CityView Vol-41 No-07 - Derry City vs Shelbourne - Friday 2nd May

DERRY CITY F.C. v SHELBOURNE F.C. LEAGUE OF IRELAND MEN’S PREMIER DIVISION FRIDAY 2ND MAY 2025 | 7.45pm Vol. 41 - No. 07

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Welcome to...

SHELBOURNE 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 Shelbourne.

Welcome also to Damien Duff as well as his players and staff, and the officials and supporters who have travelled from Dublin for this evening’s game.

The first round of games is complete in this year’s League Of Ireland Premire Division and the table couldn’t be tighter! No runaway leaders so far, and only 3 points separating Derry City in 7th and the top spot.

We travelled to Tolka Park for the first game of the season this year and left with a 3-1 defeat thanks to goals from Sean Boyd x2, and Evan Caffrey.

Michael Duffy got Derry City’s goal that night and has gone on to score 5 goals so far in this season’s campaign, leaving him second in the top goal scorer charts behind Galway’s

Moses Dyer.

Shelbourne haven’t continued their end of season form from last season though, drawing seven of their opening twelve games. Indeed, it’s a lack of consistent form the plagues Derry City this season as well.

Tonight we aim to earn another 3 points though at the beginning of another run of 3 games in one week. Don’t forget we’re back here on Monday night when St Pat’s visit the Brandywell.

Enjoy the game!

TONIGHT’S MATCH OFFICIALS: Referee: ROB HENNESSY

Assistant 1: Emmett Dynan |Assistant 2: Darren Corcoran Fourth Official: _______________

TONIGHT’S MATCH SPONSOR: CABLE AND ACCESSORIES 6 Balliniska business park Springtown IND. EST., BT48 0LY Phone: (028) 71360110

www.cableandaccessories.co.uk PLEASE SUPPORT ALL OUR SPONSORS

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MESSAGE FROM THE MANAGER

It’s the start of another busy few days across the league and I’d like to welcome Damien Duff and his players and staff to the Brandywell tonight for what we know will be another very tough game.

We’ve crossed paths already on the opening night of the season of course and although we didn’t do ourselves justice at Tolka Park, you could see the confidence they got from winning the title last year.

Although there is little to be gained from studying the league table after just 12 games, the fact that only three points separates the top seven teams at present would suggest it’s going to be tighter than ever this season.

I expressed my disappointment at our performance in Waterford last week not just because it was a real opportunity missed, but also because we didn’t see it coming.

We went into the game on the back of just one defeat in our previous seven but we gave away a soft goal just before half time and

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we never recovered.

Windsor Park last weekend.

Not for the first time this sesson I felt we were on top in the game up to that point, and we know it’s something we have to try to eradicate very quickly.

It’s a huge achievement and I’m led to believe they’re the first Derry based team to ever lift the trophy and the first from the North West in 60 years.

There is certainly no better time to bounce back than with home games against two of the league’s top sides in the space of a few days and we’re definitely looking forward to the challenge.

I know a lot of them are Brandywell regulars and I’m delighted that they’re joining us as guests tonight to celebrate the occasion.

As well as welcoming Shelbourne here tonight I’d also like to pay tribute to our friends from Ardmore FC who are guests of the club following their Irish Junior Cup final win at

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

Tiernan Lynch, Manager

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DONEGAL CELTIC V DERRY CITY 1996 On Wednesday 28th August 1996, for their last friendly game before their league campaign was due to get under way, the Candystripes travelled to the Suffolk area of Belfast to take on Intermediate League side Donegal Celtic. Because of difficulties the Belfast club was experiencing with the IFA they had an application lodged with the FAI to take the place of St James’ Gate in the League of Ireland’s First Division.

Pre match, City’s manager Felix Healy was looking forward to what he foresaw as a ‘useful exercise’ and was taking along a full-strength squad of players. He wasn’t in such a positive mood post-match however!

He felt the game had been played at such a leisurely

By Francie McCauley pace he could have played in it himself. He thought very few of his players were ‘up for the game’, with a number looking to avoid injury with the league season due to start.

