Dundalk FC Magazine 2020 Issue 1 Derry City

OFFICIAL DUNDALK FC MAGAZINE | ISSUE 1 - €3

DUNDALK V DERRY CITY FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 14TH 2020

WE’RE IN GOOD HANDS AGAIN FOR ANOTHER GREAT SEASON!

A GREAT TEAM

CLUB DIRECTORY Honorary Club President Des Casey Chairman Bill Hulsizer Vice-Chairman Michael Hughes Board Michael Hughes, Bill Hulsizer, James Baboulas, Martin Connolly, David Samhat & Fred Spencer Chief Operating Officer Martin Connolly Club Secretary Colm Murphy Finance Officer Elaine Duffy Chief Business Officer David Minto Media Content Officer Gavin McLaughlin Projects Manager Aaron Lawless Office Manager Ailish Kelly Office Admin Karen Travers, Gary Cronin Club Ambassadors Padraig McGowan, Paul Brown, Andy Connolly Licensing Officer Simon Blackmore Player Liaison Officer Des Dunleavy Community Officer Liam Burns Press Officer Darren Crawley Social Media Anthony Bravender Child Protection Officer Aoife Burns Event Controller Regina O’Hare Bar Manager Kevin Carthy PA Announcer Michael Duffy DFCTV Chris Clarke

TEAM MANAGEMENT Team Manager Vinny Perth Assistant Coach Ruaidhri Higgins First Team Coach John Gill Goalkeeping Coach Steve Williams Strength/Conditioning Graham Norton Kit Manager Noel Walsh Doctor Dr. David Connolly Physiotherapists Danny Miller & David Murphy Sports Science David Maguire Videographer Harry Taaffe, Shane Taaffe

DUNDALK FC MAGAZINE DFC Magazine Editors: Colm Murphy, Paul Dunne, Gavin McLaughlin DFC Magazine Contributors: Jim Murphy RIP, Ruth Hardy, Darren Crawley, David Farrelly, Tom O’Connor, Sean DeLoughrey, Anthony Bravender Sales: Helen Myers, Jimmy Neary, Roy Mackin, Stephen Neary, Patrick O’Neill Thanks to: David Caldwell Photography: Sportsfile, Ciaran Culligan Programme of the Year 2008 (First Division) / 2010 / 2011 / 2012 / 2013 / 2014 / 2015 / 2016 / 2017 / 2019 Dedication: The 2020 DFC Magazine is dedicated to Jim Murphy.

Note: The views expressed in this magazine are those of the individual contributors and not necessarily shared by Dundalk FC. Especially The Spectator... ©2020 Dundalk FC

DUNDALK FC V DERRY CITY | 14.02.20

IN THIS

ISSUE

4

Opening Shot

40 Eleven Seasons Back

6

From The Dugout

44 Kieran Lucid Interview

8

Daragh’s Day

48 New Appointments

10 New Arrivals

50 2019 Player Sponsor Pics

17 Welcome To Derry City

54 2020 Player Sponsors

22 Retrospective

56 Statistics

26 Get With The Programme

59 The Numbers Game

27 A Quick Word With...

60 The Spectator

32 Dundalk’s Derry Boys!

62 Injury Time: Quiz

OPENING SHOT

4

25TH JULY 2014, FAI COMMUNICATIONS AWARDS, ATHLONE Dundalk Football Club lost a true legend on December 14th with the death of Jim Murphy. As anyone who has supported the Dundalk FC Magazine over the years would know, Jim was a major contributor to our efforts and a constant source of support. His incredible research into the history of the club will continue to be a source of valuable information for generations to come. We will always miss him at Oriel Park. We wish Jim’s family and friends our continued sympathy and support.

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6

FROM THE DUG OUT

VINNY PERTH I’d like to welcome Declan This is an opportunity for Devine and his Derry City football in this country to players and supporters get the proper support to Oriel Park for the first that it deserves and while game of the new season. the previous government Dundalk and Derry City have stepped in to help the FAI, a brilliant relationship. Both there is a chance now to clubs have a lot of shared put Irish football firmly at ideas and face many of the the top table in terms of same challenges and I wish funding. Football can fix so them well for the season much, from obesity to crime ahead - after this evening of to mental health issues and course! all the way through. It’s the I think it was disappointing most participated sport in the for everyone that country and that needs to last weekend’s be respected in terms of the President’s Cup funding the game receives. game was called off I think we made a good due to Storm Ciara. connection with the community The only good by bringing the trophies out thing to come out during the off season. It was of it was that I was our way of saying thanks for the able to sit on the support and we will definitely sofa and watch 12 hours need it again this season. of election coverage. I thought it was fascinating to see how the balance of Both myself and the power in many areas was players received a lot of swung by as little as a couple personal credit during the of hundred votes. off season and each and Even in our own area, every one of us would like some TDs lost out by to thank everybody for narrow margins. If they were that. Personally, one of the associated with our club and highlights of my career they were seen helping our was being named the club out would that have Soccer Writers Association made a difference to their Personality of the Year but, numbers? To me, the answer at the same time, I’m aware is definitely yes and I feel that that all of those awards relate some politicians have missed to 2019 and it’s time now to the boat. achieve our goals for 2020, As a football community, starting with tonight’s game. we need to ask politicians In terms of our squad, we what they are doing for Irish have brought in players sport and Irish football. We like Will Patching, Darragh need to challenge them on Leahy, Greg Sloggett and that, particularly the new Cammy Smith, players in TDs who have been elected their early to mid-twenties, to the Dáil for the first time. and the challenge for them

“

7

is to try and remove some established players from their positions and make the jersey their own. Ultimately, that competition is what drives our group on. What makes our established players better is young players coming in to challenge them and I think we have done that really strongly this year.

The success we achieved last year was built on three things. Firstly, the support I received from the club, second, the quality of our players and third, the support we had from our fans. I think we made a good connection with the community during the off season by bringing the trophies out. It was our way of saying thanks for the support and we will definitely need it again this season. Numerically, we might not have the biggest town or club in the country but we can certainly be the loudest and we want you all to show that again this season.

Finally, I would like to wish Mike Treacy, our former chairman, all the very best in the future. Bill Hulsizer, our new chairman, is a real positive influence at our club but it would be wrong of me not to mention Mike. He has been somebody I was able to lean on and this time 12 months ago he gave me the support to become the manager of this club and I will always be grateful to him.

Enjoy the game.

Vinny Perth

AUTISM AWARENESS

DARAGH’S DAY It’s safe to say that the passing of 11-year-old Daragh McNally had a profound impact on many people in the town of Dundalk and further afield last November.

Daragh was diagnosed with autism at the age of five, a difficult condition that’s becoming more prevalent by the day. The chances are you have a son, daughter, brother or sister with autism or at least know a family member, friend or someone who lives close by on the spectrum.

Just weeks after celebrating his 11th birthday on a family holiday to Spain, Daragh was diagnosed with cancer. In late November, he slipped away, leaving his parents Colleen and Paul, his older brother Nathan, his little sisters Naoise and Layla, his grandparents, his support dog Lenny and his good friend Sheila Murphy heartbroken.

It was one of those moments where life felt so cruel.

The response to such a tragic event was heartwarming for the McNally family. Local clubs, including Dundalk FC, turned their crest blue in memory of Daragh while St Nicholas Church and the Green Church were illuminated in blue lights to remember a little boy who was the ‘heart of his family’.

“Daragh loved cuddles and

one of the most important things for us is that he knew he was loved,” said Colleen.

“Kids with autism struggle with emotion but Daragh 100% knew what love was.

He was the most loveable, affectionate child and even though his speech was limited he was still able to tell each one of us that he loved us so much.”

Tonight’s game is the first at Oriel Park since Daragh passed away and Dundalk FC, with the support of the Daragh’s family, would like to mark the occasion by celebrating Daragh’s life and raising awareness about autism.

This is #DaraghsDay and we encourage you to take part.

On your way into the ground tonight, and again at halftime, you will see a bucket collection in aid of local

8

autistic services. Please, dig deep and empty your pockets.

The money raised from the collection will go to two of the places that helped Daragh immensely, the Maria Goretti Centre in Lordship, Daragh’s ‘funhouse’ and the autism unit at Realt na Mara Primary School where they have named one of their sensory rooms in Daragh’s memory.

During the warm-up, our players will wear blue t-shirts, proudly bearing an image of Daragh in his Dundalk kit while Paul, Colleen, Nathan, Naoise and Layla will release 60 blue balloons before kick-off to commemorate his life and one of his favourite activities.

Nathan, a regular at Oriel Park with his father Paul, will then raise the 2019 champions flag in front of the main stand.

“There are so many families dealing with autism now,” said Colleen.

“If you know somebody with a family or a child with autism, text them, ring them, contact them and offer them some help because the simplest things in the world mean so much.

“Like every parent with a child with autism, we had those looks of disapproval from people when Daragh had a meltdown or was anxious in a crowd,” said Colleen. “People don’t mean to judge, they just don’t know about autism so if we can do anything to educate people about it then that’s a good thing.”

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NEW ARRIVALS

CAMMY SMITH

It has been something of a whirlwind couple of weeks for Scottish attacker Cammy Smith.

The 24-year-old - who trained with the Dundalk squad at their pre-season training camp in Spain last month - arrived from Dundee United on Monday, February 3rd, putting pen-to-paper on a loan deal until June.

Less than two hours after getting off the ferry from Scotland, Smith boarded the team bus for the friendly against Crusaders in Belfast, playing 45 minutes in the 2-1 win over the Danske Bank Irish Premiership side.

Described by his former manager Craig Brown as the ‘Bergkamp of Aberdeen’, Smith offered the Dundalk supporters a little glimpse of what he can do by playing the pass for Patrick Hoban’s opener and he said is hoping to supply plenty more ammunition in the months ahead.

“I work hard but I play in the forward areas and I’m hoping to chip in with goals and create chances,” he said.

“I like to play more centrally but I can play narrow off the sides and I think I can add something at the top end of the pitch.”

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Smith featured in Dundalk’s friendly with CFR Cluj in Spain and he said that the week in Alicante would be hugely beneficial in helping him to settle into his new surroundings in Dundalk.

“Yeah, it was a great help,” he said. “I had a proper look at the lads and they had a proper look at me. You’re living with each other and you see what everybody else is up to and it was good to get into training and to meet the staff.”

After making his debut for Aberdeen at the age of 16 in 2012, Smith went on to make 76 league appearances for the Dons, picking up a League Cup winners medal against Inverness Caledonian Thistle in 2014.

Loan spells at Dundee United and St Mirren followed before he joined the Paisley club on a permanent basis ahead of the 2017-2018 season. Ten goals in 34 league appearances followed as St Mirren won the Championship, earning Smith the club’s Player of the Year award.

Smith returned to Dundee United last January but fell out of favour at Tannadice and Lilywhites manager Vinny Perth is hoping that the move to Oriel Park will help him reignite his career.

