CityView Vol-41 No-19 - Derry City vs Shamrock Rovers - Sunday 26th October

DERRY CITY F.C. v SHAMROCK ROVERS F.C. LEAGUE OF IRELAND MEN’S PREMIER DIVISION FRIDAY 26th OCTOBER 2025 | 3.00pm Vol. 41 - No. 19

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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:

Patrick McEleney

GK Coach:

Anthony Fennelly

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 final home game of 2025 against Shamrock Rovers.

Welcome also to Stephen Bradley (assuming the helicopter was on time), his staff and players, and the officials and supporters who have travelled up the road from Tallaght this evening.

And I’d imagine there’ll be quite a few away fans this afternoon!

It’s first versus second and although it’s highly unlikely for Dewrry City to win the league, it is still mathematically possible, and it’s that fact that’s holding off Shamrock Rovers’ celebrations.

A very similar scenario to 2024, the visiting team to the Brandywell need a win or a draw to lift the title here this evening.

So we’ll need massive support this evening from everyone to avoid turning the Bradywell into the place that other teams come

to lif the league trophy!

Two Shamrock Rovers wins and one 0-0 draw so far this season between the two clubs, so let’s hope Rovers are suffering from a ‘European hangover’ after playing Celje on Thursday night. Hopefully the players are as tired as their manager this afternoon after he ran the Dublin marathon this morning for a great cause!

We’re unbeaten in the league now since early August when Shamrock Rovers won in Tallaght, but let’s just make sure we spoil the party here tonight!

TONIGHT’S MATCH OFFICIALS: Referee: PAUL McLAUGHLIN

Assistant 1: Robert Clarke |Assistant 2: Wayne McDonnell Fourth Official: Ryan Maher

TONIGHT’S MATCH SPONSOR:

CARROWREAGH LIMITED DERRY PLEASE SUPPORT ALL OUR SPONSORS

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MESSAGE FROM THE MANAGER

I’d like to welcome you all to our final home game of the season and as final games go, there’s an awful lot at stake here this afternoon.

Our visitors Shamrock Rovers have had another excellent year, both at home and in Europe, and they have set the standard for the rest of the league in recent times.

Stephen Bradley has done a fantastic job there, however our only concern for now is ourselves as today’s game means everything to us as well.

Our lads have battled really well all season and the way they have given absolutely every last ounce in our latest wins against Sligo and Waterford proves they know exactly what it means to play for this club.

We’ve had a bad run of things with so many injuries in the final few weeks but the players haven’t let it get to them; in fact they’ve probably used it as motivation.

I honestly can’t tell you how proud I am of this group of players and staff and hopefully they’re two games

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away from bringing European football back to the Brandywell.

This is also an opportunity for me to pay tribute to our supporters who have backed us, home and away, throughout the season.

I understand that fans have been disappointed at times, and that’s fair enough, but they have also got right behind us as we’ve got stronger.

We go into today’s game on a run of eight unbeaten in what is a fiercely competitive league and we haven’t lost at the Brandywell since May, apart from a cup penalty shoot-out.

We’ve got two huge games

to go now, starting today, and hopefully by next weekend we will have given you something to shout about.

After that we’ll be getting straight down to work to try to build on our first season.

It is a pleasure and a privilege to manage this fantastic club and we’ll be working tirelessly over the coming months to bring the success it deserves.

Thank you,

Tiernan Lynch, Manager

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STRABANE VS DERRY CITY 1992 On Tuesday 28th July 1992 Derry City made the short journey to Melvin Park in Strabane to take on the local club in a pre-season friendly.

According to the Strabane Chronicle, Strabane were unlucky to lose. They turned in a brave performance in front of a healthy crowd of 1500 who gave the Derry men a warm welcome and then continued to give the visitors a tough game.

Strabane’s central defenders, O’Brien and Porter, were a match for what Derry’s stars threw at them early on and gradually, the home side got into the game with midfielders, McGinley, McGettigan, McHugh and the darting Donaldson, getting to grips and were able to supply strikers Doherty and Roach with the ball.

Roach brought the crowd to their toes on the 12th minute when he was unlucky to see a powerful shot crash off the crossbar.

Good defending by Strabane, especially by keeper Harkin,

By Francie McCauley kept City at bay as the first half ended scoreless.