The Candystripes had fallen behind during the early stages of the second half but they replied almost immediately with two goals from Liam Coyle followed by strikes from Peter Hutton and Sean Hargan which ended the game as a contest.

The match programme, a slimmed down four-page version of ‘The Craic’ and listed as a Special Edition, was available but with no indication of a price. The match ball sponsor for the friendly game was Newry based NURI Match Footballs. There was an insert with the programme in the form of an A4 advert for their match balls (‘As used by Liverpool FC on their 1996 tour of Ireland’ the advert states).

Usual price £35 reduced to £25.

The front page carried a brief ‘Welcome To Derry City’ by the Editor Peter

Mc Kenna. Page two carried the squads while alongside was a rundown of Celtic’s various Youth Teams.

The back page has ‘Mousey Brady Remembers!’ Arthur ‘Mousey’ Brady lived ‘just a stone’s throw’ from Donegal Celtic Park. He had signed for Derry in the mid-1950s and in the article recalls a number of players he played with during his time at the Brandywell and mentions that he was part of the City team which won the Irish Cup in 1954.

This was the final against Glentoran – often referred to as ‘The Delaney Final’ - which went to a second replay and, which, over the three games attracted an aggregate attendance of 93,000 spectators.

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FANZONE: MEET THE FANS A supporter of the Candystripes for 60 years, tonight’s entrant into the Fanzone is Tom Cassidy. Tom has some interesting views and a great team of all time selection. Thanks for taking part in the Fanzone Tom..

Best opposition player you’ve seen play?

Paddy McCourt with Shamrock Rovers Why? He regularly ripped us to shreds at the Brandywell What’s the best ground, apart from the Brandywell, that you’ve seen Derry play in?

Has to be the Aviva Stadium What goal sticks out in your mind?

Liam Coyle’s goal in the FAI Cup Final 2002 Why? He won us the cup beating Rovers 1 - 0!

Name: Tom Cassidy How long have you been supporting Derry City?

A VERY long time lol since 1965!

Where do you sit in the Brandywell?

I sit in the Mark Farren Stand Best Player you’ve seen playing for the Candystripes?

Liam Coyle. The best by far!

Why? He had an all round ability, great technical brain and scored vital goals at vital times.

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

LB: Busty Blake, CB: Dougie Wood, CB: Stuart Gauld, RB: Kevin Brady LM: Paul “Storky” Carlyle, CM: Felix Healy, CM: Paul Doolin, RM: Ruairi Higgins FW: Liam Coyle, FW: Alex Krstić Subs: Peter Hutton, Paul Curran, Gary Beckett Best manager you’ve seen at Derry City?

Jim McLaughlin Favourite half time snack?

A pint at the bar and Cathal’s mints! lol What one thing would you introduce that you feel would improve the match day experience?

A scoreboard and maybe a big screen

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NEWS FROM AROUND THE LEAGUE

2025 LEAGUE TABLE: Pld Pts Drogheda Utd

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St. Pat’s Athletic

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Shamrock Rvrs

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Galway United

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Last Round’s Results:

This Round’s Fixtures:

Shelbourne

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DERRY CITY

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Bohemians

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Waterford

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Cork City

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FRIDAY 18th APRIL Waterford 2-1 DERRY CITY Galway Utd 2-1 Drogheda Utd Bohemians 2-1 St Pats Athletic Shamrock Rvrs 2-2 Shelbourne Sligo Rovers 1-1 Cork City

MONDAY 2nd MAY Cork City v Shamrock Rvrs Bohemians v Waterford Sligo Rvrs v Drogheda Utd St Pat’s Athletic v Galway Utd DERRY CITY v Shelbourne

Sligo Rovers

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NEXT GAME:

Derry City vs St Pat’s Athletic Monday 5td May, 7.45pm

ARTWORKS FROM FOSTERING FAMILIES

Some of the Derry City players were presented with drawings by kids from Fostering Families after their recent visit to the Brandywell. Some great talent on show, thanks for the artwork!

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LANDMARKS: 150 GAMES FOR BOYCE In recent games of the season, we have seen a few milestones for both the club and some players.

Firstly, in the game away to Galway, Ronan Boyce made his 150th appearance for the club, becoming the 33rd player to reach this milestone.