“Cammy has a huge reputation in Scotland,” said Perth. “His career has stalled over the past couple of months for various reasons but he is ready to kick on now and we feel this is an opportunity for him to reignite his career.”

NEW ARRIVALS

DARRAGH LEAHY

One of the interesting subplots of Dundalk’s season will be the battle for the left-back position between Dane Massey and new arrival Darragh Leahy.

Five-time league winner Massey has been immense in pre-season but he faces real competition from the Irish U21 international who arrived from Bohemians over the winter.

Leahy has been one of the SSE Airtricity League’s brightest young stars since he returned from Coventry

City at the start of the 2018 season but he knows he will have to be at his very best if he wants to dislodge Massey from the left-back berth.

“Dane has been here for the past seven years and he has won a countless amount of trophies so I’m not going to just walk straight into the team,” he said.

“There will be plenty of competition for places but I’m here to fight for it.

Dundalk have obviously been successful over the past few years and I’ve come here to

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win trophies.”

The Dubliner has been an integral part of Stephen Kenny’s swashbuckling U21 Irish side and he believes that Dundalk’s style of play will suit him down to the ground.

“We play with a similar style to the Irish U21s and it’s football that I really enjoy playing,” he said. “It was a no brainer coming here,” he added. “No disrespect to Bohs, but the training and players here are of a higher quality so it’s only going to improve me.”

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NEW ARRIVALS

GREG SLOGGETT

Almost three months on from joining Dundalk, midfielder Greg Sloggett is chomping at the bit to get the new 2020 SSE Airtricity League season underway.

The 23-year-old signed for the league champions less than a week after the FAI Cup final last November and after working hard in pre-season, he is determined to hit the ground running, starting with the visit of his old employers, Derry City, this evening.

“It was one of the longest off-seasons I’ve ever had,” he said. “I had a lot of time off the pitch but I think I needed it to be honest and

I’m feeling fit and strong and can’t wait for the season to start properly now.”

Settling in hasn’t been a problem for Sloggett. A native of Gormanston, just 50km away from Dundalk, the presence of former UCD teammate Georgie Kelly has helped while integrate into his new surroundings while he is also good friends with Robbie Benson and Jamie McGrath who both departed in the winter.

“The lads here have all been brilliant to me,” he said. “From the players, to the staff to the people working around the place, I feel like I’ve settled in well. I’m not too far from here myself and I know most of the lads from playing against them.

“Georgie is obviously here and Benson was here last year and I feel right at home.

Hopefully, as the season progresses, I can play a big part in things.”

Sloggett’s arrival sent the online forums into overdrive with many supporters questioning whether he was a ‘six’ or an ‘eight’. The fact that he has been given McGrath’s old number 10 will do little to settle the argument!

“I’m a good friend of Jamie’s,” he smiled.

“We kept in touch when he was here and I’m obviously sad to see him go but when that jersey came up, it’s a good number to take so, hopefully, I can live up to the legacy he left.”

After kicking off the 2019 league season against UCD, Sloggett will also start this year’s campaign against one of his old clubs when Derry City arrive at Oriel Park tonight.

“It’s a huge game and you always want to win your first game, no matter who it is,” he said.

“Last year it was for Derry against UCD and this year it’s against Derry for Dundalk!

“Hopefully, I will be well received by the Derry fans, even if that’s just wishful thinking,” he laughed.

“Derry have made strong signings and without a doubt will be competing up around the top of the table again.”

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NEW ARRIVALS

WILL PATCHING

Will Patching said that the prospect of playing European football in the summertime was a huge factor in his decision to sign for Dundalk.

The 21-year-old Mancunian arrived in November after leaving Notts County where he made 10 appearances in the 2018-2019 season. Prior to that, he spent 14 years with Manchester City’s Academy, representing England at the 2015 U17 World Cup. Patching tasted European action with City in the UEFA Youth League as a teenager and he said he was looking forward to what the summer brings with Dundalk.

Speaking about his decision to join the Lilywhites,

Patching said: “I was in a bit of an awkward situation. I agreed to leave Notts County and I trained with a few clubs in Spain and England but once my agent told me about the interest from Dundalk, it wasn’t a hard decision and I wanted to get it done as quickly as possible.

“I came over and met Vinny and he showed me around the place. The facilities in the YDC like the changing rooms and the gym are brilliant and the medical staff we have is top class but Europe was the cherry on the cake,” he said.

“I would love to play and compete against top class teams. I had a small taste of it when I played against Cluj a few weeks ago and I

15

played a few games with City in the Youth League. There’s a different feel to European games and I’m really looking forward to it.”

Patching’s immediate priority is getting himself back to full fitness. After scoring on his debut against UCD last month, he sustained a shoulder injury in Dundalk’s friendly against Cluj in Spain but he is hoping to play some part in tonight’s opener.

“The injury came at a bad time,” he said, “because I was just getting into the swing of things. It’s improving a lot, though. I thought that my shoulder came out and I dislocated it but I went for a scan and it’s just the AC joint.

I’ve been back in contact training since Monday and hopefully I’ll be involved against Derry.”

Patching will live in the town itself, sharing digs with Georgie Kelly, Greg Sloggett and fellow ‘northerner’ Jordan Flores and as a newcomer to the country, never mind the league, he said the presence of Player Liaison Offices Des Dunleavy was invaluable.

“It has been hectic but the lads have all made me feel welcome,” he said. “Des has been top. He has sorted me out with everything, my banking, my house, and I don’t know where I’d be without him! I got to got home or a few days when I did my shoulder but I’m just looking forward now to getting back to fitness.”

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Your Back!

@tpireland

WELCOME TO

DERRY CITY Derry City’s improvement in the 2019 SSE Airtricity League has sent a warning to other club’s that Declan Divine’s team are a force to be reckoned with in 2020. A lowly 8th place finish in 2018 resulted in the return to the club of manager Declan Divine. There was a huge improvement as the Candystripes qualified for the UEFA Europa League.

The close season has seen several arrivals and departures. The most prominent departure is Junior Ogedi-Uzokwe who, due to a last day flourish, pipped our own Pat Hoban as the league’s top scorer last season with 14 goals.

Junior was on loan from Colchester United last season but has since signed a permanent deal at Israeli Premier League side Hapoel Hedera.

David Parkhouse, who scored 19 goals in all competitions, has also departed. The Northern Ireland U21 international returned to his parent club Sheffield United before signing a loan deal with Stevenage for the rest of the season.

Also departed is last season’s captain Barry McNamee who agreed a deal to join Finn Harps.

Another high-profile departure is, of course, Greg Sloggett, who has joined us here at Oriel Park.

Despite these departures, Derry fans will be hopeful that they are stronger than last season.

Conor McCormack has returned to the club for a second stint with the 29-year-old being named club captain. Other arrivals include Belgian born defender Danny Lupano who has signed on a six-month loan deal from Hull City. Ivorian Winger Moussa Bakayoko has also arrived after playing in Armenia while an interesting capture was was former Dundalk player Conor Clifford who has arrived from St Patrick’s Athletic.

One of the most intriguing signings of the close season was Derry’s capture of Norwegian striker Tim Nilsen. Arriving from Fredrikstad FK, Nilsen scored 28 goals in 49 appearances in the past two seasons. He is certainly one to watch out for tonight and as the season progresses.

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WELCOME TO

DERRY CITY MEET THE MANAGER

DECLAN DEVINE

Declan Devine’s appointment last year transformed Derry City’s fortunes. Having finished 8th in 2018, last seaason ended with Europa League qualification.

Devine’s managerial style and passionate touchline presence has struck a chord with the City supporters.

The 46-year-old Derryman was a goalkeeper in his playing days.

He started his career at Ipswich before he returned to the Irish League and played for Omagh Town, Glentoran, Derry City and Institute. He was part of the Derry

Conor McCormack returns for his second spell at the club and has taken over the captaincy from Barry McNamee.

18 16

City squad what won the 1996/97 title, but he only made a small number of appearances. He also played in the 1997 FAI Cup Final: a 2-0 defeat to Shelbourne.

His coaching career began in 2003 as a coach. He went with Stephen Kenny to Dunfermline in 2006 and returned in 2007. He was appointed manager in 2012 and won the FAI Cup. Sacked in 2014 despite leading them into Europe and spent some time working with the Irish FA before returning to the Brandywell in 2019.

Conor Clifford is one of several new signings hoping to make an impact at the Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium this season.

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PLAYER PROFILES 2020

DERRY CITY

1 PETER CHERRIE

2 COLM HORGAN

........................................

4 CIARON HARKIN

5 RYAN MCBRIDE R.I.P.

Bio: 24, Derry, Centre-Midfield. ........................................

Began in the Derry City youths, Harkin joined Institute in 2015 before returning in December 2018.

Made 34 appearances in the league last year scoring five goals. ........................................

7 JAMIE MCDONAGH

Bio: 28, Letterkenny, Left-Back. ........................................

A full-back who played 270 times for Finn Harps before signing a two-year contract at the start of 2019. Was voted Player of the Year by the Derry supporters. ........................................

Bio: 20, Armagh, Centre-Back. ........................................

Has captained the Northern Ireland Under 21 team. Made 35 appearances for Derry in last season’s league campaign.

........................................

........................................

Bio: 29, Argentina.

Central Midfield. ........................................

Started in Real Madrid, Bruna joined Liverpool in 2008.

Played for Blackpool, Heusca, Accrington Stanley and Ottawa Fury before joining Derry in 2019. ........................................

13 NATHAN GARTSIDE

Bio: 24, Battersea.

Forward. ........................................

Showed potential in this 11 appearances last season for Waterford FC. Previously played in the lower levels of the Greek, Portuguese and English football. ........................................

Bio: 21, Derry.

Goalkeeper. ........................................

Made his league debut as a sub as a second half substitute last season against Dundalk. Made 3 appearances in total and a further 3 in the EA Sports Cup. ........................................

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6 EOIN TOAL

15th December 1989 – 19th March 2017. ........................................

The number 5 jersey was retired in Ryan’s honour following his sudden death.

His legacy lives on in the work of the Ryan McBride Foundation.

8 GERARDO BRUNA

Bio: 23, Lisburn.

Winger. ........................................

Former Sheffield United trainee who joined Derry City in 2017 after spells with Greenock Morton and Sligo Rovers. Scored four times in 27 matches in 2019. ........................................

10 WALTER FIGUEIRA

3 CIARAN COLL

Bio: 25, Galway.

Defender. ........................................

Joined Derry last month after two seasons at Cork City.

Operates mostly at right-back. Previously played for Galway United and Salthill Devon. ........................................

Bio: 36, Bellshill, Scotland. Goalkeeper. ........................................

Legendary title winner with us back in 2014. Has since played for Cliftonville, Bray, Cork City and begins his second season at Derry City.

9 TIM NILSEN Bio: 27, Bergen, Norway. Striker. ........................................

New signing from Fredrikstad. Has scored 110 goals in 225 appearances for several Norwegian Clubs and Khimki in the Russian Second Division. ........................................

