CityView Vol-41 No-09 - Derry City vs Shamrock Rovers - Friday 23rd May

DERRY CITY F.C. v SHAMROCK ROVERS F.C. LEAGUE OF IRELAND MEN’S PREMIER DIVISION MONDAY 23rd MAY 2025 | 7.45pm Vol. 41 - No. 09

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Welcome to...

SHAMROCK ROVERS 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 Shamrock Rovers.

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

We have a big game on our hands tonight. First versus second in the league as it stands! But as we all know this season, the league table is that tight this year that it could mean nothing at the end of the night.

Shamrock Rovers have played a game extra due to Monday night’s 4-0 win over St Pat’s, which has left them five points clear at the at top. A win for Derry City tonight would leave us 2 points behind them with a game in hand. The two sides

played out a 0-0 draw earlier this season back in March in Tallaght. The match also saw 2 red cards, Ed McGinty for a hand ball outside the box, and Danny Mullan for a second yellow.

For the bad news; Derry City haven’t won a league game at the Brandywell against Shamrock Rovers since 2022 when Jamie McGonigle’s famous 95th minute 30yrd rocket won the game 2-1 for City.

Let’s hope for more heroics tonight! Enjoy the game!

TONIGHT’S MATCH OFFICIALS: Referee: MARC LYNCH

Assistant 1: Robert Clarke |Assistant 2: Darragh Keegan Fourth Official: Daryl Carolan

TONIGHT’S MATCH SPONSOR:

PLEASE SUPPORT ALL OUR SPONSORS

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MESSAGE FROM THE MANAGER

I’d like to extend a warm welcome to the Ryan McBride Brandywell tonight to our visitors Shamrock Rovers, as well of course as our own supporters who are set to be here this evening in record numbers.

Obviously the atmosphere at games this season has been superb, but with capacity now growing considerably, there is an opportunity to turn our home into a real fortress.

I’m also well aware that we all have to play our part in making that happen and as a group it is our responsibility to do everything in our power to keep supporters coming back.

The new North Stand has been an excellent addition of course, and it will be a fantastic experience for the players tonight to play in front of the biggest home crowd in many years.

I was at Tallaght on Monday for Shamrock Rovers’ game against St Pats, and as well as being a big performance from the home team, you can’t help but notice what an impressive venue it is as well.

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It goes without saying that everyone at Derry City can be rightfully proud of the development at our own club in recent times. Most importantly, plans are in place for that work to continue over the coming years, and as we’ve said all along, this club has the potential to be the biggest in the country.

It will require a huge amount of work, not to mention investment, and on that subject I want to add my respects and those of the players and staff, to the family of our club President, Paul Diamond who passed away last week.

Paul has left an indelible mark on this club during

his 30-plus years’ involvement and the club, and the city as a whole, owe him a huge debt of gratitude.

His contribution as a board member, a chairman, a President, a sponsor and a Derry City fan has been immeasurable, and his is a huge loss to all of us.

Our deepest condolences to the entire family circle, many of whom will undoubtedly be here this evening. Our thoughts are very much with them.

Tiernan Lynch, Manager

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GLENTORAN VS DERRY CITY 1993 When Derry arrived at the Oval on Wednesday 4th August 1993 as opposition in Glentoran defender Terry Moore’s testimonial match it was their first visit to the Belfast ground for twenty-one years (the last occasion being 8th January 1972). Played in front of a big crowd the testimonial was an entertaining, if bruising, encounter.

City were to pay the penalty for failing to convert early pressure into goals. They should have taken a third minute lead when Mark Ennis was freed on the right but his low drive was well blocked by Smyth in the Glentoran goal.

With the Candystripes starting to dictate play the Glens snatched an unexpected lead.

A poor Derry clearance found Candliss in the middle of the park, he used his pace to break free from the cover and fed Hillis whose low shot beat Dermot O’ Neill in the visitors’

By Francie McCauley goal.

Minutes later City thought they had equalised when Paul Curran swung the ball home from six yards only to see his effort disallowed for offside.