There were further good saves from Harkin in the second half, but on 64 minutes the Candystripes slipped home what proved to be the crucial goal of the match when Deeney steered the ball home.

Strabane battled to the end with Donaldson having the best of the chances as Derry held on for their win.

During the half time interval City captain, Stuart Gauld, presented the D and D under 11 trophy and medals to local side, Townsend United.

The half time draw for £100 was won by Vincent Bonner from Eden Terrace.

To mark the occasion Strabane issued a programme of eight pages (no adverts) on duck egg blue paper and priced at 20p. There was a welcome from the chairman to Derry City on what was their first visit as a senior club to the town.

‘Strabane Connections’ noted the close affinity to Derry City FC of the people of the town and named players who had turned out for the Candystripes in the ‘60s and early ‘70s. In the cur-

rent squad where Paul Hegarty and Gregory Kearney.

A page was devoted to a photo of Strabane’s successful ’87-‘88 team which won the North West Cup, the Northern Ireland Intermediate League Challenge Cup and had made the final of the Intermediate League Cup. There was also a photo of the Strabane team which defeated Derry in the Intermediate Cup first round at the Brandywell in the ’80‘81 season.

There was a pen picture of Gregory Kearney and mention was made of previous matches between the clubs in the Intermediate League. Strangely, there were no names listed on the Line-ups page. Admission ticket was £1 which included entry to the match and the half time draw. A well-known figure in Strabane football, Felix McCrossan was the referee.

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LASTMINUTE.COM!!

I have been supporting Derry since the mid 1950s and over the years I have left the game early only twice - once in 1990 when Manchester United were leading 1-0 and then when it was scoreless against Sligo in their last home game. Needless to say back then Joe Hanrahan equalised in the 91st minute with “ a cracking strike” and Michael Duffy’s did the business with a downward header after 4 minutes added time to give City the 3 points. “It ain’t over till it’s over” is a well known mantra in sport and there are countless examples of teams scoring the winner in added time. It happened in Lisbon a fortnight ago when a valiant display from Ireland including an incredible penalty save by Kelleher only to see Ruben Neves win the game with a powerful header in the 91st minute. Back here at the Aviva in the 2016 Cup Final Cork City beat Dundalk in the last minute of extra time after Maguire got the ball from a throw in and then managed to get a low shot in which took a slight deflection before ending up in the far corner of the net.

This victory avenged the previ-

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By Sean McGillan

ous year’s result when Dundalk lifted the Cup after beating the Leesiders 1-0 with an extra time winner. Across in Europe there have been several European ties that have “gone down to the wire.” The 1999 Champions League Final saw Manchester United take on Bayern Munich in the Nou Camp, Barcelona. The Reds were a goal down as early as the 6th minute when Basler beat the wall & Schmeichel who was caught flat footed !

Bayern defended well in the first half and the goal scorer was prominent in the second half with several shots at goal & assists. Manager Ferguson introduced Sheringham and moved Giggs to the other wing.

With the game seemingly slipping away Solskjaer was then brought on and with 5 minutes left both subs forced saves from the German keeper before Jancker’s overhead kick came back of the crossbar. 3 minutes were added and in desperation the United keeper went up for a Beckham corner which

went over his head to Yorke who sent it into the crowded box where Fink failed to clear it properly & Giggs’ attempted shot was poorly hit but reached Sheringham who swiped at the ball which ended up in the net. With 2 minutes remaining another corner from Beckham was headed down by Sheringham across the goal where it was met by Solskjaer who stuck out a foot and hit it into the roof of the net. The super subs had won it for United. It was deja vu for Munich who contested the 1987 European Cup Final against Porto only to lose by 2 late goals. Watch highlights on You Tube & see Schmeichel do cartwheels as the Red Devils got the winner. Finally the last FAI Cup Final played at Landsdowne Road featured the Candystripes against St. Patrick’s Athletic, a game that has been voted the best ever Final to dare. Derry won 4-3 after extra time after being down 2-1 and 3-2 ,scoring twice in extra time in the 106th & 109th minutes !

