended by Derry City FC management and players as well as parents and students currently enrolled.

School Principal Mrs Ciara Deane was joined by teaching colleagues and School Board members as well as the Bishop of Derry, Donal McKeown.

Speakers at the function included Principal Deane and Danny Harrison from SGA both of whom explained the importance of education and

training for a wide array of opportunities both inside football and beyond.

Derry City FC Technical Director Mark McChrystal will lead

the new partnership in tandem with both the college and the Gerrard Academy and applications are now open for consideration.

11

LAST TWO GAMES...

SLIGO ROVERS 0 - 1 DERRY CITY: Back to winning ways for Derry City as 3 points in Sligo lifted them off the foot of the table. Michael Duffy’s free kick going straight into the net in the first half was enough to earn the win.

SHAMROCK ROVERS 0 - 0 DERRY CITY: Two first half red cards made for a very cautious second half for both sides. The teams were well matched and no one could break the deadlock in a 0-0 draw.

12

13

14

C IS FOR CHILDHOOD...

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

DOM THOMAS

I’m a massive Celtic fan & follow them home & away!

D IS FOR DRESS SENSE...

Which Derry City team mate has the worst fashion sense?

Big Arlo had a dodgy pink hoodie on him the other day, so I’m gonna have to go for him!

erife with the family.. but no expense spared I think it could be Dubai

I IS FOR IDOL...

Which footballer did you idolise as a boy?

Tommy Burns. He was before my time but learning about him as a player and a person makes him my footballing 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?

Liam Boyce! Who I do actually sit beside, but may need to change due to him very often passing wind!

B IS FOR BOX...

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

I’ve just finished watching a show called ‘Say Nothing’ & really enjoyed it..

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

Since we’re in Derry I’ll go for some Christy Moore & for a film I’ll pick Shawshank Redemption.

F IS FOR FUNNY...

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

There’s been a good few over the years, but I’ve seen some very funny refereeing decisions in my first few weeks in Irish football.

G IS FOR GOAL...

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

I think my first professional goal when I was 17 for Queen Of The South against Dundee United.

H IS FOR HOLIDAY...

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

I like spending time in Ten-

J IS FOR JOKER...

Who is the biggest practical joker in the team?

Carl Winchester! You can’t take your eyes of him for 2mins!

K IS FOR KIT...

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

It’s got to be the Derry home strip

L IS FOR LIFE AFTER PLAYING...

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

I’m unsure at the minute, I just focus on playing as long as possible & will cross that bridge when it comes.

M IS FOR MEMENTO...

15

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

I’m not really one for keeping strips etc. I always give them away to fans or charities or whatever.

me is always the next one!

S IS FOR SKILLS...

Who has the best skills in the team?

Gav Whyte has some good skills and footwork with a ball.

N IS FOR NEXT BIG T IS FOR TEAM MATES...

THING...

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

I’ve been really impressed with the young lads at derry, all hard working and good lads. Sean Patton has all the attributes for me I really hope he goes on to have an amazing career.

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

Tough call, I’d go with Scott McDonald at Motherwell

P IS FOR PASSTIME...

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

Not really. Any time off I get I just want to spend it with my family and my son Rome who’s 3. He keeps me busy!

16

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

I just like chatting and having banter with the boys & a nice wee coffee.

U IS FOR UNPARALLELED...

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

Virgil Van Dijk, 100%

Y IS FOR YOUTH...

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

Young Glen McCourt! He’s a cracking boy, but doesn’t know what day of the week it is!

Which result meant the most to you in your career?

The most important result for

THE TIME...

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

Scottie Schefler, what a life!

Q IS FOR QUIZ...

R IS FOR RESULT...

W IS FOR WHILE AWAY

X IS FOR EXCHANGE...

O IS FOR OPPOSITION...

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

I look forward to every game and don’t really worry about opposition I prefer to focus on my own team.

were in the Premiership?

I’m not really into cars. I’ve got an Audi Q3 & if I could have any car I’d go for a Lamborghini as my wee boy loves them!

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

I came through the Celtic academy and always played in the forward positions

V IS FOR VEHICLE...

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

Z IS FOR ZERO CHANCE...

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

A small team from Govan!

17

CITY WELCOMES ROAD VICTIM SUPPORT GROUP Derry City FC welcomed members of the new Road Victim Support Northern Ireland-Donegal group to Owenbeg this week as the club showed its support ahead of the their official launch today.