The second half started at a slower pace and the game looked like slipping into mediocrity before two goals in a minute warmed the crowd. Firstly, in the sixty ninth minute, a block buster from twenty-five yards from veteran Glentoran striker Jameson was followed immediately with an equaliser, after good build up play, for the Candystripes

by Mark Nixon.

In the dying seconds of the game a weak Jameson shot was easily saved by O’Neill.

The benefit committee produced a 36-page programme (11 of adverts) for the occasion priced at £1. There were welcomes to Derry City from Moore himself, the testimonial committee and Glentoran FC. Both Derry and Glentoran had two pages of pen pictures.

Moore’s career in North America needed two pages as he moved around a bit. After starting out with Larne and Glentoran Moore headed to San Diego Sockers in 1979 before moving on to Tampa Bay Rowdies and Tulsa Roughnecks before returning to Glentoran in 1984. While at the Rough-

necks he won the US Superbowl.

Terry Moore had seventeen international caps for Canada as, although born in Belfast, he held Canadian citizenship. He was a member of their squad at the 1986 World Cup finals.

Eight pages of photos were dedicated to Moore. Two sports journalists, Malcolm Brodie and Jim Gracey, wrote tributes to the player as did representatives of the Canada FA and teams he had represented in the USA. Malcolm Brodie also provided a couple of pages on the Irish Cup finals of 1949, ’54 and ’64 between the Glens and the Candystripes with all finals being won by Derry. A page also carried the stats for Irish League matches between the two sides.

Team line ups were on the back page.

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WHEN IN ROME A few weeks ago the eyes of the world were focused on the Capital of Italy as the late Pope Francis was laid to rest and his successor Pope Leo XIV was introduced to teeming crowds in St. Peter’s Square. Francis, from Argentina, was very much a passionate follower of football in his native Buenos Aires where he supported San Lorenzo de Almagro. In their first game after his death the players wore jerseys with images of him and the words “Together for Eternity.” He was the most football loving Pope in all of history according to a journalist from Paraguay. In 2013 he was even accredited with helping Sunderland beat Newcastle according to the club chaplain (having been presented with a jersey at an audience just days before their derby game.) Although he never returned to his native country he hosted the late Diego Maradona in 2014 & the year before at an audience Lionel Messi presented him with an olive tree. Of course the late Pope wasn’t the first

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By Sean McGillan

to be involved with the beautiful game. Pope Paul Vl was a fan of Lazio who share the Olympic Stadium with their city rivals, Roma. Pope John Paul ll from Poland played in school and university teams as a goalkeeper. When he became “the keeper of the keys” he met the Irish team in a general audience just before their World Cup quarter final against Italy in 1990. Jack Charlton was expecting to be taken into a room “get some pictures taken, maybe a glass of wine or cup of coffee & then present him with a signed shirt.” This wasn’t the case and the Boss had to sit through several speeches in the Audience Hall which Jack said was the size of a football pitch ! He nodded off & as he woke up the Pope was finishing a blessing to all but which looked like he was waving at him - so he stood up & waved back !

However he still managed to present his host with an Ire-

land top & a football. In 1979 when Milan won the League they were addressed by John Paul ll who encouraged them to set a good example on & off the field. The new Pope is, according to press reports, “a lover of sports generally” but he is believed to be a big fan of AC Roma as he has lived in the city for around 12 years. It is believed that one of the local papers has indicated that the team are going to present him with a jersey with his name on the back. His friend & colleague, Giuseppe Pagano disclosed that Pope Leo commented jokingly that Roma’s recent victory over Fiorentina was the first miracle performed after the death of Pope Francis ! On my first visit to Rome in 1995 I managed to fit in a visit to the Olympic Stadium to watch Roma play AC Milan. But that’s a story for another day. The other highlight of my trip was that I got to shake hands with John Paul ll.