15 RONAN BOYCE Bio: 17, Donegal. .

Defender. ........................................

Boyce made his U19 Ireland debut in the 1-0 defeat to Sligo last October. He made his League of Ireland debut in the 4-0 win over Cork City. ........................................

PLAYER PROFILES 2020

DERRY CITY

16 CONOR CLIFFORD Bio: 28, Dublin.

Central Midfield. ........................................

Joined Derry after making 34 appearances for St Pats in 2018. Made 17 appearances for Dundalk in 2017 before moving to Limerick. ........................................

19 STEVEN MALLON Bio: 21, Belfast.

Left wing/defender. ........................................

Joined Derry on loan from Sheffield United.

Made 8 appearances for Central Coast Mariners in the A-League last year.

A Republic of Ireland U21 international. ........................................

22 CONOR MCCORMACK Bio: 29, Carlingford.

Centre-Midfield. ........................................

Won the 2017 Double with Cork City, 2012 League title at Shamrock Rovers as well as the FAI Cup at St Pats in 2014. Joined Derry in December and was named club captain. ........................................

29 JACK MALONE Bio: 19, Derry.

Midfield. ........................................

Signed his first professional contract last July. Made his debut against Finn Harps last May and scored his first goal in the 3-0 win over Sligo Rovers last July. ........................................

17 MOUSSA PAUL BAKAYOKO Bio: 23, Ivory Coast.

Left Winger. ........................................

Made 82 appearances for FC Shirak Gyumri in the Armenian League after also playing for Raja Club Athletic Casablanca in Morocco. ........................................

20 DARREN COLE Bio: 28, Edinburgh.

Centre-Back. ........................................

Began his career at Glasgow Rangers making his debut in the Champions League match with Bursaspor in 2010.

Joined Derry in 2017 from Boxburn FC. ........................................

23 ALLY GILCHRIST Bio: 24, Edinburgh.

Central Defender. ........................................

Has previously played for St Johnstone, Elgin City, Peterhead before joining Shamrock Rovers in 2018. Made 30 appearances for Derry last season.. ........................................

30 JACK LEMOIGNAN

18 MARK FARREN R.I.P. 1st May 1982- 3rd February 2016. ........................................

The number 18 jersey was retired in Mark’s honour following his sad death from cancer in 2016.

Scored 114 goals for Derry City in 209 matches. ........................................

21 DANNY LUPANO Bio: 19, Belgium.

Centre-Back. ........................................

Lupano joined Derry last week on a six month loan deal from Hull City. Has also played at academy level at Leicester City and Birmingham City. ........................................

24 MARK MCCHRYSTAL Bio: 35, Derry.

Central-Defender. ........................................

In his third spell at Derry City after a long career playing for Partick Thistle, Tranmere Rovers, Scunthorpe United, Bristol Rovers and Crusaders. ........................................

11 ADAM LITTLE

........................................

A recent addition to the Derry squad.

Bio: 20, Striker ........................................

Signed on Tuesday from Reading on a loan deal.

........................................

........................................

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FROM THE ARCHIVES:

RETROSPECTIVE Tonight’s match is Dundalk FC’s 3928th match in senior football since 1926.

Today’s President’s Cup is an FAI affair, but the original for many years.

Our overall record is Won

Lost

Drawn

For

Against

1797

1263

867

6904

5465

This is our 2450th league match Played

Won

Lost

Drawn

For

Against

2449

1113

759

577

4164

3244

Dundalk v Derry City All Match Record Played

Won

Lost

Drawn

For

Against

90

41

25

24

124

104

First Encounter April 26th 1944 Dundalk 1-0 Derry City Inter-City Cup Dalymount Park The first ever match between the sides took place in an end of

season cross border cup competition. The two legged tie took corners won into account to decide on matters if all ended as a draw – hence the GAA style scorelineDerry wasted three clear early opportunities to take the lead. Hughie Kelly hit the crossbar twice for

Dundalk before, in the last minute, a Paddy Barlow corner was headed back across the six-yard box by Johnny Leathem for Sam Cullen to head to the net.

The second leg took place in Grosvenor Park in Belfast five days later and Derry won 2-0 after a Leathem own-goal and a second half effort from Feeney.

Derry’s First Oriel Park League Match Monaghan United 0 Derry City 2 First Division 9th November 1986 The next time Derry City played at Oriel Park in a competitive fixture was in their second season in the League of Ireland.

Monaghan United, managed by our own Tommy McConville, requested the

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use of Oriel Park as their own Belgium Park was unsuitable for such an influx of fans. 5,000 Derry fans made the trip to Oriel Park for this game to see their side win by 2-0. Paul McLaughlin gave Derry a first half lead before a controversial goal by Yugoslav striker Alex Kristic made the points safe.

Monaghan: Ward, Forde, Donnelly, Flanagan, Quinn, G Turley, N Turley, Madden, Gilliand, Houlihan, Conlon.

Sub: Finnegan for Gilliand, Reynolds for Conlon.

Derry City: Roberts, O’Neill, Gauld, Keay, McLaughlin, Mahon, Harrison, King, McKechnie, Krstic, Da Gama. Subs: McGuinness for Gauld.

From the Archives: 30 Years Ago Dundalk played Derry City on two occasions in quick succession thirty years ago this month. The first match was an entertaining 0-0 draw in the Brandywell on January 31st. This match marked the first use of the new Brandywell Stadium floodlights. On the 11th February, the day that Nelson Mandela was released from prison, Dundalk hosted Jim McLaughlin’s reigning league champions in front of 2,500 spectators. Both sides were under pressure for points as Brian Kerr’s St Pats were top of the table. Unfortunately for Dundalk, this match ended Turlough O’Connor’s hopes of bringing the title back

Tony Cousins and Mick Neville 1990

to Oriel Park. Derry took the lead in the 28th minute when Paul Curran scored via the underside of the crossbar. Derry extended their lead after 68 minutes when Felix Healy’s cross was dummied by Alex Krstic and John Coady picked his spot to give Alan O’Neill no chance. Dundalk responded immediately and Martin Lawlor headed powerfully into the roof of the net past Tim Dalton from Gino Lawless’ corner kick. However, Dundalk’s hopes of a point ended in the closing minutes when Paul Doolin combined with Paul Hegarty to score. The teams that afternoon were: Dundalk: O’Neill, Lawless, Lawlor, Coll, Malone, McNulty, Cleary, Shelley, Cousins, Eviston, Newe.

Derry: Dalton, Vaudequin, Brady, Neville, Curran, Carlyle, Coady, Healy, Speake, Coyle, Doolin. Subs: Kristic for Coyle, Hegarty for Brady.

From the Archives: 25 Years Ago The two sides also played two matches in quick

23

succession in March 1995.

With both sides challenging for the Double, the FAI Cup ¼ Final match on March 9th ended in disappointment for Dundalk when, on a horrendous night, Dundalk keeper Jody Byrne’s clearance was blocked by Peter Hutton and the ball fell kindly for Liam Coyle to score with an amazing finish from 30 yards into the empty net. Dundalk’s season threatened to come off the rails a week later at the RDS against Shamrock Rovers when a terrible defensive performance led to a further defeat. Perhaps it was Martin Lawlor’s scathing comments in the media about that performance that inspired Dundalk to produce one of their best performance of the season when Derry returned to Oriel on Thursday 23rd March.

Dundalk had chance after chance saved by Dermot O’Neill in the first half.

Eddie Van Boxtel, recalled to the side, made several saves of his own when Felix Healy’s side upped their game. Dundalk got the breakthrough in the 63rd minute when John Coady’s long throw was knocked on

by Mick Doohan and Peter Withnell lashed the ball into

From the Archives: 21 Years Ago

Eddie Van Boxtel

the net from 15 yards. Given that Dundalk were to pip Derry to the title with the narrowest of margins one month later, Van Boxtel’s save from Harry McCourt, diving at his feet to make a magnificent last second block, was season defining.

Soon afterwards, Dundalk sealed the points when Doohan converted Brian Byrne’s corner from six yards when his shot into the ground looped over the defenders on the line into the roof of the net.

This week in 1999, Dundalk were showing some signs of fight against relegation that would ultimately prove unsuccessful. This month 20 years ago, Dundalk travelled to the Brandywell for some respite from League troubles with an FAI Cup 2nd round match.

A large travelled support witnessed a brave yet unsuccessful battle against the Candystripes. The match was settled by four minutes of mayhem. After 24 minutes, Eddie McCallion split the Dundalk defence to set Michael McHugh free on the left. His cross was of no danger to Dundalk but Padraig Gollogley’s attempted clearance ended up being drilled past Steve Williams for an horrendous own-goal. Minutes later, indecision in the Dundalk defence led to McHugh setting up Liam Coyle to finish calming past Williams to make it 2-0.

The teams that day were: Derry: Platt, Darren Kelly, Michael Kelly, Hutton, Curran, Hargan, Doherty, Hegarty, Coyle, McCallion, McHugh. Subs: McCaul for Coyle, Gallagher for McCallion.

Dundalk: Williams, Reddish, Crawley, Melvin, Gollogley, McNulty, Dunne, Campbell, Martin, Ward, Sharkey. Subs: Harte for Dunne, Byrne for Martin. Colin Casey unused sub.

Season Openers: The Best of Starts: 1996/97 30th August 1996

On the day Eric Cantona was sentence to two weeks in prison for his famous kung-fu kick, the teams that day were: Dundalk: Van Boxtel, Purdy, Coady, Doohan, Coll, Whelan, McNulty, Hanrahan, Withnell, Kelly, Byrne. Subs: Britton for Withnell Derry: O’Neill, Vaudequin, McLoughlin, Curran, Gauld, Carlyle, Doolin, McKeever, Hutton, Coyle, McCourt. Subs: Kinnaird for McKeever.

Jonathan Speake

Mick Doohan

24

The highlight of the 1996/97 season was the opening match on the 31st August.

With ex-Aberdeen and Glasgow Celtic star John Hewitt appointed as playermanager, optimism was high that Dundalk could challenge to regain their title. Several new recruits arrived into Oriel Park and pre-season had progressed well. The opening match of the season pitted Dundalk up against St Patrick’s

Athletic, who had won the league at Oriel Park on the last day of the 95/96 season. Dundalk overcame the odds on the opening day of the new season to win 1-0. New goalkeeper Les Fridge produced a stunning debut with several saves, the most incredible of which was a stunning tip over from Ricky O’Flaherty’s close-range header. The Napier-Doohan partnership in centre of defence, supported by young full backs David Crawley and Sean Murphy, held firm to keep the clean sheet. The winner was a fluke: Packie Lynch’s attempted back-pass to Gareth Byrne seemed harmless but the keeper took his eye of the ball and it slipped under his foot and into the net. That was the end of the good luck for the most part, as Hewitt was gone by February and Dundalk needed to survive a relegation play-off.