The first to do so was Felix Healy on 23rd Dec1990, when he scored the only goal in a 1-0 win away to St Patrick’s Athletic in the semi-final of the league cup. Three days later, both Paul Curran and Paul Carlyle made their 150th appearance for City. Indeed Paul Carlyle opened the scoring in a 6-1 win over Galway United at Brandywell, with what was our 300th league goal.

The most recent players to reach the 150 milestone for the club came last season when Ciaran Coll made played his 150th game in a 2-0 away win to Waterford FC in what was our 600th away game in the premier division, while Michael Duffy made his 150th

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By Brian Dunleavy

appearance for the club in the home game against Bruno Magpies.

Meanwhile in the same game, Mickey Duffy made his 100th league start, becoming the 38th player to reach this milestone.

Paul Curran was first to do so, in September 1990 in a home game against St Patrick’s Athletic, followed by Felix Healy in December of the same year, in a home game against Dundalk, while in February 1991, Jonathan Speak made his 100th league start in a home

game against Bohemians.

The most recent players to reach 100 league starts were Brian Maher in a home game against Shamrock Rovers in September 2024 and Ronan Boyce at home to Dundalk in October 2024.

In the home game against Drogheda United, Liam Boyce netted his first Derry City goal, becoming the club’s 249th goal scorer.

Shortly after, his red card was the 150th we have been shown, while also in the Drogheda game, Robbie Benson, who was starting his first game for the club, became the 400th player to start a league game, while the defeat was the 100th time we have conceded more than two goals in a premier division game.

In the away win over Galway United both Robbie Benson and Gavin Whyte scored their first Derry City goals, bringing to 251 the number of players who have scored for the club.

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C IS FOR CHILDHOOD...

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

ROBBIE BENSON

Arsenal. My cousin supported them as well when I was younger, so I followed him.

each holiday. Our last holiday was Dubrovnik which was lovely.

I IS FOR IDOL...

Which footballer did you idolise as a boy?

Dennis Bergkamp!

D IS FOR DRESS SENSE...

Which Derry City team mate has the worst fashion sense?

Liam Boyce. Just wouldn’t be my choices of clothes some mornings he comes in wearing!

E IS FOR ENTERTAINMENT...

A IS FOR ANNOYING...

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

Danny Mullen. I think everyone on the team will say the same and for the same reason!!

B IS FOR BOX...

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

Severance at the minute. Just finished its second season which was great.

It’s your turn to choose the music and the film for the team bus for the boys. What are your choices?

The War on Drugs for music.

I’ve seen them live a few times.

And then for a movie maybe The Prestige.

F IS FOR FUNNY...

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

Definitely when Georgie Kelly went to see if he could jump higher than the crossbar in training and hit it with a full force headbutt!

G IS FOR GOAL...

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

Legia Warsaw away

H IS FOR HOLIDAY...

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

I wouldn’t have a favourite but rather go somewhere new

J IS FOR JOKER...

Who is the biggest practical joker in the team?

There’s a few jokers to be fair, but I’d have to give that one to Pat Hoban!

K IS FOR KIT...

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

I got an Arsenal jersey for Christmas one year that fitted me for about 5 years!

L IS FOR LIFE AFTER PLAYING...

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

Yeah, I would like to in some capacity but we’ll see!!

M IS FOR MEMENTO...

What is the one football memento you own that you’ll

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never give away?

I don’t think I can say I’ll never give anything away. I have given some as gifts to people and may auction for a good cause in years to come.

during pre season!

T IS FOR TEAM MATES...

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

Michael Duffy

THING...

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

I think Sean Patton has all the attributes needed, and a good work ethic as well.

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

Probably Rory McIlroy last week!!

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

Shamrock Rovers is always a big game to look forward to.

Q IS FOR QUIZ...

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

Micky Duffy! He confidently guesses the wrong answers a lot although does pull one out of the bag now and again!

U IS FOR UNPARALLELED...

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

Axel Witsel probably the highest profile player but Giuliano from that Zenit St. Petersburg team was brilliant in the games.

Y IS FOR YOUTH...

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

I played for a local team called St. Francis in Athlone. Always played up front or in midfield.