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NEWS FROM AROUND THE LEAGUE

2025 LEAGUE TABLE: Pld Pts Shamrock Rvrs

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DERRY CITY

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Bohemians

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Drogheda Utd

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St. Pat’s Athletic

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Shelbourne

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Waterford

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Galway United

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Cork City

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Sligo Rovers

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Last Round’s Results:

FRIDAY 16th MAY Galway Utd 0-1 Sligo Rovers Bohemian 1-0 Shelbourne Drogheda Utd 1-1 DERRY CITY St Pat’s Athletic 3-2 Cork City Waterford 1-3 Shamrock Rovers MONDAY 19th MAY Shamrock Rvrs 4-0 St Pats Athl Shlebourne 0-0 Drogheda Utd

NEXT GAME:

This Round’s Fixtures: FRIDAY 23rd MAY Galway United v Cork City Drogheda Utd v Bohemians Shelbourne v Sligo Rovers St Pat’s Athletic v Waterford DERRY CITY v Shamrock Rovers

Derry City vs Galway United Friday 13th June, 7.45pm

DERRY CITY LOTTO

Prize Pot: £1,100

Play online now at clubs.clubforce.com 11

LANDMARKS: CLUB RECORD FOR MAHER In recent games of the season, we have seen a few milestones for both the club and some players.

Firstly, the 3-1 away win in Galway was the 200th time we have scored more than 2 goals in the premier division and the 50th time to scores three goals away in the league.

In the 3-0 home win over Sligo Rovers, our second goal, scored by Gavin Whyte, was the 100th home goal we have scored against Sligo. We have now scored more home goals against Sligo than any other side Also in the Sligo game, Brian Maher kept his 50th league clean sheet, just the third goalkeeper to reach this milestone.

Dermot O’Neill was the first keeper to do so, in a home game against Cork City in December 1994, while Gerard Doherty kept his 50 league clean sheet in a home game against Galway United in May 2011.

Meanwhile, Liam Boyce’s strike

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By Brian Dunleavy

at the RSC was our 100th goal against Waterford. The Blues are the 13th side we have scored 100 gaols against, the others being Bohemians, Finn Harps, Sligo Rovers, St Patrick’s Athletic, Drogheda United, UCD, Bray Wanderers, Shelbourne, Galway United, Cork City, Shamrock Rovers and Dundalk.

Our recent home win over Shelbourne, saw us keep our 50th clean sheet against the Tolka Park side, while we also recorded our 100th league

goal against them in the same game. It was also the 350th time we have scored two goals in a game.

In the home game against St Patrick’s Athletic, Paul McMullan made his 50th league start for the club, becoming the 87th player to start 100 league games for the club. The first to do Kevin Mahon at home to Limerick City in December 1987, followed by Owen Da Gama away to Shamrock Rovers in April 1988 and Stuart Gauld away to Shelbourne in October 1988. The most recent players to reach this milestone were Adam O’Reilly, Mark Connolly and Sadou Diallo all last season.

Also in the St Pats game, Brian Maher made his 111th consecutive league appearance, setting a new club record, passing the 110 set by Dermot O’Neill 31 years earlier in 1994.

For the record, Gerard Doherty with 105, is the only other player to hace made a century of consecutive league appearances.

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C IS FOR CHILDHOOD...

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

GAVIN WHYTE

I grew up as a Celtic fan. My whole family were Celtic fans so I just grew up into it.

spared?

Ibiza or Dubai.

I IS FOR IDOL...

Which footballer did you idolise as a boy?

Henrik Larsson

D IS FOR DRESS SENSE...

Which Derry City team mate has the worst fashion sense?

Arlo Doherty! Big Arlo is definitely in for a shout for that one!

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?

Shane Ferguson. He just talks too much! I prefer to have a quiet trip!

B IS FOR BOX...

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

It would have to be Breaking Bad for me. I’ve re-watched it a few times now over the years.

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

For the movie I’ll go Wolf of Wall Street. And the music, I’d say the boys love a bit of ‘Pink Pony Club’ by Chappell Roan at the minute!

F IS FOR FUNNY...

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

I don’t think I can say!!

G IS FOR GOAL...

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

The best goal I ever scored was for Crusaders against Knockbreda in the Cup. I chipped it up and volleyed it just outside the box. But my favourite though was on my debut for Northern Ireland. I scored 35 seconds in!