Made up of a team of volunteers who themselves have been bereaved by road deaths, Road Victim Support is a cross-border initiative covering all of Northern Ireland and Donegal.

Secretary, Keria Logan, said that they have already attracted support in the community sector and their application for charity status has been fast-tracked given the absence of dedicated support for victims of road traffic accidents, and their families.

“We will aim to provide immediate, compassionate support in the critical period following a loss. That support will be provided by trained professionals and

18

volunteers, certified in mental health first aid, and Safetalk.

“We will also begin delivery of our RESHAPE programme to schools, community groups and businesses, educating on the services available as well as sharing personal experiences.

“The group will also get behind a Road Safety Campaign including our ‘Drive to Arrive’ programme and anyone wishing to avail of any of our services

can use the self-referral options on our website or social media platforms Facebook, Instagram or TikTok.” “We would like to thank Derry City Football Club for their support for something that continues to affect so many lives across the area.”

For more information, check out their website at https://rvsnid. com/

19

20

TONIGHT’S SQUADS DERRY CITY F.C.

CORK CITY 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 - TEIN TROOST 2 - HARRY NEVIN 3 - BENNY COUTO 4 - RIO SHIPSTON 5 - CHARLIE LYONS 6 - GREG BOLGER 7 - MALIK DIJKSTEEL 8 - EVAN MCLAUGHLIN 9 - RUAIRÍ KEATING 10 - ALEX NOLAN 11 - CATHAL O’SULLIVAN 13 - CONOR BRANN 14 - KITT NELSON 15 - CONOR DRINAN 16 - SEAN MURRAY 17 - DARRAGH CROWLEY 18 - MILAN MBENG 19 - MATTHEW KIERNAN 20 - JOSH FITZPATRICK 23 - FREDDIE ANDERSON 24 - SEAN MAGUIRE 25 - MATTHEW MURRAY 26 - AJ NASH 28 - ARRAN HEALY 31 - SAM BAILEY __ - LOOF LIRPA (PENDING REGISTRATION! ;)

Manager: TIERNAN LYNCH

Manager: TIM CLANCY

Tonight’s Match Sponsors:

M&D SERVICES LTD. Derry, C/O Tony O’Doherty

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

+

_

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: Pat Hoban (9) + Carl Winchester (20) - Ronan Boyce (2) = Liam Boyce (27) SPOT THE DIFFERENCE: 1) The ball has disappeared; 2) Leg has disappeared; 3) Extra pillar has appeared on the left; 4) Sign on the left has disappeared; 5) Line on the pitch has disappeared

23

24

25

26

It’s easier than ever to book a taxi with City Cabs Call

028 7126 4466 Google Play

Download

App Store

Our App Use our

Interactive Voice Response Book online

www.citycabsderry.com International plc

ISO 9001 REGISTERED

International plc

ISO 14001 REGISTERED

Find us on Facebook

27

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 Stepping into the Fanzone tonight is avid Derry City supporter of some 30 plus years, Ronnie Warren. Ronnie gives his views on all things Candystripe, including his all time top Derry City 11 and what he lies to snack on at half time!.

Top class player.

Best opposition player you’ve seen play?

Joseph N’Do Why? He was great on the ball, so strong and fast. He had a good footballing brain and was very entertaining to watch.

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

Would have to be Parc de Prince, when we played PSG What goal sticks out in your mind?

Liam Coyle’s Cup Final goal against Shamrock Rovers 2002

Name: Ronnie Warren How long have you been supporting Derry City?

I’ve been supporting Derry since 1994, so just over 30 years.

Why? Only Liam could score a great goal like that to win us the cup!

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

RB: Simon Madden LB: Sean Hargan CB: Paul Curran CB: Ryan McBride RM: Gareth McGlynn CM: Barry Molloy CM: Paul Doolin LM: Paddy McCourt FW: Mark Farren FW: Liam Coyle Subs: Peter Hutton, Darren Kelly and Rory Patterson Best manager you’ve seen at Derry City?

Stephen Kenny. We played some great football under him Favourite half time snack?

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

A free draw for season ticket holders for a signed ball or top or something.

Where do you sit in the Brandywell?

I have a season ticket in Block C in the Southend Stand.