R IS FOR RESULT...

Which result meant the most to you in your career?

Probably the two cup finals that I won. They are a great occasion.

S IS FOR SKILLS...

Who has the best skills in the team?

Ciaron Harkin scored the best rabona I’ve ever seen in training

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THE TIME...

X IS FOR EXCHANGE...

O IS FOR OPPOSITION...

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

I’m a big fan of board and card games.

W IS FOR WHILE AWAY How do you keep yourself entertained during away trips or overnights?

I bring the board games for the away trips and will play with whoever wants to join in.

N IS FOR NEXT BIG

P IS FOR PASSTIME...

were in the Premiership?

I have a Mercedes CLA now and I don’t think I’d change it.

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?

Spurs!

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LAST TWO GAMES...

DERRY CITY 3 - 0 SLIGO ROVERS: Two games in a row with three points and three goals scored following the 3-2 win over Galway the week previous. Danny Mullen (x2), and Liam Boyle with the goals for the Candystripes.

WATERFORD 2 - 1 DERRY CITY: The winning streak couldn’t extended to three games as City slumped to defeat at the RSC. Padraig Amond and Darragh Leahy with the Waterford goals. Liam Boyce’s 94th minute goal was too late to mount a comeback for City

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TONIGHT’S SQUADS DERRY CITY F.C.

SHELBOURNE 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 16 - HAYDEN CANN 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 - CONOR KEARNS 2 - SEAN GANNON 3 - TYREKE WILSON 4 - KAMERON LEDWIDGE 5 - ELLIS CHAPMAN 6 - JONATHAN LUNNEY 7 - HARRY WOOD 8 - MARK COYLE 9 - SEÁN BOYD 10 - JOHN MARTIN 11 - MIPO ODUBEKO 14 - ALI COOTE 15 - SAM BONE 16 - JOHN O’SULLIVAN 17 - DANIEL KELLY 18 - JAMES NORRIS 19 - LORCAN HEALY 23 - KERR MCINROY 24 - LEWIS TEMPLE 25 - DAITHI FOLAN 27 - EVAN CAFFREY 28 - RYAN O’KANE 29 - PADDY BARRETT 33 - DERINSOLA ADEWALE 44 - DANIEL RING 50 - ALI TOPCU 77 - RAYHAAN TULLOCH

Manager: TIERNAN LYNCH

Manager: DAMIEN DUFF

Tonight’s Match Sponsors:

CABLE AND ACCESSORIES

6 Balliniska Business Park, Springtown IND. EST., BT48 0LY Phone: (028) 71360110 | www.cableandaccessories.co.uk

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More Powerful Together 22

CITY CUBS CORNER Send us in your photos and drawings to citycubs@derrycityfc.net and we’ll get them printed on the City Cubs page in the programme!!

SHIRT NUMBER MATHS CHALLENGE

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Can you do the maths with the shirt numbers to find out the name of the hidden Derry City player?

SPOT THE DIFFERENCE

Can you spot the FIVE differences between the two photos?

ANSWERS: SHIRT NUMBER MATHS: Adam O’Reilly (8) + Carl Winchester (20) - Ciaron Harkin (4) = Sam Todd (24) SPOT THE DIFFERENCE: 1) Referee’s spray has disappeared; 2) Ball has disappeared; 3) Referee now wearing long sleeves; 4) Player in the background’s leg has disappeared; 5) Extra lamppost has appeared at the back

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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

MICHAEL DUFFY: A LEAGUE OF IRELAND GREAT Michael Duffy has had one of the finest footballing careers among the many players to grace the beautiful game on our island. From making his league debut at 17 with Derry City, to moving to Celtic, then returning to Ireland to help Dundalk win two league titles, and eventually rejoining his boyhood club—where he was part of the side that won the 2022 FAI Cup—Duffy has left an indelible mark on the League of Ireland. More than twelve years after his debut, he remains one of the very best players the league has to offer.