H IS FOR HOLIDAY...

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

J IS FOR JOKER...

Who is the biggest practical joker in the team?

Carl Winchester is a joker but I’d say Shane Ferguson makes me laugh the most!

K IS FOR KIT...

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

The home Celtic kit when Roy Keane just joined. I had that shirt with his name on the back of it.

L IS FOR LIFE AFTER PLAYING...

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

No, I don’t think so. Probably not.

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M IS FOR MEMENTO...

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

Probably my League winners medals.

N IS FOR NEXT BIG

try a lot of skills, but I’d say myself or Dom Thomas maybe.

I’d drive a Lamborghini Uris if I was in the Premiership

T IS FOR TEAM MATES...

W IS FOR WHILE AWAY

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

Johnny Evans.

THING...

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

Sean Patton. He’ll do well across the water if he gets the chance.

And I’m sure he will.

THE TIME...

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

UNO. The boys love it. It’s a card game

X IS FOR EXCHANGE...

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

Rory McIlroy!

O IS FOR OPPOSITION...

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

Probably Shamrock Rovers.

P IS FOR PASSTIME...

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

Not much, but I’ve been playing golf a lot lately.

Q IS FOR QUIZ...

U IS FOR UNPARALLELED...

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

Virgil Van Dijk or Toni Kroos.

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

I’d say Carl Winchester or Glenn McCourt!

Y IS FOR YOUTH...

R IS FOR RESULT...

Which result meant the most to you in your career?

When I played for Crusaders one year we played Ballymena on the last game of the season to win the league and we scored a late goal to win it. That was special.

S IS FOR SKILLS...

Who has the best skills in the team?

There’s not many players who

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

I started at a local team in Belfast when I was younger. A team called Albion Star. I started as a winger.

V IS FOR VEHICLE...

What car do you drive now, and what would you drive if you were in the Premiership?

I drive a black Audi Q8 now. But

Z IS FOR ZERO CHANCE...

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

Rangers!

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CURRENT CANDYSTRIPES IN THE EUROPA LEAGUE Away from the League of Ireland, the Europa League final took place this week between Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United at the San Mamés stadium in Bilbao. A fair few of Derry City’s current squad have appeared in the competition throughout the qualification and group stages. Here, we’ll take a look at each member of the current Candystripes squad who have represented their respective clubs at the Europa League group stages or beyond in seasons gone by.

Most recently, Dundalk qualified for the group stages of the Europa League in 2020/21.

This squad featured a trio of current Derry players consisting of Michael Duffy, Pat Hoban, and Cameron Dummigan, as well as former player and current coach Patrick McEleney. Dundalk were drawn in a tough group containing Norway’s Molde (who will be familiar to tonight’s opponents having heartbreakingly gone out of this year’s Conference League on penalties against Molde in Tallaght), Rapid Vienna, and English giants Arsenal.

Dundalk played home games at an empty Aviva stadium due to Covid restrictions, and suffered 6 out of 6 defeats, finishing bottom of their group.

Pat Hoban did manage to grab himself a goal in a 4-3 defeat away to Rapid Vienna.

The Dundalk side that made the Europa League group

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By Shane MacDonald

stages in 2016/17 also featured a couple of familiar faces at the Brandywell, these being Patrick McEleney and Robbie Benson. Benson also featured in the competition’s qualifying rounds with UCD the season prior despite the club competing in the First Division at the time. Dundalk dropped straight into the group stages of the Europa League after a remarkable Champions League qualification campaign came to an end at the hands of Legia Warsaw.

Their group contained Zenit St. Petersburg, AZ Alkmaar, and Maccabi Tel Aviv. Despite finishing 4th in the group, Dundalk managed 4 points, with a win at ‘home’ (Tallaght) to Maccabi, and a 1-1 draw away to AZ, with Robbie Benson also managing a goal at home to Zenit.