The Dundalk team that day was: Fridge, Murphy, Crawley, Doohan, Napier, Nesbitt, McNulty, Hewitt,

Les Fridge

comeback, but O’Brien was to get his second of the night when he headed home Brennan’s free kick.

A night that was set up to help erase memories of that FAI Cup Semi-Final had ended in disaster. Not to worry, within two months Dundalk beat Drogheda 7-0.

Liam Coyle

Hanrahan, Byrne, Campbell.

Subs: Browne for Byrne, Patterson for Hanrahan.

Season Openers: The Worst of Starts: 2014 7th March 2014 In 1990, Shelbourne came to Oriel Park on the opening day of the season and romped to a 5-1 win.

Dundalk recovered to win the title. A similar feat was achieved in 2014 when Dundalk recovered from the bizarre spectacle of a heavy defeat on opening night to Drogheda United to win our first title in 19 years. With Daryl Horgan and Sean Gannon making league debuts, Dundalk fell behind to an Eric Foley free kick just before the break.

Early in the second half Gavin Brennan made it 2-0 after Alan McNally hit the crossbar. It soon became 3-0 when Fabio O’Brien swept a loose ball into the net after Daire Doyle’s shot was blocked. Pat Hoban pulled one back on the hour mark to threaten a

25

This was also that night that Simon Kelly was sent off – along with his ex-Dundalk team-mate Philly Hughes – for a half-time tunnel skirmish. This would lead to one of our more bizarre stats – as Simon ended up having more red cards than actual appearances in the 2014 season.

The Dundalk team that night was Cherrie, Gannon, Massey, Boyle, Shields, Higgins, O’Donnell, Towell, Hoban, Byrne, Horgan.

Subs: McMillan for Byrne, Meenan for Higgins, Mountney for Gannon.

Peter Withnell

FROM THE ARCHIVES:

GET WITH THE PROGRAMME Dundalk v Bohemians 1995-96 The relevance: Dundalk’s 1995-96 got off to an inauspicious start with Oriel Park unavailable when the relaying of the pitch overran.

The facts: £1 bought 20 photocopied pages of programme.

The content: There are modestly optimistic season previews among a decent mix of comment, stats, historic content and away team coverage. Ground season tickets, interestingly, are advertised at £40 guaranteeing over 20 games.

A word from our sponsors: Ads include Bord Gais, Harp and The Star and local supporters Cool-rite Refrigeration, Roma, Lisdoo, Ma Brady’s and Paddy Lynch ‘Sand and Gravel Merchant’.

Famous names: Dundalk line up with the likes of Tom McNulty, David Crawley, Joe Harahan, Brian Byrne Richie Purdy and Peter Withnell.

New signings Cesar Lopez, Joe Gallen and Paul Futcher are in the squad, but record signing Stephen Napier was unavailable. Bohs include Derek Swan, Tony Cousins and Donal Broughan.

The match: Bohs won 2-0 and went on to finish runners-up to St Pats.

Dundalk finished the season comfortably in midtable but it was the start of a long difficult period for the Lilywhites.

Derry City v Cork City FORAS Co-op, 2010 The relevance: Tonight’s match is a season opener so we’re looking back a significant season opening match for Derry and Cork.

The facts: 40 pages for £2.

The content: The context around Derry’s demotion is understandably skirted around but there’s plenty of reading even though ample space is given over to sponsors.

A word from our sponsors: Ads range from the Mirror and Ladbrokes to broadcast rivals BBC Radio Foyle and Highland Radio, and local businesses like Breslin’s newsagents, Dunlop Ventilation Services and AllPipe Engineering- ‘On the ball with Derry City FC’.

26

Famous names: Derry included a young James McClean, Ruarai Harkin, Ger Doherty, Eddie McCallion and the late Mark Farren.

Mark McNulty, Greg O’Halloran and Graham Cummins were in Tommy Dunne’s hastily cobbled together 13-man Cork squad.

The match: Demoted for financial reasons, Derry hosted recently re-formed Cork City in the First Division opener. Emmet Friars equalised for Derry, after Davin O’Neill had given Cork the lead. The Candystripes went on to win promotion, Cork finished midtable.

A QUICK WORD WITH...

JORDAN FLORES

1: What club have you sup-

9. Your favourite sport outside of football?

Golf

ported since childhood?

Wigan Athletic 2. What’s your favourite dish?

Paella

10. What is the best ground you have played in?

Wembley

3. Who is the best player you have played with?

Ben Watson

11. Who is the best dressed in the squad?

Andy Boyle

4. Who is the dirtiest player you have played against?

A guy playing central midfield for Wycombe…Marcus Bean (pictured right)…he man marked me all game!

I am giving that one to Dane Massey!

5. Who is your best friend at the club?

Sean Murray

7. Your all-time sporting hero?

Lionel Messi

6. Which teammate spends the longest in the shower?

That’s a tough one…but

8. Your favourite holiday destination?

La Panera in Spain

12. Who is the worst dressed in the squad?

Daniel Kelly!

27

13. Who has the best music taste in the dressing room?

Me, of course!

14. Who has the worst music taste in the dressing room?

I can’t say......

PLAYED FOR BOTH:

NICLAS VEMMELUND Niclas Vemmelund had spells with FC Fyn, Odense BK, BK Marienlyst in Denmark, Stjanrnan in Iceland and Swedish side IF Brommapojkarna before he joined Derry City on a free transfer in 2016

After taking some time to settle into this new team, Vemmelund settled into the Derry City defence playing in the centre or as a full-back, He established himself as a key player in Kenny Shiels’ side, helping the Candystripes finish third in the 2016 season. He made his debut in the 2-1 opening day defeat to Finn Harps in Ballybofey. Derry recovered from that defeat to enjoy a very good season.

Vemmelund made 32 league appearances in total.

Vemmelund was targeted by Stephen Kenny to not only challenge Paddy Barrett for the role as Brian Gartland’s partner in the centre of defence, but also to provide cover for Sean Gannon and Dane Massey.

He made his league debut in the 2-1 win over Shamrock Rovers on 24th February 2017 and went on to make 23 league appearances.

He scored his first goal for Dundalk in the 2-1 defeat at Tallaght Stadium in May before scoring again seven days later in the 4-0 win over Sligo Rovers. He also scored in the 1-1 draw with Cork City in the FAI Cup Final, a match that proved to be his final game for the club and ended in a penalty shootout defeat. The highlight of this career at Dundalk was his excellent performances in the 2017 UEFA Champions League encounters with Rosenborg. His commanding display against Nicklas Bendtner led to him being linked with moves to top level Scandinavian clubs.

With Andy Boyle departing to Preston North End,

Despite the club’s attempt

28

to persuade him to stay, Vemmelund wished to return to Denmark and play part-time football with Middelfart Ballklub in the third tier of Danish football.

He also returned to college to study construction and architecture. His partner recently gave birth to their first child.

OUR GAME IS ON THE BALL

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32

T

here are plenty of similarities between Dundalk FC and Derry City. Located in proud, provincial towns where football is at the very hub of the local community, some famous players and legendary managers, including Jim McLaughlin and Stephen Kenny, have represented both clubs with distinction over the years. Ahead of tonight’s curtain-raiser, Gavin McLaughlin sat down with Dundalk FC’s current ‘Derry Boys’, Patrick McEleney, Michael Duffy and Ruaidhri Higgins, to chat about their memories of life at the Brandywell.

GMCL: Ruaidhri, did you go and watch Derry City play as a kid?

RH: More-so when they used to play games on a Sunday. If the GAA team was playing in Celtic Park then you could make a day of it. I was never a season ticket holder or anything like that but I’d always try and get to at least one home game a month.

GMCL: Fats (Patrick), I read that you were a ball boy?

PMCE: Aye, I was a ball boy a few times and I had a season ticket for five years. I was a proper fan, I used to go to a good lot of the away games, the likes of Shels and Bohs in Dublin.

GMCL: What about you Mickey?

MD: No, not really, to be honest. I went to a couple of games when I was younger and I did ball boy once through one of my junior clubs but I wouldn’t really have gone to many matches.

GMCL: You’re the only one here who has come through Derry’s youth system, though. When did you join?

MD: I was at U15 level but I played for Derry’s U19 team in the Foyle Cup and I just stayed with them, right up to the reserve team in the Ulster Senior League. I went from there into the first-team.

GMCL: Fats, you went from Foyle Harps to Sunderland and then moved to Derry City when you came back. Were you ever involved with Derry when you were younger?

PMCE: There was a sort of an academy that Declan Devine was trying to start up. We played teams like Linfield at the Brandywell. I

think Derry were trying to go with that sort of set-up but it just seemed to fade away.

GMCL: Ruaidhri, you played with Newtown Youths in Limavady before you moved to Coventry City in 2000...

RH: Aye, we won everything with Newtown in the Derry and District League. Our age group was very good. There were a lot of household names who would have played in my age group and the standard and rivalry were very good.

We won the ‘treble treble’. Kevin Deery won’t be too happy with me saying that but it’s the truth!

GMCL: If it was now, all three of you would be snapped up by Derry’s U13 or U15 League of Ireland team.

PMCE: I think it’s the best way. When we were younger you played with your local club and things were a bit crap. Now, the younger lads are getting better games at that age and it will stand to them in the future.

RH: The thing I like about the academies now is that you’re exposing the young lads to travelling so when they go into the first-team it’s not foreign to them getting off a bus after a three-hour journey to play a match. That’s important. I think it hardens them. There are good people involved in the underage teams throughout the league and I think it will only benefit clubs. I would like to think that players aren’t in a rush now to go to England and you have to give the FAI some credit for taking the bull by the horns and setting it up.

GMCL: What age were you when Stephen Kenny took you back from Coventry to sign for Derry?

RH: It was just before my 20th birthday.

Myself, David Forde and Killian Brennan were

33

Ruaidhri Higgins, pictured with Stephen Kenny and Killian Brennan during a press conference ahead of Derry City’s UEFA Cup tie with Paris Saint-Germain in 2006

Stephen Kenny’s first three signings. We all signed on the same day. Stephen took over halfway through the 2004 season and Derry were fighting to stay up but he told me the first time he met me that we would be challenging to win the league the following year. I nearly choked and laughed at him but in 2005 we went into the final day of the season two points clear at the top and we lost down in Cork.

Some of the memories I have from those years are unbelievable.

GMCL: You would have seen Ruaidhri play regularly enough then Fats?

RH: Aye, he was sitting booing me!

PMCE: Aye, I used to sit with my grandad, just trying to take things in. I’d be concentrating on what was happening. That was a good side, to be fair, and then when Paddy McCourt arrived he brought a lot of people to the Brandywell.

He was amazing.

GMCL: He’s from Shantallow, which is where you’re from?

PMCE: Yeah, he’s from around the corner.

34

GMCL: Who’s the best player from Shantallow?

PMCE: I’ll have to concede on this one.

GMCL: Would Paddy be the best player that all three of you have seen?