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NEWS FROM AROUND THE LEAGUE

2025 LEAGUE TABLE: Pld Pts Shamrock Rvrs

33

63

DERRY CITY

34

57

Shelbourne

34

55

Bohemians

34

51

St. Pat’s Athletic

34

50

Drogheda Utd

34

50

Galway United

33

37

Sligo Rovers

34

37

Waterford

34

37

Cork City

34

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Last Round’s Results:

This Round’s Fixtures:

FRIDAY 17th OCTOBER Galway United 2-0 Bohemian Waterford 1-2 DERRY CITY Drogheda Utd 1-0 Cork City Shelbourne 3-1 Sligo Rovers St Pats Athl 1-0 Shamrock Rvrs

FRIDAY 24th OCTOBER St Pat’s Athletic v Waterford Galway Utd v Drogheda Utd

MONDAY 20th OCTOBER Bohemians 0-0 St Pats Athletic

SATURDAY 25th OCTOBER Sligo Rovers v Cork City SUNDAY 26th OCTOBER Bohemian v Shelbourne DERRY CITY v Shamrock Rovers

DERRY CITY LOTTO

Prize Pot: £1,500

Play online now at clubs.clubforce.com 11

LAST TWO LEAGUE GAMES...

DERRY CITY 1 - 0 SLIGO ROVERS: The Late Late Show is ususally on RTE on a Friday night, but this one was live at the Brandywell as Michael Duffy grabbed City’s winner 9 seconds from the final whistle on the 94th minute. A massive 3 points for City!

WATERFORD 1 - 2 DERRY CITY: Michael Duffy again! After providing an assist to Gavin Whyte for Derry City’s first, Duffy capitalised on a defensive error to score the second (and winning) goal just before half time as City continued their unbeaten league run to 8 games.

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C IS FOR CHILDHOOD...

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

DIPO AKINYEMI

I grew up supporting Arsenal.

I just got into them just from watching Thierry Henry play and that was me hooked!

D IS FOR DRESS SENSE...

spared?

I’ve been to Dubai before and loved it, but I’d love to go to L.A. some day.

I IS FOR IDOL...

Which footballer did you idolise as a boy?

Thierry Henry got me into Arsenal, so I’d say him.

Which Derry City team mate has the worst fashion sense?

It has to be big Arlo because of the pink Crocs he wears into training!

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! He’s always farting! There’s something not right with him!

B IS FOR BOX...

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

I’d say it’s between Game of Thrones and Breaking Bad!

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

Music, I would be putting on Brent Faiyaz.

For the film, I’d put on Den Of Thieves with Gerard Butler & 50 Cent.

F IS FOR FUNNY...

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

I’ve seen some really bad initiation songs! Too many to name!

G IS FOR GOAL...

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

I’d say it’s between two...

Bromley Away when I was with York, or else Dundee FC at home when I was with Ayr United.

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?

There’s a few lads that enjoy a laugh, but I’d say Fergie. Shane Ferguson.

K IS FOR KIT...

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

Probably the shirt I made my football league debut in.

L IS FOR LIFE AFTER PLAYING...

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

Yeah, I would like to. But who knows what could happen in the future. Hopefully it’s a long way off.

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M IS FOR MEMENTO...

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

My Scottish PFA player of the year award.

N IS FOR NEXT BIG

There’s a few, but I’m going to give it to myself if I can!

T IS FOR TEAM MATES...

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

Charlie Lee at Stevenage.

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

There’s a lot of talent in that squad, but I’d say Michael Duffy deserves recognition from the International squad at least.

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

Not much, I play PS5 most of the time, watch movies, play basketball, or play Monopoly with friends and family.

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

Lewis Hamilton!

U IS FOR UNPARALLELED...

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

I played against Étienne Capouein England. He used to play for Spurs and Watford

Q IS FOR QUIZ...

Y IS FOR YOUTH...

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

Ads! Adam O’Reilly

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

I started my career at Potter Bar Town. And I’ve always been a No.9.

R IS FOR RESULT...

Which result meant the most to you in your career?

Probably the last home game I played at York against Woking last season.

S IS FOR SKILLS...

Who has the best skills in the team?

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THE TIME...

X IS FOR EXCHANGE...

O IS FOR OPPOSITION...

P IS FOR PASSTIME...

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

Not much, I ususally just watch Netflix and play Uno with the boys!

THING...

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

I’d say Bohemians maybe. The atmosphere was great in the last few games.

were in the Premiership?

I drive a Mercedes A Class at the minute. If I was on big Premiership wages though I’d get a Rolls Royce!