At the age of 17, Michael Duffy made his Derry City debut on July 6th, 2012, coming on as a substitute away to UCD, playing just a single minute in a 1-0 victory for the Candystripes. Duffy would have to wait until the 2013 season to feature more regularly, making his first competitive start in March against Cork City and scoring his first goal in June in a 1-0 win away to Shelbourne. He scored a total of four goals during the 2013 season—coincidentally all in Dublin—the goal against Shelbourne, another against UCD, and a brace against Bohemians in the quarterfinals of the League of Ireland Cup. The 2014 season was when Duffy became a key part of the Derry City team, featuring 43 times across all com-

By Jamie Daly, LOI Talk

petitions, scoring 16 goals, and providing 5 assists. Most notably, he scored the first hat-trick of his career against UCD, and the following week, bagged a brace against Bohemians. Derry City reached that year’s FAI Cup final, where Duffy played the full 90 minutes but couldn’t influence the result, as St. Patrick’s Athletic emerged victorious.

In February 2015, Duffy departed his boyhood club to sign for Scottish giants Celtic for a fee of £116,000. However, he never actually featured for Celtic, instead spending his time out on loan with Alloa Athletic and Dundee FC. His biggest moment in Scottish football came when he scored against Rangers for Alloa Athletic in a 1-1 draw. After almost exactly two years in Scotland, Duffy opted to return to Ireland to join Stephen Kenny’s Dundalk side.

Duffy’s first season at Dundalk showcased how much he

had grown as a player, scoring 8 goals and providing an incredible 18 assists in the league in 2017. Since assist records began in the League of Ireland, only one player has surpassed that total in a single season—and that player was Michael Duffy. In 2018, he recorded 23 assists and scored 13 goals in a season where Dundalk won both the league and the cup, with Duffy being named PFAI Player of the Year.

Dundalk’s dominance of Irish football continued for another couple of years, winning the league again in 2019 and the FAI Cup in 2020, with Duffy at the heart of it all.

Over his five years at the club, Duffy made 209 appearances, scored 54 goals, and provided 88 assists. During that time, he won two league titles, two FAI Cups, two League Cups, and a Player of the Year award—an incredibly successful spell.

It came to an end in January

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MICHAEL DUFFY: LOI GREAT continued...

2022, when Michael Duffy returned to his boyhood club to play under Ruaidhrí Higgins, a former teammate from his first stint at Derry City.

His return season was largely interrupted by injury, but he was back in time for the business end of the campaign.

In total, he featured 18 times across all competitions, scoring 3 goals and registering 4 assists—including setting up one of Derry’s four goals in their 2022 FAI Cup Final win over Shelbourne. Duffy started 2023 with a brilliant performance in the President’s Cup, scoring and assisting in a 2-0 win over Shamrock Rovers. Unfortunately, the 2023 season was also affected by injury, but Duffy still man-

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aged to play 32 times, scoring 10 goals and providing 11 assists across all competitions.

2024 was certainly Duffy’s most consistent season in his second spell with the Candystripes, featuring 25 times, scoring 9 goals, and provid-

ing 7 assists. He was a crucial part of Derry City’s run to the FAI Cup Final, memorably scoring two beautiful goals at Dalymount Park against Bohemians. Unfortunately, Derry came up second best to Drogheda United in the final.

For over a decade, Michael Duffy has been a standout player in the League of Ireland, and already this season, he is proving that he’s still one of the very best the league has at its disposal. No player in Premier Division history has more assists than Duffy, and he also ranks 11th on the all-time goalscorers list.

He has won everything there is to win in Irish football and is, without question, a true League of Ireland great.