RH: He’s the most naturally gifted player I’ve ever played with. Felix Healy was just before my time so, from what I’ve seen, Liam Coyle and Paddy McCourt are the two most gifted players to have played in the League of Ireland in my time and they both just happen to come from Derry; two real street footballers. I’ve had the pleasure to play with Paddy. He’s the only player I’ve ever given the ball to on the halfway line and 10 seconds later you know it could end up in the back of the net. Off the ball, he wasn’t the best player in the world but on it, he was a genius!

GMCL: Mickey, was he a player you tried to style yourself on? You obviously didn’t want to be a Ruaidhri Higgins type-player!

MD: I don’t really remember him with Derry.

Patrick McEleney celebrates with Michael Duffy after scoring in Derry City’s Europa League tie with Aberystwyth Town in 2014

It was more with Celtic when you’d see him scoring these absolute wonder goals. He was some player.

GMCL: Ruaidhri, when Derry were relegated to the first division in 2010, you moved to Bohemians. I remember thinking that was a strange one when it was announced.

RH: I’ll be honest, we hadn’t been paid in four months at Derry. I had a mortgage and my personal circumstances dictated that I had to go. I had just bought a new house and I had to go. Bohs is a brilliant club but I didn’t have a great time there. I was always told you needed to be quick to pull a hamstring but I did one in pre-season. We took the league to the final day of the season but if I could turn back time I might have stayed with Derry. I was grateful to Stephen Kenny when Derry got promoted that he gave me the chance to come back.

GMCL: Fats, you broke into the Derry side that same season. How did you find the first division?

PMCE: It was good. I remember my first game

away to Waterford and I didn’t play well. I thought after that that Stephen wouldn’t put me in again but he kept playing me week after week and I scored a lot of goals and created a lot of goals which put me up for the Player of the Year award. It toughened me up. Stephen gave me a three-year deal at the time and I think he was always looking at the long-term and he trusted me to come good. No matter how I played, he threw me in.

GMCL: You rejoined Derry when they got promoted, Ruaidhri. What did you make of the young McEleney?

RH: Genuinely, we were in for the first training session and we were doing attack versus defence. Stephen Kenny rolled a ball to him on his left foot, on the halfway line, and he smashed it over Ger Doherty - who is the last person you want to do that too! I just remember thinking to myself, fucking hell!

That’s when I knew the hype I was hearing about him was real.

GMCL: You broke into the team for the 2013

35

season Mickey so all three of you played together for a while.

MD: Aye, Declan Devine gave me my debut towards the back end of the previous year.

I remember scoring my first goal against Shelbourne away.

I was playing centre-forward and the next year I got 16 goals.

RH: Believe it or not, we played four-four-two a few times that year and it was me and Fats in the middle of the midfield when Barry Molloy and Kevin Deery were injured.

PMCE: Loads of legs!

RH: Apart from a bad night in Bray, we had a good record when we played together in midfield. It was only four or five games but it was still good.

PMCE: I don’t remember it that well!

Shamrock Rovers he dropped both of us!

MD: Me and Shane, Fats’ brother, were nowhere near the team in pre-season and he put us in for that game. It was mad.

GMCL: I think Dundalk and Derry are really similar in that you have to fit in with the character of the people.

It seemed like Roddy Collins just didn’t ‘get’ Derry.

PMCE: He used to say the wrong things all of the time.

RH: Like Dundalk, there’s a lot of local media attention. The football club is the hub of the

“

GMCL: That was your last season at the club, Ruaidhri. You moved to Dundalk when Roddy Collins took over.

PMCE: That was a fun time!

RH: I genuinely thought that I had a very good season in 2013 and when Roddy Collins came in he got rid of me. It was taken out of my hands and I was devastated but Stephen Kenny came back and took me to Dundalk and we ended up winning the league.

GMCL: What was it like going from Stephen Kenny to Roddy Collins?

PMCE: It was strange. Really weird. I remember in 2014, he played me and Rory Patterson up front during the whole pre-season and then in the first league game against

Paddy McCourt, Marty McCann and Kevin Deery all involved there, the players will know about that and they’ll represent the city and show a lot of fight. If you look at a lot of our games with them last year, they kept coming back at us. They showed a real fighting spirit and they have got that ethos back.

PMCE: I think it’s important for the League of Ireland that Derry City are doing well. You just have to look back at the EA Sports Cup final last year and see what they bring. I can’t see them going away.

They’ve made some good signings and they’ll be pushing again this year.

Genuinely, we were in for the first training session when I came back to Derry from Bohs and we were doing attack versus defence. Stephen Kenny rolled a ball to him (Patrick) on his left foot, on the halfway line, and he smashed it over Ger Doherty - who is the last person you want to do that too! I just remember thinking to myself, fucking hell! That’s when I knew the hype I was hearing about him was real.

GMCL: Finally, let’s talk about Derry Girls. Is it a good representation of life in the city back in the mid-nineties.

You’re the only one old enough to know Ruaidhri.

RH: I don’t know, sure I lived in Limavady! I’ve made a life for myself in Derry, I’ve married a girl from Derry and I’ve RUAIDHRI HIGGINS’ FIRST IMPRESSIONS made a lot of friends OF A YOUNG PATRICK MECELENEY in Derry but I’ll never forget that I’m a proud city and that was probably Limavady man! hard for him to come to terms PMCE: The Vad! It used to be with. a hotspot for us when we were younger.

GMCL: Some of the games between Dundalk and Derry GMCL: Really? Limavady? last year were fantastic.

PMCE: Yeah, there was one PMCE: They’re a good side. nightclub. We used to get the There’s no getting away from bus up to it. it. They felt they were able to RH: I actually saw a young compete with us and they’ll be Michael Duffy there one night. up there again this year.

He ran to the toilets when I RH: For a couple of years, tapped him on the shoulder.

I think that Derry got away MD: It’s true. I went to from what it means to play Limavady trying to stay away for the club. It’s a very historic from everyone and there he place and with Declan Devine, was. Typical!

36

Patrick McEleney congratulates Michael Duffy after his goal against Finn Harps at Oriel Park in 2019

Ruaidhri Higgins applauds the Dundalk supporters after the win over Waterford in 2019

37

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2009-2019

PREMIER DIVISION REVIEW Part ONE of an extensive compilation of information covering the last 11 years.

When Dundalk defeated St Patrick’s Athletic 4-0 on the final night of the 2019 SSE Airtricity League season, it completed Dundalk’s 11th season back in the Premier Division since our promotion under John Gill in 2008.

Our total record in our 11 seasons back in the Premier Division is: Played

Won

Lost

Drawn

For

Against

378

209

96

72

678

386

First Game Back Our first game back in the Premier Division, after six very long seasons in the First Division, was a live televised match against Bohemian FC on Friday 6th March 2009. Sean Connor’s new look Dundalk side lost 1-0 to a Joey Ndo goal.

The team that night was: Chris Bennion, Simon Kelly, Dave Rogers, Liam Burns, Thomas Heary, Michael Daly, Chris Turner, Shaun Kelly, Declan O’Brien, George O’Callaghan, Harpal Singh.

Sub: Tiarnan Mulvenna.

Biggest Win/Loss Dundalk’s 8-0 win over Limerick on the 27th February 2018 is our biggest win in this period.

Our biggest defeat was the 7-0 defeat to Shamrock Rovers on the 27th September 2012.

Most Appearances From Krisztian Adorjan to William Woods, 153 players have represented Dundalk throughout these 11 seasons.

Appearances

Starts

The players with the Top 10 appearances are:

The players who made the most starting appearances are:

1

Chris Shields

218

1

Dane Massey

199

2

Dane Massey

204

2

Chris Shields

186

3

John Mountney

188

3

Peter Cherrie

178

4

Peter Cherrie

179

4

Sean Gannon

168

5

Sean Gannon

175

5

Brian Gartland

165

6

Brian Gartland

169

6

Gary Rogers

158

7

Gary Rogers

158

7

Andy Boyle

137

8

Andy Boyle

137

8

Patrick Hoban

118

9

Patrick Hoban

130

9

John Mountney

113

10

David McMillan

118

10

M Duffy / D Horgan/ R Towell

96

40

Let’s Not Forget….

The following players made a single starting appearance in league matches: Steven Kinsella, Barry Conlon, Jordan Keegan, Sean Maguire, Joe McKee, Ciaran O’Connor, Michael O’Connor, Garreth Brady, Ryan Coulter, Keith Dalton, Ger Hanley, Aaron McCarey.

The following made a single appearance as a substitute: Dwight Barnett, Dylan Hand, Mark Hanratty, Christopher Kerr, Mark Leavy, Philip McCabe, Gerard McSorley, Jack O’Keeffe, Michael Osobe, Billy Smith.

Goals The Top 10 league goalscorers since 2009 are:

The top three penalty scorers are:

1

Patrick Hoban

76

1

Patrick Hoban

13

2

David McMillan

51

2

Richie Towell

10

3

Richie Towell

44

3

Chris Turner

7

4

Michael Duffy

33

5

Brian Gartland

29

6

Daryl Horgan

22

7

Robbie Benson

21

8

John Mountney

20

9

Dane Massey

18

10

Ciaran Kilduff

17

Goal Types Dundalk have scored 678 goals since 2009. This chart shows their percentage breakdown.

41

Most Goals Scored Inside the Area

Most Goals Scored Outside the Area

Most Goals Scored from Headers (All from within the area)

1

Patrick Hoban

33

1

Richie Towell

11

1

Patrick Hoban

25

2

David McMillan

31

2

Michael Duffy

10

2

Brian Gartland

23

3

Richie Towell

22

=

Daryl Horgan

10

3

David McMillan

12

4

Michael Duffy

20

4

Patrick McEleney

6

4

Dane Massey

9

5

Robbie Benson

17

John Mountney

6

5

John Mountney

6

Mark Quigley

6

=

Ciaran Kilduff

6

=

Andy Boyle

6

Goals Scored from Direct Free-Kicks Dundalk have scored 16 direct free kicks since 2009. Dane Massey, John Mountney, Michael Duffy, Mark Griffin, Patrick McEleney all scored two each. Others wers scored by Mark Quigley, Richie Towell, Ross Gaynor, Keith Ward and Ronan Murray.

Goal Scored from Free-Kick Set Pieces Who else? Brian Gartland has scored 10 goals from Free-Kick set pieces, six goals ahead of Niclas Vemmelund.

Goals Scored from Corner Kick Routines Again, Garts finishes clear at the top with 18 goals. He is followed by Patrick Hoban (8), Dane Massey (6), Andy Boyle and Richie Towell (5).

Clean Sheets Dundalk have kept 155 clean sheets in our 378 games. These are divided among four goalkeepers: Gary Rogers (89 Clean Sheets), Peter Cherrie (58), Gabriel Sava (8), Chris Bennion (4).