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?

As an Arsenal fan, I don’t think I could ever play for Spurs!

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H

H

A

H

H

A

H

A

A

H

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A

A

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A

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A

H

A

H

A

H

A

H

A

05.05.25

09.05.25

16.05.25

23.05.25

30.05.25

13.06.25

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27.06.25

04.07.25

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25.07.25

01.08.25

08.08.25

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29.08.25

12.09.25

19.09.25

26.09.25

03.10.25

17.10.25

24.10.25

01.11.25

11.04.25

02.05.25

H

04.04.25

A

H

28.03.25

25.04.25

A

15.03.25

A

A

07.03.25

H

H

03.03.25

21.04.25

A

28.02.25

18.04.25

H

21.02.25

L

SHELS

SLIGO

WATERFORD

DROGHEDA

PATS

SHELS

GALWAY

BOHS

ROVERS

DROGHEDA

CORK

PATS

SHELS

WATERFORD

SLIGO

GALWAY

DROGHEDA

CORK

ROVERS

SLIGO

GALWAY

PATS

WATERFORD

BOHS

CORK

ROVERS

BOHS

L

L

L

L

L

L

L

L

L

CORK

ROVERS

WATERFORD

SLIGO

DROGHEDA

SHELS

BOHS

PATS

GALWAY

CUP DROGHEDA

L

L

L

CUP TREATY

L

L

L

L

L

L

L

L

L

L

L

L

L

L

L

L

L

L

L

L

L

L

L

2--1

1--0

1--1

1--1

4--3

2--2

2--1

1--1

0--0

0--2

1--1

5--1

0--2

7--2

3--0

1--0

1--0

1--1

0--1

1--2

1--1

2--1

1--0

2--0

1--2

3--0

3--2

1--3

2--1

0--0

1--0

1--1

0--2

1--2

1--0

1--3

A

H

14.02.25

SCORE

DATE

MAHER

MAHER

MAHER

MAHER

MAHER

MAHER

MAHER

MAHER

MAHER

MAHER

MAHER

MAHER

MAHER

MAHER

MAHER

MAHER

MAHER

MAHER

MAHER

MAHER

MAHER

MAHER

MAHER

MAHER

MAHER

MAHER

MAHER

MAHER

MAHER

MAHER

MAHER

MAHER

MAHER

MAHER

MAHER

MAHER

1

CONNOLLY DUFFY

CONNOLLY DUFFY

CONNOLLY DUFFY

CONNOLLY DUFFY 1

R BOYCE

R BOYCE

R BOYCE

DUFFY

R BOYCE

R BOYCE

O’REILLY

WHYTE

WHYTE

DIALLO1

DIALLO

DIALLO

DIALLO

WHYTE

WHYTE

DIALLO

DIALLO

AKINYEMI

CONNOLLY DUFFY 1

CONNOLLY DUFFY 1

CONNOLLY DUFFY O’REILLY

O’REILLY

O’REILLY

WHYTE 1

DIALLO

DIALLO

DIALLO

O’REILLY 2 AKINYEMI 1 DIALLO

O’REILLY

CANN

CANN

DOHERTY

THOMAS

THOMAS

CANN

CANN

CANN

BENSON

CANN

CANN

FLEMING

FLEMING

WHYTE

DIALLO

DIALLO

CANN

FLEMING

FLEMING

HOLT

DIALLO

FRIZZELL

CANN

FLEMING

FLEMING

TODD

FLEMING

STOTT

STOTT

BANNON

BANNON

TODD

BANNON

BANNON 1

L BOYCE

L BOYCE

L BOYCE

BANNON 1

L BOYCE

L BOYCE 3

L BOYCE

L BOYCE 1

L BOYCE

TODD

TODD

L BOYCE

L BOYCE

L BOYCE 1

MULLEN 1

L BOYCE 1

TODD

TODD

TODD

L BOYCE 1

PATTON

HOLT

L BOYCE

L BOYCE

WINCHESTER STOTT

WINCHESTER MULLEN

WINCHESTER MULLEN 1

WINCHESTER STOTT

TODD

FLEMING

WINCHESTER STOTT

WINCHESTER STOTT

WINCHESTER STOTT

DIALLO

FLEMING

FLEMING

BANNON

BANNON