Best Player you’ve seen playing for the Candystripes?

Paddy McCourt Why? Was just so exciting to watch when Paddy got the ball, the way he would go past three or four defenders so easily. And his goals were just unbelievable.

29

STEPHEN ‘SQUIRTY’ O’CONNOR

BORN 3RD FEB 1981, PASSED AWAY 9TH MARCH 2025

By Sean Leonard

A lifelong Derry City fan, who travelled the world cheering on the mighty Derry City FC. He was a die-hard fan; a lastminute Wednesday phone call about going to Cork on Friday for the Derry match, and he was away. Trabzonspor, Riga, Paris, Derry derby days with Finn Harps were always a fun event, from making sure he had all the essentials—Derry was a priority (“blowup sheep”).

He stood at the side of the Mark Farren Stand despite having a season ticket for the seats, having stood at the hole in the wall before the stand was built. His friends named the area the Alec Kristic Safe Standing Area.

Every cup final, he had Santa hats for the boys and blow-

up trophies for the kids.

He was one of the die-hards and would never miss a match, big or small; he never missed one, even with work; he made sure to be there.

He was a true family man to his mum, brothers, sisters, nieces, nephews, and a friend to all. He never took sides, was always natural with everyone, and made sure everyone came together.

He loved to wind people up; no matter who you were, he made sure to annoy even the biggest person, and in the end, that person became a friend to him.

He never missed a birth, birthday, wedding, or special event, always making sure he had a card or present.

Squirty what can you say....

OUR LEGEND, OUR FRIEND

30

31

32

UNOFFICIAL FOOTBALL WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS Algeria now have a huge target on their back in international football. They are the current Unofficial World Champions!

So what is it? Well, the idea originally came from some Scotland fans and sections of the media who jokingly came up with the conclusion that as they beat England (who had won the 1966 World Cup) in a British Home Championship match on 15 April 1967, England’s first loss after their FIFA World Cup victory, Scotland then became the “Unofficial World Champions”.

In 2002, football statisticians James Allnutt, Paul Crankshaw, Jostein Nygård, and Roberto Di Maggio defined the rules of the UFWC, traced its lineage and published it on the Rec.Sport Soccer Statistics Foundation website.

The following year, freelance

By Andrew Cassidy

journalist Paul Brown wrote an article on the UFWC in football magazine FourFourTwo. In 2011, Brown also authored a book on the subject. He also created the championship’s website which tracks its progression.

He was able to ignore Scotland’s 1967 claims, but maintain the rules of the game, instead tracing it back to the first team to ever win an international football match.

This was ironically England, who defeated Scotland 4–2 in 1873 in the second full international match, the first in 1872 having been a 0–0 draw between the same two nations.

The next full international involving the title holder is considered a title match, with the winners taking the title.

So tracing it on from there, the UFWC has been contest-

ed hundreds of times since.

The title first left the British Isles in 1931 when Austria beat Scotland 5-0, but they lost it again to England a year later!

In the years to come, the UFWC title has been unknowingly (to some) contested at some of the biggest competitions in world football.

The title is currently held by Algeria who won it from Liberia on 17 November 2024 in a 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualification game.

Algeria then successfully defended their title last week against Botswana and Mozambique in two 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification games.

The naxt UFWC Cup Final will be on the 2nd of May when Algeria face Gambia.

Maybe you’ll keep a closer eye on that result now!

33

CANDYSTRIPES AND REBELS: PLAYERS WHO PLAYED FOR BOTH

By Pól O’Hare

EVAN MCLAUGHLIN

Coming through the ranks at Foyle Harps and later Derry City’s academy as a midfielder, Evan McLaughlin was first involved with the City first team when he was named on the bench against Cork City in November 2020. After a debut goal, McLaughlin would go on to make thirty more appearances in red and white before joining Coleraine on loan in July 2022. A brace on his debut at home to Cliftonville gave the Bannside faithful a glimpse of what they could expect. 2023 saw McLaughlin’s gametime limited, before Tim Clancy brought the Derryman to Cork City ahead of the 2024 First Division campaign.

Deployed as an attacking leftback, McLaughlin contributed to twelve goals in all competitions in Munster as Cork won the league by a 22 point margin. After being named in the First Division Team of the Year, the 23 year old’s start to the 2025 campaign has been ham-

34

pered by a hamstring injury picked up in preseason.

mer Derry assistant manager Paddy McLaughlin.