The only City player to appear in the Europa League for a club other than Dundalk is one of this season’s new signings, Shane Ferguson. Shane

signed for Newcastle United from Maiden City’s academy in 2007 and went on to represent the club for 9 years, making 32 first team appearances.

Newcastle qualified for the Europa League in the 2012/13 season, off the back of an impressive Premier League campaign the season before where the club finished 5th.

After overcoming Greek side Atromitos in the playoff round, Newcastle were placed in a group with Bordeaux, Club Brugge, and Marítimo. Shane made 4 appearances for Newcastle in the competition, all of which coming at the group stages, at home to Bordeaux and Club Brugge, and away to Bordeaux and Marítimo.

Newcastle placed 2nd overall and advanced to the knockout stages of the competition, defeating Ukrainian side Metalist Kharkiv, and Anzhi Makhachkala from Russia before eventually being knocked out at the quarter final stage

by Benfica.

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TONIGHT’S SQUADS DERRY CITY F.C.

SHAMROCK ROVERS

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 - EDWARD MCGINTY 2 - JOSH HONOHAN 3 - ADAM MATTHEWS 4 - ROBERTO LOPES 5 - LEE GRACE 6 - DANIEL CLEARY 7 - DYLAN WATTS 8 - AARON MCENEFF 9 - AARON GREENE 10 - GRAHAM BURKE 11 - SEÁN KAVANAGH 14 - DANNY MANDROIU 15 - DARRAGH NUGENT 16 - GARY O’NEILL 17 - MATT HEALY 18 - TREVOR CLARKE 19 - SEAN ROBERTSON 20 - RORY GAFFNEY 21 - DANNY GRANT 22 - CIAN BARRETT 25 - LEE STEACY 26 - JOHN O’SULLIVAN 29 - JACK BYRNE 31 - MICHAEL NOONAN 36 - VICTOR OZHIANVUNA 97 - LEON PÖHLS

Manager: TIERNAN LYNCH

Manager: STEPHEN BRADLEY

Tonight’s Match Sponsors:

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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: Pat Hoban (9) + Paul McMullan (10) - Mark Connolly (6) = Robbie Benson (13) SPOT THE DIFFERENCE: 1) Adam O’Reilly has appeared on the left; 2) The ball has disappeared; 3) Supporter’s arm has disappeared on the right; 4) Extra pillar has appeared in the stand; 5) Steward has disappeared from the stand

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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 Fergal Tuffy is tonight’s guest in the Fanzone. Fergal has been supporting Derry City since 1985 and has some great views on all things Candystripe. Especially his all- time team. So confident is Fergal in his team selection that he didn’t even pick his three subs!

Best opposition player you’ve seen play?

Stephen Geoghan of Shelbourne Why? He was a real poacher and seemed to score so many goals for Shels.

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

Probably the Parc Des Prince in Paris when we played PSG. What goal sticks out in your mind?

Sean Hargan’s goal away to Gothenburg in 2006

Name: Fergal Tuffy How long have you been supporting Derry City?

Going on 40 years

Why? We went to Sweden as underdogs and no one expected Derry to win.

Name your best Derry City team (you can pick from any

era) One to Eleven with Three subs 1 Dermot O’Neill 2 Pascal Vaudequin 3 Sean Hargan 4 Mick Neville 5 Ryan McBride 6 Paul Doolin 7 Michael Duffy 8 Peter Hutton 9 Liam Coyle 10 Mark Farren 11 Paddy McCourt Best manager you’ve seen at Derry City?

Stephen Kenny Favourite half time snack?

I’m more a latte person What one thing would you introduce that you feel would improve the match day experience?

Have a pop-up shop selling merchandise at the Southend Park entrance as you come in from the Brandywell Road.

Where do you sit in the Brandywell?

Middle of the Southend Park stand, looking straight down the tunnel Best Player you’ve seen playing for the Candystripes?

Paddy McCourt Why? He was a gifted player who had you on the edge of your seat watching him take people on.

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OUR PRESIDENT: PAUL DIAMOND Whilst we gather this evening for a big game at the Brandywell, the major event for the club in recent weeks has been the passing of Club President, Paul Diamond.