Other goalkeepers who have played for the club are Ger Hanley (1 Appearance), Paul Murphy (5), Matt Gregg (3), Ryan Coulter (1), Aaron McCarey (1).

Red/Yellow Cards Dundalk FC have finished either at the top or near the top of the Fair Play leagues for most of our seasons since 2009. Our worst season was, unsurprisingly, the 2009 season under Sean Connor when we received 86 yellow cards and 17 red cards. One game, against Sligo Rovers in October of that year, resulted in three red cards to Dundalk players. To put those 17 red cards into context, Dundalk FC have received 17 red cards IN TOTAL since 2013.

Our yellow card totals have also considerably reduced since 2009. That season we received 86 yellows. It fell as low as 39 during the 2016 season.

42

The top ten yellow card recipients are:

1

Chris Shields

39

2

Stephen O’Donnell

31

3

Dane Massey

23

4

Brian Gartland

22

5

Patrick Hoban

17

6

Darren Meenan

16

7

Ross Gaynor

15

=

Sean Gannon

15

9

Daniel Cleary

14

10

Richie Towell

13

=

Tiarnan Mulvenna

13

=

Stephen Maher

13

For/Against The overall distribution of red and yellow cards since 2009 is: Red Cards

Yellow Cards

Dundalk

48

619

Opposition

71

745

Assists We are being very strict here. Different organisations define assists in different ways. For this exercise, an assist is a deliberate final pass to set up a goal. So not a rebounded shot or deflected pass‌. just that crucial final executed pass/cross/through-ball to set up a goal

Catch Part TWO of this compilation in the Cork City Programme - Monday 24th Feb.

43

The top ten assist makers since 2009 are:

1

Michael Duffy

50

2

Darren Meenan

36

3

Dane Massey

25

4

John Mountney

24

5

Daryl Horgan

23

6

Sean Gannon

19

=

Ronan Finn

19

8

Patrick McEleney

18

9

Patrick Hoban

17

=

Ross Gaynor

17

ALL-ISLAND LEAGUE

W

KIERAN LUCID

hile former Minister for Tourism, Sport and Transport Shane Ross and new FAI interim CEO Gary Owens and his deputy Niall Quinn were standing on the steps of Government buildings on January 31st unveiling a new financial rescue package for the association, clubs from north and south were 50 miles away at the Crowne Plaza in Dundalk for the latest presentation by Kieran Lucid’s All-Island League Advocacy Group.

Lucid’s ambitious proposals looked dead in the water when the IFA released a statement in October of last year saying that the association was against any merger with their southern counterparts and that it would not sanction its clubs to take part in any new allisland competition.

Undeterred, however, Lucid and his team continued to explore the idea and after a meeting with the IFA, the group announced that three stakeholder meetings, facilitated by Dutch consultants Hypercube, would take place in Belfast, Dublin and Dundalk at the end of last month.

With the IFA sceptical about a unification of the leagues, alternative formats and proposals (see page 43) were presented at the Crowne Plaza with Lucid setting a deadline of the end of March for clubs to decide whether they’re in or out.

Gavin McLaughlin caught up

with the Kerry entrepreneur after the meeting.

GMCL: Kieran, can I ask you what were you thinking back in October when you read the IFA statement.

KL: It was unexpected and I was disappointed but when we met with the clubs, from north and south, in Dundalk before that, they said they still wanted to be involved and we went with that. That’s what has caused us to remain with it. Hypercube have also been brilliant in that they’ve almost agreed with the IFA in that this wouldn’t be their recommendation and they’ve broadened it out to include other options. I think the IFA appreciate that Hypercube have made a strong case for change based on data. We meet the IFA again on the week of February 13th and we will keep them up to date with the process. They’re engaging with us, at least, which is a positive move but I can’t predict what will one out of it.

GMCL: You did meet with the IFA. Were they surprised by the amount of data and detail you have gone into?

KL: I’m not sure but we had a constructive meeting with them. Look, they want the best for their clubs, as we do, and I think they’re eager to see the results of the study.

GMCL: You presented a lot of different formats and scenarios today and one of the comments that really struck me was that you didn’t

44

want to be associated with a ‘Mickey Mouse’ cross-border competition.

KL: Absolutely, I think that is a big fear. It needs to have a sporting prize at the end of it in the way of some UEFA qualification or something that gives the games some meaning, rather than just being a ceremonial tournament. We don’t want that. It’s a scale of one to 10.

We want to go for 10, whereas we obviously wouldn’t go for one but we have no idea where things will land on that scale. We have to take account of not only the Irish FA’s views but the likes of the Linfield, Crusaders and Glentoran fans.

They might be in a similar position to the Irish FA where they don’t want to go for the 10.

GMCL: What did you think of the Unite the Union Cup? In one sense, it showed the level that the Irish League clubs need to get to, and that might not be a bad thing, but lots of people used it as an example of why an all-island league competition just wouldn’t work.

KL: I think the Unite the Union Cup made the case for a sporting prize at the end of it, rather than it being a standalone tournament. I was slightly surprised because Linfield performed really well against Qarabag in the summer but the fact it was in the middle of the Irish League season meant their ‘bread and butter’ competitions would always take precedence.

PLENTY TO PONDER? Kieran Lucid, pictured during the All Island League Advocacy Group Meeting Stakeholders Summit in Dublin in January

45

ALL-ISLAND LEAGUE

KIERAN LUCID

Pieter Nieuwenhuis, Director and Founder of Hypercube, speaking during the All Island League Advocacy Group Meeting at the Avivia Stadium in Dublin in January

There’s no doubt I would have hoped for a closer outcome but it hasn’t deterred us at all.

GMCL: You mentioned that you’ve met with the FAI. A lot has changed at the association since you first floated this idea and Niall Quinn obviously had his own ideas on the League of Ireland that he published last summer. What was the feedback you received from the new regime?

KL: It was a fantastic meeting, very positive, in fact. We showed them the data from the League of Ireland clubs and the case for change was very compelling. They’ve expressed an absolute desire to stay involved in the process. Hypercube will be coming over for four more visits between now and the end of March and we’ll be meeting the FAI again in the next couple of weeks.

GMCL: You’ve set a deadline for the end of March. Is that realistic?

KL: That’s when we’ll have the results of the studies. It will then be up to the clubs what they want to do, if they want to go via the football authorities and UEFA to seek permission to bring change about.

GMCL: Will you be glad to see the end of it,

46

one way or another?

KL: It has been tough going. When we were in Northern Ireland, Hypercube was going to use unfortunate the analogy that I’m a layman in the church of football and only the cardinals and the pope can decide! I was like, ‘do not say that!’ It does ring true a little bit, though. I am a layman in the football world and there is only so much an independent group like ours can do. We are here because we believe in the project. There’s nothing in it for us. We have no dog in the race, professionally. At some stage it will be down to the clubs and associations to say ‘yes there is something here’ and then we’ll exit stage left.

GMCL: To me, it feels like it’s now or never for this concept. Would you share that view?

I do. I think the FAI’s difficulties have presented an opportunity and the fact that the Irish League clubs have dropped their coefficient and are going to lose a place focusses the mind. The fact they’ll only have three European spots now is going to hit the clubs in the north hard. If either league were to make some improvements it might give them more reason not to do something but now is a very good time. We don’t want to miss this window of opportunity.

47

CLUB NEWS

NEW APPOINTMENTS

Projects Manager Aaron Lawless and Chief Business Officer David Minto. Inset: Media Content Officer Gavin McLaughlin with Vinny Perth

As part of our preparations for the SSE Airtricity League season, Dundalk Football Club has appointed three new full-time employees since the turn of the new year, David Minto, Aaron Lawless and Gavin McLaughlin.

In his new role as Chief Business Officer, David will manage the club’s commercial operations while Aaron, who has assumed the Project Manager position, has a wide remit, covering operational, community and commercial areas.

David is well known at Oriel Park. Having carried out a number of voluntary roles at the club over the past number of years, he was also the Business Development Manager at the club’s former kit manufacturer, CX+Sport. He also spent more than a decade with Horseware Ireland and Riverside Manufacturing.

After leaving DkIT with a degree in Marketing, Aaron – a former Student Union President –

48

spent time as a Marketing Research Executive at Intact Software and has been the Marketing Promotions Coordinator for Ridley’s Nightclub for the past three years.

Their appointments come almost a month after Gavin McLaughlin was installed as the club’s new Media Content Officer.

Gavin is a highly respected local sports journalist who has covered Dundalk FC for many years. Having studied Communications and Creative Multimedia at DkIT, he was the Sports Editor of the Dundalk Democrat for five years before establishing the Dundalk Sport website. He has, of course, written five outstanding books covering the success of Dundalk FC between 2013-2019.

The appointment of all three is a further example of the club’s desire to strengthen its off-the-field activities over the months and years ahead.

Champions of Ireland, we know what we are.

grandson.ie

Dundalk FC Advert 2020_ Grandson Design Studio.indd 1

11/02/2020 14:35

49

COMMUNITY

2019 PLAYER SPONSORS

Patrick McEleney, pictured with his home kit sponsors, Brian and Neil McQuillan

Gary Rogers, pictured with his away kit sponsor James Scully

Michael Duffy, pictured with his home kit sponsors, the McCabe Family

David Humphries, Dean Jarvis’ home kit sponsor, pictured with Dundalk manager Vinny Perth

Daniel Kelly, pictured with his home kit sponsor Nicky McCourt

50

COMMUNITY

2019 PLAYER SPONSORS

Dane Massey, pictured with two of his home kit sponsors, Olivia McNamara and Anita Bolton

Vinny Perth, pictured with Brendan Kelly

Brian Gartland, pictured with his home kit sponsor Gerry Arrowsmith and Paul Mullen

Georgie Kelly, pictured with his away kit sponsor Paul Brown

Daniel Cleary, pictured with his home kit sponsor Derek Pepper

51

COMMUNITY

2019 PLAYER SPONSORS

Chris Shields, pictured with his away kit sponsor Derek Pepper

Daniel Kelly, pictured with his away kit sponsor Brendan Kelly

James Rogers, Jamie McGrath’s home kit sponsor, pictured with Dundalk manager Vinny Perth

Dane Massey, pictured with his neighbour James Scully

Brian Gartland, pictured with his home kit sponsor Gerry Arrowsmith

52

COMMUNITY

2019 PLAYER SPONSORS

Nicky McCourt, pictured with Dundalk manager Vinny Perth

Patrick McEleney, pictured with his away kit sponsor Derek Pepper

Dane Massey, pictured with his away kit sponsor Padraig McGowan

53

2020 SEASON

TEAM SPONSORS Born: 25 Sept 81 Ex-clubs: Drogheda Utd, Dublin City, Bray Wanderers, Galway, St Patrick’s Athletic, Sligo Rovers

Home Sponsor Haughey’s Pharmacy

Away Sponsor Available

Born: 11 Jul 91 Ex-clubs: St Kevin’s Boys, Shamrock Rovers, St Patrick’s Athletic