TODD

WINCHESTER BANNON

WINCHESTER SCOTT

WINCHESTER TODD FLEMING

TODD

TODD 1

TODD

TODD

HOLT1

HOLT

TODD

TODD

TODD

WINCHESTER TODD

WINCHESTER HOLT

WINCHESTER HOLT

WINCHESTER HOLT

WINCHESTER HOLT

WINCHESTER MULLEN

WINCHESTER MULLEN

WINCHESTER HOLT

CANN

HOLT

HOLT

HOLT

HOLT

L BOYCE

WINCHESTER HOLT

WINCHESTER HOLT 1 BENSON

TODD

HOLT

WINCHESTER HOLT

WINCHESTER MULLEN

WINCHESTER MULLEN 2

L BOYCE

L BOYCE

L BOYCE

11

WINCHESTER HOLT

WINCHESTER MULLEN

THOMAS

THOMAS

DIALLO

WINCHESTER HOLT

WINCHESTER MULLEN 1

CANN

10

WINCHESTER TODD

WINCHESTER MULLEN

AKINYEMI WHYTE

DIALLO

CANN

CANN

CANN

CANN

CANN

9 WINCHESTER TODD

WINCHESTER HOLT

MCMULLAN CANN

WHYTE

THOMAS

THOMAS

THOMAS

CANN

CANN

MCMULLAN CANN

WHYTE

WHYTE

WHYTE

O’REILLY

O’REILLY

BENSON

BENSON

BENSON1

BENSON

AKINYEMI 1 WHYTE

AKINYEMI

WHYTE

AKINYEMI

DIALLO

DIALLO

8 THOMAS

MCMULLAN DOHERTY CANN

DOHERTY

DOHERTY

AKINYEMI 1 DIALLO

O’REILLY 2 AKINYEMI BENSON

DUFFY 1

CONNOLLY DUFFY

CONNOLLY DUFFY

CONNOLLY DUFFY

O’REILLY

O’REILLY

CONNOLLY DUFFY

FERGUSON CONNOLLY DUFFY

CONNOLLY DUFFY

R BOYCE

WHYTE

WHYTE

WHYTE

WHYTE

O’REILLY

FERGUSON CONNOLLY DUFFY

CONNOLLY1 DUFFY

CONNOLLY DUFFY

R BOYCE

R BOYCE

R BOYCE

R BOYCE

R BOYCE 1 CONNOLLY DUFFY

R BOYCE

R BOYCE

CONNOLLY DUFFY

O’REILLY

O’REILLY

O’REILLY

O’REILLY

FERGUSON CONNOLLY DUFFY

FERGUSON CONNOLLY DUFFY

R BOYCE

WHYTE

WHYTE 1

WHYTE 1

O’REILLY

WHYTE

DIALLO

HOBAN

7

MCMULLAN WHYTE

O’REILLY

O’REILLY

O’REILLY

6

MCMULLAN DOHERTY

O’REILLY

O’REILLY

O’REILLY

HOBAN

FERGUSON CONNOLLY DUFFY 1

CONNOLLY DUFFY

CONNOLLY DUFFY

CONNOLLY DUFFY

CONNOLLY DUFFY

O’REILLY

CONNOLLY DUFFY

CONNOLLY DUFFY 1

FERGUSON CONNOLLY DUFFY

HARKIN

R BOYCE

R BOYCE

R BOYCE

R BOYCE

R BOYCE

R BOYCE

R BOYCE

O’REILLY

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

WHYTE

MULLEN

CANN

FRIZZELL

WHYTE

BANNON

DOHERTY MULLEN

FRIZZELL MULLEN

DUMMIGAN

MULLEN

CANN

BANNON

TODD

DUMMIGAN TODD

BENSON

DUMMIGAN

MULLEN

PATTON

FRIZZELL MULLEN

MULLEN 1

DUMMIGAN

DUMMIGAN

PATTON

DOHERTY FRIZZELL MULLEN

CONNOLLY WHYTE WHYTE

MULLEN

L BOYCE

DOHERTY THOMAS

TODD

FRIZZELL MULLEN 1 L BOYCE 3

MULLEN

L BOYCE

DOHERTY MULLEN 1

MULLEN

TODD

TODD

AKINYEMI DOHERTY MULLEN

WHYTE

BENSON

CANN

BENSON

CONNOLLY BENSON

BENSON

O’REILLY

R BOYCE

R BOYCE

R BOYCE

O’REILLY

BENSON

O’REILLY

BENSON

McMULLAN BENSON

PATTON

PATTON

16

L BOYCE 1 PATTON

L BOYCE

TODD

PATTON

PATTON

McMULLAN BENSON

McMULLAN BENSON

THOMAS

BENSON

McMULLAN BENSON

FERGUSON O’REILLY

O’REILLY

THOMAS

MULLEN

O’REILLY

McMULLAN THOMAS

FERGUSON O’REILLY

HOBAN

PATTON

PATTON

THOMAS

L BOYCE

MULLEN

TODD

McMULLAN MULLEN

BENSON

McMULLAN DIALLO

R BOYCE

HOBAN

HOBAN

HARKIN

WHYTE

MCMULLAN BENSON

DOHERTY