The history of football clubs tends to focus on heroic moments centred around players, games or goals. And whilst that is true it is about the football club, not the team, but the club. In considering that, there is no doubt of the central role that Mr Diamond played in the modern history of this particular football club.

Paul was a lifelong fan of the club in the most sincere and genuine way. Like many, he first experienced supporting Derry in the Irish League and then the loss of senior football in the city. It appears that those of that era have a particular love for the club, as they realised what it was like to not have a club.

When Derry City joined the League of Ireland, it was “the thing” to be involved in. Maybe the trajectory was too meteoric, maybe the Treble came too early but many less committed drifted away as the 1980s and turned to the 1990s. Mr Diamond was focused on building out his own business and his own family, but he never lost that love of the Brandywell.

Like Paul, my City watching took place from the Glentoran Stand, a rather unique place to watch a game from. Not just the history of the stand, but more the eclectic nature of those watching from there. You

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By Kevin McDaid

would have anyone from the local clergy to the likes of Ollie Byrne, with a smattering of visiting scouts mixed in.

My first clear memory of Paul are the celebrations in the Dublin hotel after the 1995 FAI Cup Final. City had put aside the trauma of losing the League on the final day and then beat Shelbourne 2-1 to lift the Cup. As a youngster, I can just remember the explosion of joy in the hotel that evening a sense of pressure being lifted.

I saw people I knew - the likes of Kevin Friel, Jack McCauley and well as many I didn’t really know, such as Paul - revelling in the celebrations.

At that stage I was just a kid who was lucky enough to be in and around those occasions. 30 years on, I have a much better understanding of the amount of effort that takes to keep a club afloat in the League of Ireland, never mind compete. Looking back, I see much more clearly what days like that meant to people like Paul and the many others who

have served on boards over the years.

Paul’s financial backing and leadership was critical in securing the League title in 1997.

Felix put together a great team, but the funds were required to do so and the crowds were not there. Also, it took clear sighted vision from the board to gamble on the interpretation of the Bosman rules. City picked up Dykes, Keddy and Purdy and ended up in a complex legal dispute with the FAI which ended up in mediation and later in court. However it also ended with City clinching the League title.

Paul stepped down from the board and focused on business and family, but unlike many others, he kept going to the Brandywell. Every Sunday, himself and Mary would still be there. As further financial crises buffeted the club, Paul was always still there.

My closest regular interactions with Paul would have been in the period when Colin Green and I started commentary,

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OUR PRESIDENT: PAUL DIAMOND continued... long before Drive105 or LOITV came on the horizon. In the Glentoran Stand the press box was a row at the back of the stand that had a table in front of it. Paul, Mary and their good friend WIllie Doyle sat in front of us. They very patiently put up with our rather chaotic style and would have chatted at half time about incidents, or players that had impressed.

Paul’s presence in helping Derry City get back into football after the implosion of Wellvan and the double contracts scandal should not be underestimated.

He was seen as a steady pair of hands and was part of the discussions with FAI leadership. It should be remembered that it was far from certain if we would be re-admitted to the LOI. The reputation and standing of Paul and others such as Philip were critical for us to find a way back into the League In later years, we would work with Paul and his son Niall on kit designs and how the Dia-

mond logo would look on new shirts. His pride in having his firm’s name on the club shirts was unmistakable and it was infectious. Here was a person that had achieved so much and yet was genuinely excited about the width of stripes, or if there is any way that there could be hooped socks for that season. The length of the sponsorship is a testament to the family’s passion for the club, but the very real and tangible backing for the Football Club.

This has also been shown by the support of Institute and many other causes around the city.

Football clubs run on the basis of an engine, fuelled by passion and a desire for success. It needs managers and players to get a team on a pitch, but a club is much more than that. Paul didn’t just turn up for a match and expect to be entertained.

He put his hand in his pocket to save and keep the club afloat at times. He put his shoulder to

the wheel, and got others to do the same to make sure that unlike his own youth, there would always be a Derry City in senior football.