Home Sponsor Paddy Fitzpatrick

Born: 15 Mar 94 Ex-clubs: Castleknock Celtic, Home Farm, Shelbourne, St Patrick’s Athletic

Away Sponsor Home Sponsor Bellurgan Precision Bellurgan Precision Engineering Engineering

Away Sponsor Derek Pepper

Home Sponsor Sing Li

Away Sponsor Available

Born: 04 Oct 95 Ex-clubs: Wigan Athletic, Blackpool, Chesterfield, AFC Fylde, Ostersund

Home Sponsor Padraig McGowan

Born: 22 Feb 93 Ex-clubs: Kiltimagh / Knock Utd, Ballina Town, Mervue Utd

Home Sponsor Eamonn Laverty

Born: 03 Jul 96 Ex-clubs: UCD, Derry City

Away Sponsor Aislinn & Erin Farrelly

54

Away Sponsor James Rogers

Born: 28 Jul 91 Ex-clubs: Mervue U (twice), Bristol City, Clevedon T (loan), Dundalk, Oxford U, Stevenage (loan), Grimsby T (loan), Mansfield T Home Sponsor Lumper’s Bar

Away Sponsor Gerry & Verona Lennon

12 GEORGIE KELLY

Born: 26 Sep 92 Ex-clubs: Sunderland, Derry City, Dundalk, Oldham Athletic

Home Sponsor Brian & Neil McQuillan

Away Sponsor Kaylon & Sean Cunningham

9 PATRICK HOBAN

11 PATRICK MCELENEY

10 GREG SLOGGETT

Home Sponsor Dean Arrowsmith

Born: 27 Dec 90 Ex-clubs: St Francis, Bray Wanderers

Born: 28 Jul 94 Ex-clubs: Derry City, Celtic, Alloa Athletic (Loan), Dundee (loan)

Away Sponsor Sing Li

Born: 04 Nov 86 Ex-clubs: Bray Wanderers, Shelbourne, Monaghan Utd, Portadown

6 JORDAN FLORES

8 JOHN MOUNTNEY

7 MICHAEL DUFFY

Home Sponsor David & Daniel Humphries

Away Sponsor Tommy Kelly Fan Club

5 CHRIS SHIELDS

4 SEAN HOARE

Home Sponsor The McCabe Family

3 BRIAN GARTLAND

2 SEAN GANNON

1 GARY ROGERS

Away Sponsor Derek Pepper

Born: 12 Nov 96 Ex-clubs: Derry City, UCD

Home Sponsor Away Sponsor Lucy Toal & Gavin Paul & Niall Brown Kelly

IF YOU WISH TO SPONSOR AN AVAILABLE PLAYER, PLEASE CONTACT ORIEL PARK. EMAIL office@dundalkfc.com CALL 042 93 35894

16 SEAN MURRAY

15 DARRAGH LEAHY

14 DANE MASSEY

Born: 15 Apr 98 Ex-clubs: Coventry City, Nuneaton Borough (loan), Bohemians

Born: 17 Apr 88 Ex-clubs: Bray Wanderers

Home Sponsor Cillian/Anita/ Mary/Olivia

Away Sponsor James Scully

Away Sponsor Jade Taaffe

Home Sponsor James Leahy

Born: 18 Oct 98 Ex-clubs: Man City, Notts County

Home Sponsor Oliver Dullaghan

Away Sponsor Coffee Time

Born: 14 Jan 92 Ex-clubs: Monaghan Utd, Wolverhampton Wanders, Telford, York City, Portsmouth, Bury, Ross County, Warrenpoint Town Home Sponsor Available

Away Sponsor Available

Born: 21 May 96 Ex-clubs: Bohemian FC, Bray Wanderers, St Pats CY, Crumlin United

Home Sponsor Nicky McCourt

Away Sponsor Brendan & Saoirse Kelly

Away Sponsor The Hughes Family

Home Sponsor Derek Pepper

Away Sponsor Available

Born: 7 Mar 91 Ex-clubs: Crumlin Utd, UCD, Shelbourne, Preston North End, Doncaster Rovers, Dundee, Ross County

Home Sponsor Highbury Concrete

Away Sponsor Available

VINNY

RUAIDHRI

JOHN

PERTH

HIGGINS

GILL

Assistant Head Coach

First Team Coach

Manager

Home Sponsor Gerry McNamee

Born: 9 Mar 96 Ex-clubs: Liverpool, Birmingham City, Solihull Motors (loan)

Born: 24 Aug 95 Ex-clubs: Aberdeen, Dundee United, St Mirren

Home Sponsor Available

Away Sponsor Niall MacClancy

44 ANDY BOYLE

23 CAMMY SMITH

27 DANIEL KELLY

Home Sponsor Shane Taaffe

21 DANIEL CLEARY

20 AARON MCCAREY

18 WILL PATCHING

Born: 11 Oct 93 Ex-clubs: Watford, Wigan Athletic, Swindon Town, Colchester United, Vejle BK

Away Sponsor Dermot Hanratty

Home Sponsor Available

Away Sponsor Available

55

Home Sponsor Available

Away Sponsor Available

t t u© n© n©

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/0 /0 /0 /0 /0 /0 /0 /0 /0

H/A Date u u H Fri 17 Jan t N* Wed 22 Jan u n u Fri 24 Jan N* u Thu 30 Jan H n A Mon 03 Feb n H Tue 04 Feb H Sun 09 Feb H Fri 14 Feb Fri 21 Feb A Mon 24 Feb H A Fri 28 Feb A Fri 06 Mar Mon 09 Mar H Fri 13 Mar Fri 20 Mar A Fri 27 Mar H Sat 04 Apr A A Fri 10 Apr Mon 13 Apr H Fri 17 Apr Mon 20 Apr A Fri 24 Apr H Mon 27 Apr H Fri 01 May A Mon 04 May Fri 08 May H Fri 15 May A Fri 22 May H Mon 25 May A Fri 29 May H A Fri 5 Jun Fri 12 Jun H Mon 16 Jun Tue 17 Jun Fri 26 Jun A A Mon 29 Jun H Fri 03 Jul Wed 08 Jul Wed 15 Jul Fri 17 Jul H Mon 20 Jul Wed 22 Jul A Sat 25 Jul Wed 29 Jul Fri 31 Jul A Mon 03 Aug Wed 05 Aug Fri 07 Aug Tue 11 Aug H Fri 14 Aug Fri 14 Aug A Fri 28 Aug Fri 28 Aug Fri 11 Sep H Sat 12 Sep H Fri 18 Sep Fri 25 Sep A Fri 02 Oct Fri 09 Oct H Fri 16 Oct A H Fri 23 Oct N Sun 01 Nov xApps/Goals0/0 H 0/0 �

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0/0 0/0 0/0 0/0 0/0 0/0 0/0 0/0

�

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56

�

�

� �

u t n

�

0/0 0/0 0/0 0/0 0/0 0/0 0/0 0/0 0/0 0/0 0/0 0/0 0/0 0/0 0/0 0/0 0/0 0/0 0/0 0/0 0/0 0/0 0/0 0/0 0/0 0/0 0/0 0/0 0/0 0/0 0/0 0/0 0/0 0/0 0/0 0/0

�

uu1 t1 tt u uu t u t1 n2 n

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u1u u1 t t un u n t1 n u n

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14 Dane MASSEY

12 George KELLY

14 Dane MASSEY

t n t u

0/0 0/0 0/0 0/0 0/0 0/0 0/0 0/0 0/0 0/0 0/0 0/0 0/0 0/0 0/0 0/0 0/0 0/0 0/0 0/0 0/0 0/0 0/0 0/0 0/0 0/0 0/0 0/0 0/0 0/0 0/0 0/0 0/0 0/0 0/0 0/0

11 Patrick McELENEY

Patrick HOBAN 9

�

10 Greg SLOGGETT

John MOUNTNEY 8

�

0/0 0/0 0/0 0/0 0/0 0/0 0/0 0/0 0/0 0/0 0/0 0/0 0/0 0/0 0/0 0/0 0/0 0/0 0/0 0/0 0/0 0/0 0/0 0/0 0/0 0/0 0/0 0/0 0/0 0/0 0/0 0/0 0/0 0/0 0/0 0/0

12 George KELLY

Jordan FLORES

Michael DUFFY

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7

Chris SHIELDS 5

tt t un t ut u© nu n© n© nn

6

Seán HOARE 4

11 Patrick McELENEY

Brian GARTLAND 3

10 Greg SLOGGETT Seán GANNON

Gary ROGERS 1

Comp. Opponents K-O Res. u u 7:45 7-1 Frie u UNIVERSITYt2 COLLEGE DUBLIN W t1 u t 5:00 1-2u u Frie t CFR Cluj L n u t u t Frie CSKA Moskva 4:00 0-2 L u Frie t1 DROGHEDA UNITED 7:45 2-0u W Frie n Crusaders 7:30 2-1 W n2 u t Frie LONGFORD TOWN 7:45 0-1 L PRC SHAMROCK ROVERS PP LGE DERRY CITY 7:45 LGE Shelbourne 7:45 LGE CORK CITY 7:45 LGE Shamrock Rovers 8:00 LGE Finn Harps 8:00 EASC tbd [R1] tbd LGE SAINT PATRICK’S ATHLETIC 7:45 LGE Bohemians 7:45 LGE WATERFORD 7:45 LGE Sligo Rovers 7:45 LGE Derry City 7:45 EASC tbd [R2] tbd LGE SHELBOURNE 7:45 LGE Cork City 7:45 LGE SHAMROCK ROVERS 7:45 7:45 LGE FINN HARPS LGE Saint Patrick’s Athletic 7:45 EASC tbd [QF] tbd LGE BOHEMIANS 7:45 LGE Waterford 7:45 LGE SLIGO ROVERS 7:45 7:45 LGE Bohemians LGE DERRY CITY 7:45 LGE Shelbourne 7:45 LGE CORK CITY 7:45 UCL [QR1 DRAW] tbd UCL [QR2 DRAW] tbd 8:00 LGE Shamrock Rovers LGE Finn Harps 8:00 LGE SAINT PATRICK’S ATHLETIC 7:45 UCL tbd [QR1] tbd UCL tbd [QR1] tbd LGE WATERFORD 7:45 UCL [QR3 DRAW] tbd UCL tbd [QR2] tbd LGE Sligo Rovers 7:45 UCL tbd [QR2] tbd LGE Derry City 7:45 EASC tbd [SF] tbd tbd UCL tbd [QR3] FAIC tbd [R1] tbd UCL tbd [QR3] tbd LGE SHELBOURNE 7:45 FAIC tbd [R2] tbd LGE Cork City 7:45 FAIC tbd [QF] tbd LGE SHAMROCK ROVERS 7:45 EASC tbd [F] tbd LGE FINN HARPS 7:45 FAIC tbd [SF] tbd LGE Saint Patrick’s Athletic 7:45 LGE BOHEMIANS 7:45 LGE Waterford 7:45 LGE SLIGO ROVERS 7:45 FAIC tbd [F] tbd xLGE: SSE Airtricity x x x 0/0 League 0/0 0/0 0/0 0/0 0/0 FAIC: Extra.ie0/0 FAI Cup 0/0 0/00/0 0/0 UCL: UEFA Champions 0/0League 0/0 0/00/0 UEL: UEFA Europa League 0/0 0/0 0/0 0/00/0 EASC: EA Sports (League) Cup0/0 0/0 0/0 0/00/0 LSC: Leinster0/0 Senior Cup 0/0 0/0 0/00/0 PRC: President’s Cup 0/0 0/0 0/0 0/00/0 UUCC: Unite0/0 the Union Champions Cup 0/0 0/0 0/00/0 TOTAL APPS/GOALS (excl. friendlies) 0/0 0/0 0/0 0/00/0