TADHG RYAN

BARRY MCNAMEE

After leaving Huddersfield Town in 2018, Tadhg Ryan signed for 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 at the Ryan McBride Brandywell and has impressed between the sticks at Mourneview Park, where he is managed by for-

Barry McNamee broke into the Derry City side in 2011, becoming a key player towards the end of the 2012 campaign and lifting the FAI Cup in November of that year. With more than 150 appearances in red and white, the midfielder left Ulster for Munster, signing for Cork City ahead of the 2018 campaign. After seventeen goals and assists in Cork, including a goal against Derry in October 2018, he reunited with FAI Cup winning manager Declan Devine by rejoining City ahead of the 2019 season.

He started thirty league games and scored twice in 2019 as Devine made him captain. After over 230 appearances in both spells at Derry City, registering 73 goal involvements, McNamee joined Finn Harps in 2020. Now 33, the former midfield maestro has been a free

LIVE FOR IT

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

35

Derry Credit Union’s popular

AUTO LOAN

Don't dream it, Drive it!

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.

36

PLAYED FOR BOTH continued... agent since departing Finn Harps in 2023 with almost 400 professional games under his belt.

the Premier Division in 2024.

STEPHEN DOOLEY

PETER CHERRIE

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 more than 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

Veteran Scottish goalkeeper Peter Cherrie was signed to replace Derry City legend Gerard Doherty, who left for Crusaders in 2019 after making over 300 appearances for Derry.

Then 35, Cherrie joined City after spells at Airdrie United, Ayr United, Clyde, Dundalk, Cliftonville, Bray Wanderers and Cork City. He was named Dundalk’s Player of the Year in 2010 and made his 100th appearance for the Lilywhites against Derry City in July 2012, before winning the league in 2014. Cherrie’s move to Cork City in 2018 saw him make 15 appearances for the then Irish champions. He was Declan Devine’s number one at Derry City for the 2019 and 2020 seasons and finds himself as both a player and coach back at Dundalk in the First Division, aged 41.

Portstewart native Stephen Dooley began his career at Coleraine and earned the Young Player of the Year award in 2010 after breaking into the first team as a teenager. A promising winger, Dooley moved to America where he played college football with Loyola Greyhounds, before returning to Coleraine in 2013. Dooley left Coleraine but stayed in Co. Derry when he signed for the Candystripes in 2014, eventually scoring 7 goals in 43 appearances before making the switch to Cork City ahead of the 2016 season. Two FAI Cups and a Premier Division title later, Dooley found himself back up north with Coleraine, signing in December 2017. Six months later and the winger was on the move again, joining Rochdale in League One. Almost 140 appearances and four years later, the former NI youth international signed for Harrogate Town in 2022. Now 33, Dooley has surpassed the 350 career games mark and is part of a Harrogate side fighting for survival in League Two.

37

This week... Derry City fan... JOHN CAMPBELL 1. Who is the Derry man who is currently playing for Cork City?

4.

2. Man United won the EPL, Sligo Rovers won the FAI Cup, Shamrock Rovers won the league, and Brazil won the World Cup. What was the year?

3. Which Italian club has been renamed as ‘Piemonte Calcio’ in most EA Sports FIFA console games after the region of Italy they are based in?

4. Can you name the former Ipswich player pictured on the right?

7. 5. Which English Premier League ground has a stand called The Bobby Moore Stand?

6. Cork City last played a European game in 2019-20, in which European competition?

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

8. Who made more appearances for Rep Of Ireland, Robbie Keane or Damien Duff?

JOHN’S ANSWERS: 1) Evan McLaughlin; 2) 1994?; 3) Juventus; 5) Matt Holland; 6) West Ham in the Olympic Stadium or London Stadium is it called?; 7) Can’t remember! Wasn’t Caulfield?; 8) Robbie Keane

JOHN’S SCORE: 6 out of 8! Can you beat it?

ANSWERS: 1) Evan McLaughlin; 2) 1994; 3) Juventus; 4) Matt Holland; 5) London Stadium (West Ham); 6) UEFA Europa League; 7) Colin Healy; 8) Damien Duff (392), (Robbie Keane had 349)

38

BE THE CHALLENGER! CONTACT ANDREW@DERRYCITYFC.NET

39

40