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CORK

ROVERS

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SCORE

DATE

MAHER

MAHER

MAHER

MAHER

MAHER

MAHER

MAHER

MAHER

MAHER

MAHER

MAHER

MAHER

1

R BOYCE

R BOYCE

R BOYCE

R BOYCE

O’REILLY

CONNOLLY DUFFY

CONNOLLY DUFFY

CONNOLLY DUFFY

CONNOLLY DUFFY

O’REILLY

CONNOLLY DUFFY

CONNOLLY DUFFY 1

WHYTE

WHYTE 1

WHYTE 1

O’REILLY

WHYTE

DIALLO

HOBAN

7

DIALLO

DIALLO

BENSON

BENSON

BENSON

BENSON

THOMAS

THOMAS

THOMAS

CANN

CANN

8

CANN

CANN

DOHERTY

THOMAS

THOMAS

THOMAS

9

10

WINCHESTER MULLEN

WINCHESTER MULLEN 2

WINCHESTER MULLEN 1

WINCHESTER MULLEN

L BOYCE

L BOYCE

L BOYCE

11

TODD

HOLT

HOLT

HOLT

HOLT

HOLT

L BOYCE

TODD

TODD

TODD

L BOYCE 1

PATTON

HOLT

L BOYCE

L BOYCE

WINCHESTER HOLT

WINCHESTER MULLEN

THOMAS

THOMAS

DIALLO

WINCHESTER HOLT

WINCHESTER TODD

WINCHESTER TODD

WINCHESTER HOLT

MCMULLAN DOHERTY CANN

DOHERTY

DOHERTY

MCMULLAN WHYTE

O’REILLY

O’REILLY

O’REILLY

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MCMULLAN DOHERTY

O’REILLY

O’REILLY

O’REILLY

HOBAN

CONNOLLY DUFFY

CONNOLLY DUFFY 1

R BOYCE 1 DUFFY 1

R BOYCE

R BOYCE

5

FERGUSON CONNOLLY DUFFY 1

CONNOLLY DUFFY

R BOYCE

4

FERGUSON CONNOLLY DUFFY 1

3

FERGUSON HARKIN

R BOYCE

R BOYCE

2

13

BENSON

MULLEN

BENSON

BENSON

TODD

DOHERTY

PATTON

15

PATTON

PATTON

THOMAS

L BOYCE

MULLEN

TODD

O’REILLY

PATTON

PATTON

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L BOYCE1 PATTON

L BOYCE

TODD

PATTON

PATTON

DOHERTY TODD

McMULLAN CANN

FERGUSON HARKIN

O’REILLY

McMULLAN CANN

FERGUSON WHYTE

WHYTE

BENSON

DIALLO

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McMULLAN BENSON

FERGUSON HARKIN

HOBAN

HARKIN

HOBAN 1

HOBAN

McMULLAN WHYTE

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2025 STARTING XI TEAM GRID

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DERRY CITY VS SHELBOURNE: RECENT HIGHS & LOWS

By Pól O’Hare

Derry City 0-1 Shelbourne 2024 Premier Division 1st November 2024 Chasing a first Premier Division title since 1997 last year, Derry City were the side who pushed Shelbourne the closest throughout the 2024 season. Shelbourne started the campaign strongly and maintained their place at the top of the table for most of the season. Going into the final day, Derry City’s title hopes had already faded as the Candystripes failed to capitalise on opportunities to go top.

Shelbourne travelled to the Brandywell knowing that they needed a win to pip Shamrock Rovers to the Premier Division crown. After a cagey affair, Harry Wood struck on the 85th minute to give Shelbourne a late lead and send the away end into raptures.

It was Shelbourne’s first title since 2006, as City’s wait extended another year.

Derry City 4 – 0 Shelbourne 2022 FAI Cup Final 13th November 2022 After scoring fourteen goals and conceding just twice on the road to the FAI Cup final in 2022, Derry City met Shelbourne in their first trip to the Aviva in eight years. Derry’s second placed finish meant that European football for 2023 was already secured, but

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for Shelbourne, winning the cup and qualifying for Europe would have marked a successful first season back in the Premier Division. Both sides went into the final confident, but it was City who triumphed on the night. Buoyed on by over 20,000 travelling fans, Ruaidhrí Higgins’ men went into the break 2-0 up through goals by Jamie McGonigle and Cameron McJannet. English defender McJannet netted again on the hour mark to make it 3-0, before former Shels loanee Jordan McEneff converted a stoppage time penalty to ensure that Derry City lifted the FAI Cup for the sixth time - recording the highest margin of victory in FAI Cup final history in the process.