PATTON

15

DOHERTY TODD

McMULLAN CANN

FERGUSON HARKIN

O’REILLY

MCMULLAN CANN

FERGUSON WHYTE

WHYTE

BENSON

DIALLO

14

McMULLAN BENSON

FERGUSON HARKIN

HOBAN

HARKIN

HOBAN 1

HOBAN

McMULLAN WHYTE

12

2025 STARTING XI TEAM GRID

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20

TONIGHT’S SQUADS DERRY CITY F.C.

SHAMROCK ROVERS

1 - BRIAN MAHER 2 - RONAN BOYCE 3 - SHANE FERGUSON 6 - MARK CONNOLLY 7 - MICHAEL DUFFY 8 - ADAM O’REILLY 10 - DIPO AKINYEMI 11 - GAVIN WHYTE 13 - ROBBIE BENSON 14 - BEN DOHERTY 15 - SADOU DIALLO 16 - HAYDEN CANN 17 - ADAM FRIZZELL 19 - BRANDON FLEMING 20 - CARL WINCHESTER 21 - DANNY MULLEN 22 - JAMIE STOTT 23 - CAMERON DUMMIGAN 24 - SAM TODD 25 - ALEX BANNON 26 - ARLO DOHERTY 27 - LIAM BOYCE 28 - AARON HEANEY 33 - RYAN LONG 37 - CEAD MCGRATH 41 - CALLUM DOWNEY 43 - COLE SMYTH 44 - CIARAN MULLAN

1 - EDWARD MCGINTY 2 - JOSH HONOHAN 3 - ADAM MATTHEWS 4 - PICO 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 20 - RORY GAFFNEY 21 - DANNY GRANT 22 - CIAN BARRETT 23 - CONNOR MALLEY 25 - LEE STEACY 27 - CORY O’SULLIVAN 29 - JACK BYRNE 31 - MICHAEL NOONAN 36 - VICTOR OZHIANVUNA 38 - MAX KOVALEVSKIS 41 - ALEX NOONAN 88 - JOHN MCGOVERN

Manager: TIERNAN LYNCH

Manager: STEPHEN BRADLEY

Tonight’s Match Sponsors:

CARROWREAGH LTD. DERRY

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More Powerful Together 22

23 ANSWERS: SHIRT NUMBER MATHS: Mark Connolly (6) + Michael Duffy (7) - Ronan Boyce (2) = Gavin Whyte (11) SPOT THE DIFFERENCE: 1) Gavin Whyte has appeared on the left; 2) More trees have appeared at the top right; 3) Line on the pitch has diappeared; 4) Ventelation system at the side of the stand has disappeared; 5) The Mark Farren Stand has FINALLY been extended on the left!

Can you spot the FIVE differences between the two photos?

SPOT THE DIFFERENCE

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

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SHIRT NUMBER MATHS CHALLENGE 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!!

CITY CUBS CORNER

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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

SUNDAY LEAGUE GALACTICOS! Sunday League football is usually associated with a low standard of football, with hung-over and over-weight players just playing for fun.

But one Sunday league team in England is destroying that culture.

Wythenshawe FC Veterans are the Over 35s division of the South Manchester club, and compete in the Cheshire Veterans League and have assembled a team with nearly 1,700 Premier League appearances among them!

Their last match-up against Collegiate Old Boys last Sunday grabbed a lot of attention online due to the team they fielded.

Imagine turning up to play a match hung-over and having to man mark ex-Premier League star Papiss Cisse!