To Mary, Niall, Gerard and the family circle I pass on my sincere condolences. Yours is a much bigger loss than ours and you will be in our thoughts and prayers. However know that he was also a much loved part of this wider Derry City family and we will also miss deeply.

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SHAMROCK ROVERS XI, AN ALL-IRELAND NATIONAL TEAM AND WELCOMING THE WORLD CHAMPIONS

Two years after the Irish Football Association (IFA) was formed in 1880, the Irish national team took on England in their first international match, losing 130. Played at Bloomfield Park in Belfast, Ireland wore blue with a crest consisting of an Irish cross, a harp, and a wreath of shamrocks. 1921 saw the partition of Ireland and the formation of the Football Association of Ireland (FAI), following the breakaway of the Leinster Association from the IFA, marking the end of the all-Irish football team.

The Troubles half-a-century later would have, in theory at least, hampered any chances of achieving another all-Ireland national team. Despite this, in 1970, the IFA’s President William Drennan felt that ‘both Irish bodies should be working towards an all-Ireland side’.

FIFA President Stanley Rous was also quoted in welcoming ‘any move to fuse’ the IFA and FAI. It seemed, therefore, that the threat of violence in Northern Ireland was not perceived to be the hindrance to Irish footballing unity as would be assumed.

As the idea of an all-Irish football team became increasingly popular in the early 1970s, businessman and former FAI President Louis Kilcoyne, along with his brother in law Johnny Giles and international striker Derek Dougan, organised an exhibition match between Ireland and the world champions, Brazil.

The Pelé-led team of 1970 is remembered as one of the best in history, although it wasn’t the first visit to Ireland for a Brazilian

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By Pól O’Hare

side in the early 70s. Kilcoyne had previously welcomed Pelé and his world famous Santos side to Dalymount Park to face a Bohemians-Drumcondra selection in 1972. Santos won 3-2 in Dalymount, as 30,000 watched on.

Wolverhampton Wanderers forward Dougan did not receive support from the IFA, and subsequently did not play for the Northern Ireland national team again, but he convinced fellow NI internationals Martin O’Neill, Pat Jennings, David Craig, Alan Hunter, Liam O’Kane, and Brian Hamilton to take part. Derek Dougan felt that IFA President Harry Cavan canvassed to get the match cancelled, as concerns grew over appetite for a merger. The FAI also had their reservations, so the team was to be called ‘Shamrock Rovers XI’.

Liam Tuohy, who managed the Irish side, was a former player and manager of Shamrock Rovers, although the Irish side featured players playing only in England.

Then three time World Cup winners Brazil won the game 4-3,

despite an Irish rally to nearly come back from 4-1. Running the World Champions close was a feat characterised as ‘magnificent’ by Michael Brophy of the Irish Independent. The match saw Brazil, who included the likes of Rivellino and Jairzinho in their squad, concede more than two goals for the first time on their European Tour. The story made front page news the day after the fixture, showing the significance of not just having the star-studded Brazilian team in Dublin, but the political importance of witnessing the first all-Ireland football team since the one fielded in the Olympic Games in 1948.

Attended by 34,000 people in Lansdowne Road, only the Brazilian national anthem was sung and their flag was the only one on display, despite the chorus of ‘A Nation Once Again’ in the terraces. The Irish Times’ Seamus Devlin dubbed the side ‘the United Irishmen’, stating ‘if ever there was a case for burying the hatchet… between the associations North and South of the border, this was it…

LIVE FOR IT

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

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SHAMROCK ROVERS XI & WORLD CHAMPIONS continued... (the players) knitted together as if they had been clubmates all their lives’. Tuohy, the Irish manager, felt that the performance showed the potential of an all-Ireland national team and urged each FA to enter talks.

Nine meetings were held between the FAI and IFA, most of which came in the late 70s. Rioting at a European Cup game

between Dundalk and Linfield in 1979 didn’t help matters as both FAs showed concern at possible reduced revenue streams.

The international teams of the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland saw success in the final thirty years of the century, however. Northern Ireland qualified for the World Cups of Spain

‘82 and Mexico ‘86, reaching the Second Round in the former.