Derry City 7 – 3 Shelbourne 2018 EA Sports Cup QF 7th May 2018 This fixture was the hun-

dredth meeting between Derry City and Shelbourne and produced a goal-fest fit for the occasion. With a spot in the last four of the EA Sports Cup up for grabs, Ronan Curtis netted twice in fourteen minutes to see Derry take an early advantage. David O’Sullivan gave the travelling contingent hope by scoring two in quick succession, bringing the score to 2-2 just before the half hour mark. Before the half was out, Curtis had completed his hattrick. More goals from Rory Hale and Aaron McEneff saw Derry go into the interval leading 5-2. James English made it 5-3 with ten minutes to go, but Nicky Low and Nathan Boyle found City’s sixth and seventh goals. Kenny Shiels’ side were drawn away to Sligo Rovers in the semi-final, where Rory Hale struck again to send the Candystripes to the final. Derry City beat First Division side Cobh Ramblers

LIVE FOR IT

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

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RECENT HIGHS & LOWS continued...

3-1 in a sold-out Brandywell in the final, marking a record eleventh League cup triumph for the Candystripes.

Derry City 0 – 0 Shelbourne (3-0 Derry on penalties) Eircom League Cup 18th September 2006 2006 is a fabled year in the hearts of Derry City fans, as City completed an FAI Cup and League Cup double whilst setting off on a ‘European Odyssey’. The Candystripes played the first of two cup finals that year on the 18th of September, facing Shelbourne in the Brandywell after defeating Longford Town, Drogheda United and Limerick in earlier rounds. They faced a Shels side who had overcome Dublin City, Finn Harps and Bohemians to set up a blockbuster league cup final. With 83 minutes on the clock, City keeper David Forde was sent off for handling the ball outside of his box. Just seven minutes

into extra-time, midfielder Killian Brennan was shown his marching orders – meaning nine-man Derry had to go all-out-defence to usher the game to penalties. Substitute goalkeeper Pat Jennings was to be the hero, saving three Shelbourne penalties to claim the FAI Cup for City.

Shelbourne 2 - 2 Derry City, LOI Premier Division 22nd September 2006 & Derry City 2 - 0 Shelbourne LOI Premier Division 24th October 2006

Carrying on their form from Europe and the cup competitions, City performed in the league too - ending the season with an identical points, wins, draws and losses record as Shelbourne. On 22nd September, Derry raced to a twogoal lead in Tolka Park through goals from Paddy McCourt and Kevin Deery. After the dismissal of Derry goalkeeper Pat Jennings on the stroke of half-time, Shelbourne clawed the game back, which would eventually finish 2-2. Just over a month later, Shels travelled to the Brandywell, where two second half goals from McCourt and Ciarán Martyn saw the points go Derry’s way. It wasn’t too be in the end for City, who lost the league title on goal difference. To rub salt into the Derry wounds, Shelbourne were relegated to the First Division for the 2007 season due to financial issues, and wouldn’t return to the Premier Division until 2011, whilst Derry City took their spot in UEFA Champions League qualifying.

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This week... Derry City fan... JOE MCLAUGHLIN 1. Crystal Palace made it to the FA Cup Final, but which one club beat them the two times they’d reached the final before in 1990 and 2016?

4.

2. Shelbourne’s Daniel Kelly signed for Derry City from which club in 2024?

3. Which club signed Freddie Ljungberg when he left Arsenal after nine years in 2007?

4. Can you name the Manchester United player pictured on the right as a young boy?

5. In 2022, Killian Mbappé became only the second

8. player in history to do what in a World Cup Final?

6. Ipswich Town’s Massimo Luongo & Cameron Burgess are the only players in the Premiership from which nation?

7. Which player was involved in the highest transfer fee ever paid out by a Serie A club when he left La Liga for £88m in 2018?

8. Shelbourne assistant manager Joey O’Brien finished his playing career at which club?

JOE’S ANSWERS: 1) I’ll guess Arsenal?; 2) Dundalk; 3) Celtic; 4) Looks like Modric; 5) He scored a hat-trick didn’t he?; 6) No idea!; 7) Ronaldo?; 8) Shamrock Rovers

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

ANSWERS: 1) Manchester United; 2) Dundalk; 3) West Ham United; 4) Luka Modrić; 5) Score a hat-trick; 6) Australia; 7) Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid to Juventus); 8) Shamrock Rovers

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BE THE CHALLENGER! CONTACT ANDREW@DERRYCITYFC.NET

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