Cisse, who scored 37 goals

By Andrew Cassidy

in 117 appearances for Newcastle United after joining for £9m from Bundesliga side Freiburg in January 2012, made his debut for Wythenshawe last Sunday against reigning champions Collegiate Old Boys and scored all six goals in a 6-2 win - including a 32-minute first-half hat-trick.

As if you wouldn’t be fed-up as the opposition centre half after that, he was taken off and former England and Liverpool striker Emile Heskey came on to replace him!

Wythenshawe’s squad for this season also includes former pros such as Hull and Burnley winger George Boyd, Everton striker Oumar Niasse, Wigan full-back Maynor Figueroa, Manchester City duo Stephen Ireland and Nedum Onuoha and Premier League title winners Joleon Lescott and Danny Drinkwater, among other

former stars.

Collectively, the former topflight players have won 15 major trophies and moved for combined transfer fees of about £123m.

Wythenshawe Vets Over-35s have won 30 games out of 32 this season.

Stephen Ireland began playing for the team during preseason this summer through close friend and current Wythenshawe player Blake Norton, and the former Republic of Ireland midfielder then invited other ex-pros, who all play in a midweek nine-a-side game, to join in!

Former Senegal forward Niasse, who scored 12 goals in 65 Premier League games for Everton and still attends their home games, also made his debut against Collegiate Old Boys, who are based in Liverpool and wear an Everton training kit as their strip!

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FANZONE: MEET THE FANS An avid Derry City supporter of over 40 years, tonight’s entrant into the Fanzone is Stephen McFadden. Stephen never misses a match and has introduced his children to the delights of supporting the mighty Candystripes.

Welcome to the Fanzone Stephen!

Name: Stephen McFadden How long have you been supporting Derry City?

40 plus years Where do you sit in the Brandywell?

Southend Stand Block I Best Player you’ve seen playing for the Candystripes?

Liam Coyle

result of this he got the move to England and represented Ireland.

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

The cup final in the Aviva stadium 2022, we played (for me), the perfect game, big pitch, played around the ground and took Shelbourne apart.

What goal sticks out in your mind?

There has been so many goals over the years, cup final goals, goals to get to finals, promotion goals, but at the minute my favourite current goal is Micky Duffy’s goal against Bohs in September 2022 Why? We won this game one nil, a corner came in ball made it way to the edge of the 18 yard box, and Duffy picked it up on the left hand side and cured it into the top corner from 20-25 yards, a screamer, and it all happened right in front of our seats, my 12 year old son was beside me and he was going crazy, this made it

more memorable for me.

Name your best Derry City team (you can pick from any era) One to Eleven with Three subs 1. Gerard Doherty 2. Eddie McCallion 5. Ryan McBride 4. Peter Hutton 3. Sean Hargan 6. Ciaran Martyn 7. Michael Duffy 8. Donal O’Brien 10. Mark Farren 9. Liam Coyle 11. James McClean Subs Ronan Curtis 2. Patrick McEleney 3. Paul Carlyle Best manager you’ve seen at Derry City?

Felix Healy. The last manager to win the league.

Favourite half time snack?

Battered sausages, chips and Curry sauce What one thing would you introduce that you feel would improve the match day experience?

Bring back the scoreboard!

Why? His talent, skill and eye for goal was unreal. He was just a joy to watch.

Best opposition player you’ve seen play?

Sean Maguire for Cork when they won the league in 2017 Why? He scored goals and was a threat against any team, his movement and finishing was unreal and as a

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TO TAKE PART IN FANZONE, CONTACT ANDREW@DERRYCITYFC.NET

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MESSAGE FROM THE EDITOR

It’s the end of another season with tonight’s last programme of 2025!

This season we’ve produced 19 CityView programmes, 5 less than last season due to the lack of European football and a short FAI Cup run.

We’re still proud to be continuing the tradition that Derry City have never gone without a programme for a competitive home game since 1985! 40 years so far!

There would certainly not be any programme at all without the help of the programme committee!

Thanks to all the article writers who never fail to sit up to all hours to get an article finished and sent in time for the deadline! From the regulars like Brain Dunleavy, Sean McGillan, Martin Holmes, Lawrence Moore, Sean Cassidy, Francie McCauley, Pól O’Hare and plenty more, to the one off article writers, you make the programme what it is.