The Republic of Ireland reached the quarter-finals at Italia ’90, as well as Round of 16 in USA ’94 and again in Japan/South Korea in 2002. Neither side have qualified for a World Cup since, as the fifty-second anniversary of the ‘Shamrock Rovers XI’ all-Ireland team’s famous meeting with Brazil approaches in July.

LAST DAY OF THE SEASONS EVERYWHERE ELSE We’ve been seeing the last game of the season in leagues throughout Europe and beyond last week and this week, and we’ve seen some runaway winners and some close fought battles, but there are stories you may have missed as well.

Roma fans put together a spectacular TIFO display for Claudio Ranieri who’s retiring at the end of the season. Jurgen Klopp is rumoured to be favourite to take over from him.

Galatasaray’s 38yo goalkeeper Fernando Muslera got himself on the scoresheet in what was believed to be his final match for the club he’s been with since 2011. An 89th minute penalty scored by the keeper sealed a 3-0 win that saw Galatasaray become Süper Lig champions.

That was pretty daring to let

the goalkeeper hit a penalty, but not as daring as the penalty taken in France. Le Havre needed to win to stay in the league.

Drawing 2-2 with Strasbourg in the 99th minute, they were awarded a penalty with the last kick of the game. Striker Abdoulaye Touré stepped up and dared to ‘panenka’ it! Thankfully it worked out!

Elsewhere, Ronaldo’s son, Cristiano Ronaldo Júnior, scored his first two goals for Portugal U15s and then ran off and hit his dad’s ‘Siu’ celebration!

In Germany, Frankfurt qualified for the Champions League and all their players responded celebrating in a petrol station on the way home! (Pictured right) A scheduled toilet stop turned into a full party as the players let the celebration spill out of the bus and into the services!

FC Schalke fans had a banner for their players at their last game saying ‘Have a nice summer break you losers’! What a nice bunch of fans!

Jamie Vardy finished his Leicester City story by scoring his 200th goal in his 500th and last appearance ever.

Inter Milan won’t be happy with their striker Marko Arnautovic, who missed an open goal from 6yrds in the final moments of the game that would have put them above Napoli at the top of the table.

Napoli only drew against Palma, so there’s only 1 point in it going into the final games this weekend to set up more end of season drama!

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This week... Derry City fan... PAUL CAMPBELL 1. How many former Candystripes are in tonight’s Shamrock Rovers squad?

4.

2. Ashley Young transferred from Manchester United to Inter Milan in 2011, but which English player made the transfer between the same two clubs in 1997?

3. Aaron Greene has worn number 9 for Shamrock Rovers since 2019 but which player wore it before him between 2017-2019?

4. Can you name the footballing legend pictured on the right in an Arsenal shirt despite never playing for them?

5. Which English club’s crest features a quote in Latin that

2. translates as ‘Nothing but the best is good enough?

6. Which player finished as top scorer of the French Ligue 1 this season?

7. Manchester United signed Teddy Sheringham from Spurs in 1997, but who did he sign for after leaving Old Trafford in 2001?

8. Who set the record as the oldest player ever to play for Shamrock Rovers when he played in the Brandywell against Derry City on October 30th 2022?

PAUL’S ANSWERS: 1) One, Aaron McEneff; 2) No idea!; 3) Can’t think, Jack Byrne?; 4) Zlatan; 5) Everton; 6) Don’t know; 7) He went to West Ham I think; 8) 2022 is too late for Damien Duff. Maybe Stephen McPhail?

PAUL’S SCORE: 2 out of 8! Can you beat it?

ANSWERS: 1) Two (Aaron McEneff & Sean Robertson); 2) Paul Ince; 3) Daniel Carr; 4) Zlatan Ibrahimovic; 5) Everton (Nil Satis Nisi Optimum); 6) Andrey Santos (Strasbourg); 7) Tottenham Hotspur; 8) Alan Mannus

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BE THE CHALLENGER! CONTACT ANDREW@DERRYCITYFC.NET

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