Thanks to the Programme sellers, Vincent Doherty at the Brandywell Road gate, Sean Cassidy at the car park gate, Bobby and Paddy at the Lone Moor Road gate, and every programme seller who has stood in when we’re short.

Thanks to City Print for always getting the programmes printed and ready on time, and thanks to Brian Dunleavy who collects the programmes from the City Print every week and delivers them to the Brandywell.

Thanks to the players who allow me to torture them for

interviews on a weekly basis!

Due to my work schedule this past few seasons everything is being done over the phone now, which means me torturing players on their own time instead of me calling in to training and chatting to a player afterwards!

The A-Z interview has taken on a life of it’s own and has even produced the spin-off book last season, which, if you haven’t read it yet, is available online through derrycityfc.net and on Amazon.

Thanks to all the fans as well who have no problem taking part as the quiz challenger and having a laugh with it!

Thanks to the photographers for letting me use their photos, John Paul McGinley at JPJ, Kevin Morrison at Event Images, Kevin Moore at Maiden City Images and more.

Thanks to all the fans who took part in the Fanzone feature. It’s proven very popular and there are still more supporters who have completed the questionnaire and they will feature in next seasons programmes.

If you would like to take part in the fanzone please send your email address to andrew@derrycityfc.net and your details will be passed on and a questionnaire emailed to you. Equally, if you’d like to get involved with CityView in any capacity next season email the same address.

If you would like to avail of any of this season’s past issues of CityView, there are some still available. You can contact andrew@derrycityfc.net if there’s any you need.

CityView raises a lot of money every year and is a massive part of fundraising for the club, so lastly, thanks to all the sponsors who have sponsored a player or taken an ad in the programme, and the last thanks goes to you! From the programme collectors, to the people who buy one now and again, thank you all. You have no idea how far your £2 goes! We’ve taken just under £15,000 this season alone not including tonight’s sales!

Thanks for all your continued support!

- Andrew Cassidy

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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 13-0. 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

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By Pól O’Hare

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 side in the early 70s. Kilcoyne had previously welcomed Pelé and his 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. Both the IFA and FAI 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.

LIVE FOR IT

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

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SHAMROCK ROVERS XI AND BRAZIL continued...

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 starstudded Brazilian team in Dublin, but the political importance of witnessing the first all-Ireland football team in decades.

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.

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 next thirty years or so, however. 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. Northern Ireland qualified for the World Cups of Spain ‘82 and Mexico ‘86, reaching the Second Round in the former. Neither side have qualified for a World Cup since, as fifty-two years have passed since the all-Ireland team’s famous meeting with Brazil.

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This week... Derry City fan... ANDREW KELLY 1. Which Derry-born player made his last appearance for Rep of Ireland in 2017 while playing with Leeds United?

4.

2. Which Derry City player scored the club’s only goal against Shamrock Rovers in the current 2025 season?

3. Which player left Derry City at the start of this season and managed to somehow sign for Shamrock Rovers only to make 1 substitute appearance before being released?

4. Can you name the future Liverpool striker pictured on the right as a youth player?

5. Shamrock Rovers’ European opponents on Thursday, 7. Celje, were managed by Albert Riera but which Premiership club did he play 40 games for between 2008-10?

6. Shamrock Rovers’ Pico Lopes has qaulified for the World Cup with Cape Verde, but which nation qualified in second place in their group?

7. Stephen Bradley and which member of his backroom team competed in the Dublin Marathon this morning?

8. Which club won the 2025 Sports Direct Women’s FAI Cup Final defeating Bohemians 3-2 at Tallaght Stadium?

ANDREW’S ANSWERS: 1) Can’t think! Pass!; 2) Michael Duffy?; 3) Sean Robertson; 4) Robbie Fowler; 5) Chelsea; 6) No idea; 7) Glen Cronin; 8) Athlone Town

ANDREW’S SCORE: 4 out of 8! Can you beat it?

ANSWERS: 1) Eunan O’Kane; 2) Danny Mullan; 3) Sean Robertson; 4) Robbie Fowler; 5) Liverpool; 6) Cameroon; 7) Asstsant Manager Glenn Cronin; 8) Athlone Town

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BE THE CHALLENGER! CONTACT ANDREW@DERRYCITYFC.NET

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