2

9 Patrick HOBAN

8 John MOUNTNEY

7 Michael DUFFY

6 Jordan FLORES

5 Chris SHIELDS

TEAMSTATISTICS

2020 SEASON MATCH DATA

4 Seán HOARE

3 Brian GARTLAND

2020_02DerryCity64_56_57.qxp_DFC: 16:05 Page 1Matchday Magazine 12/02/2020 16:05 Page 1

u t n n n

0/0 0/0 0/0 0/0 0/0 0/0 0/0 0/0 0/0 0/0 0/0 0/0 0/0 0/0 0/0 0/0 0/0 0/0 0/0 0/0 0/0 0/0 0/0 0/0 0/0 0/0 0/0 0/0 0/0 0/0 0/0 0/0 0/0 0/0 0/0 0/0

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44 Andy BOYLE

29

27 Daniel KELLY t n t t u

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28 Lido LOTEFA

26

25

24

23 Cameron SMITH

22

u u u u

u n1 t t n

33 Taner DOGAN

u1 tu

t u u

21 Daniel CLEARY

20 Aaron McCAREY

19

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18 Will PATCHING

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33 Gabriel SAVA

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17 Cameron DUMMIGAN

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16 Seán MURRAY

15 Darragh LEAHY

2020_02DerryCity64_56_57.qxp_DFC: Matchday Magazine 12/02/2020 16:05 Page 2

t t

t t t t n

t n

Standings Team Bohemians

Pld W 0 0

D 0

L 0

F 0

A 0

+/- Pts 0 0

Cork City Derry City

0 0

0 0

0 0

0 0

0 0

0 0

0 0

0 0

DUNDALK Finn Harps St Patrick’s Athletic Shamrock Rovers Shelbourne

0 0 0 0 0

0 0 0 0 0

0 0 0 0 0

0 0 0 0 0

0 0 0 0 0

0 0 0 0 0

0 0 0 0 0

0 0 0 0 0

Sligo Rovers

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

Waterford 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Note: Data correct until Wednesday 05 February 2020 (11pm)

Fixtures Date Fri 14 Feb

Match Cork City v Shelbourne Dundalk v Derry City Finn Harps v Sligo Rovers (8:00) St Patrick’s Athletic v Waterford Sat 15 Feb Bohemians v Shamrock Rovers (2:00) Note: Kick-offs are 7:45 unless otherwise stated

t

Statistics Goals scored Total goals 0 (average: 0) Home goals 0 (average: 0) Away goals 0 (average: 0) Results Home wins 0 (0%) Draws 0 (0%) Away wins 0 (0%) Over/Under 2.5 goals Over 0 (0%) Under 0 (0%) Note: Players: Squad numbers not used in pre-season matches Starting: n / Not used: l / Player in: t / Player out: u / Captain: © Order of substitutions: 1/ 2/ 3/ 4/ 5 and subsequent Goals: Listed by quantity (1, 2, 3, etc) Venue (H/A): N: Aviva Stadium, Dublin H*: Tallaght Stadium, Dublin Other player/venue data Wed 22 Jan: Dundalk 1-2 CFR Cluj N*: Played at Oliva Nova, Spain Fri 24 Jan: Dundalk 0-2 CSKA Moskva N*: Played at Hotel Campoamor, Spain Thu 30 Jan: Dundalk 2-0 Drogheda United t Mark Hanratty t Andrew Quinn Mon 03 Feb: Crusaders 1-2 Dundalk t Mark Hanratty t Ronan Kilkenny t Jamie Wynne l Jamie Barry Tue 04 Feb: Dundalk 0-1 Longford Town u Josh Gatt t Mark Hanratty t Jamie Wynne t Val Adedokun t Andrew Quinn t Ronan Kilkenny l Jamie Barry

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57

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IT’S ALL ABOUT THE FIGURES...

THE NUMBERS GAME 2

- The number of Hobans present on the pitch when Dundalk played CFR Cluj. Unlike in recent seasons when the Horgan brothers- Daryl and Colm were in oppositionthis time there was no relationship between the respective surnames.

While Dundalk’s Patrick hails from Loughrea in Galway, Cluj’s Ovidiu is a 37 year old Romanian international who debuted for his country in 2013- the same year Patrick debuted for the Lilywhites. The similarities end there as Ovidiu is primarily known for his defensive qualities and Patrick is Dundalk’s leading goalscorer.

10

- Greg Sloggett is the third consecutive player to wear the number ten jersey for Dundalk and simultaneously hold a Third Level Education. His two previous predecessorsRonan Finn and Jamie McGrath graduated from University College Dublin and Maynooth University respectively while Sloggett also holds a degree from UCD. The other two players also enjoyed Republic of Ireland Under 21 experiences with Finn taking part in the 2007 Madeira Tournament held in Portugal and McGrath part of the autumn 2018 panel which faced Kosovo and Germany in

European qualification games. However, while Sloggett has yet to taste international Under 21 action, he has enjoyed Collingwood Cup successwith UCD in 2018, something the other two have not.

21

- The number of years since Gary Rogers first began doing preseason training in the League of Ireland. Following his signing with Shelbourne in 1999, the Bohermeen netminder has gone on to represent his Leaguein a 2010 friendly against Manchester United in the Aviva Stadium- and his country, sitting on the bench for the Republic of Ireland on a number of occasions in 2016. He is currently the most decorated goalkeeper in the League of Ireland with five Premier Division titles, four FAI Cups and over 500 League of Ireland appearances.

112

- The number of days between the last league game at Oriel Park of the 2019 season and the first league game of 2020. Since St Patrick’s Athletic were beaten 4-0 in front of the TV cameras to lift the league trophy, Dundalk have gone on to lift the Unite the Union trophy and today have the chance to lift a second piece of silverware before getting the chance to begin the defence of their league title. Incidentally, 112 days after the opening league game of 2020 v Derry City, Dundalk will travel to Tolka Park. (In a strange link, Tolka Park was the scene of Stephen Kenny’s first game in charge of Derry City in 2004- a spell in which he managed the Candystripes for 112 games)

30 January 2020; Patrick Hoban of Dundalk in action against Derek Prendergast of Drogheda United during the Jim Malone Cup match between Dundalk and Drogheda United at Oriel Park

59

EXTRA TIME:

THE SPECTATOR SPRING IS AFOOT. THERE A CRISP FRESHNESS IN THE AIR. BUDS ON THE TREES PROMISE NEW LIFE. AND IRISH FOOTBALL’S SPRING TRADITIONS ARE IN FULL BLOOM. THE FAI IS IN CRISIS MODE. A SELECTION OF ELITE LEAGUE OF IRELAND PLAYERS HAVE DEPARTED FOR THE GLAMOUR OF ST MIRREN, LINCOLN CITY AND NEW MEXICO UNITED WHILE A RAGTAG BUNCH OF REPLACEMENTS HAVE BEEN SOURCED FROM CROSS CHANNEL CAST OFFS AND THE IRISH FOOTBALL FOOD CHAIN. The League of Ireland First Division has been cobbled together like a street game composed of all available kids aged between 7 and 16, with Shamrock Rovers’ ugly little brother drafted in to make up the numbers.

The ’Irish football in crisis’ tradition is almost as inevitable at this time of year as the newer but equally deep-rooted and intractable tradition of things being called off because it’s a bit windy or rainy- in one of the windiest, rainiest countries on Earth. Last week’s curtain-raising President’s Cup clash with the aforementioned Hooped Minions of Beelzebub was postponed not because

Satan, with one eye on protecting his preferred League of Ireland club, had sent an apocalyptic storm to wreak havoc, but because it was a bit windy in Galway. The Spectator is being facetious (perish the thought), but the gist of it was that the match was postponed due to an orange weather warning imposed on the entire country. (Prepare, dear reader, for The Spectator’s passable impression of Grandpa Simpson launching into an incoherent rant about the modern world.) The orange weather warning which was only in effect until midday anyway and which even by Met Eireann’s alarmist standards only means ‘be prepared’, resulted in matches throughout the country being postponed with the inappropriate haste of a gaggle of schoolkids pre-empting the bell at the end of school. By 3pm on Sunday it was sunny, 10°C and a bit breezy in Dundalk.

Match postponed.

Met Eireann’s colour coded warning system is part of an everincreasingly risk-averse culture that prioritises safety- read avoiding a claim- over everything else. This is caused, in no small part, by an insurance industry gouging the public to

60

a degree that would make ticket scalpers blush, and has generated a sub-culture claims industry and economy.

The result is a society where insurance costs are driving small businesses to the wall, where we’re afraid to let children play football (or even run) in the school yard and where we’re afraid to play a football match on the east of the country when there’s a storm in the west. In recent years when The Spectator was involved in coaching kids soccer (and people wonder why the game in Ireland is in a mess) any bit of wind or rain would bring inevitable texts and WhatsApps from parents querying whether training was going ahead.

The Spectator’s default reply was a terse “Yes, the all-weather pitch is playable in all weather”.

But then The Spectator has a friend who is a piano teacher and she regularly gets questions about whether teaching is going ahead during weather warnings. Just to clarify she’s one of those weird piano teachers who teach indoors.

Perhaps The Spectator is screaming vainly into the void, perhaps ‘health and safety’ should be prioritised above all else, perhaps the fact that vast swathes of Oriel

Park are, ahem, exposed to the elements should be a deciding factor in the decision. Even just a few years ago the match would have gone ahead.

Those who were here for a wintry game with Rovers in 2006, playing in gale force winds, will not forget it in a hurry.

That night the winds were strong enough to briefly knock the floodlights out, prompting a memorable call over the PA for the help of any electricians in the ground. There was no orange warning and we all lived to tell the tale. Perhaps that was risk that shouldn’t have been taken, but perhaps, perhaps, perhaps we’ve just slipped a little too far in the safety-first direction.

Anyway, where were we?

Ah yes, back to football!

Well, hopefully we’ll get back to football on Friday 14th of February- if it’s not raining in Kerry. Whatever about the President’s Cup debacle, the season starts in earnest tonight when Dundalk host Derry City. Tomorrow’s bloodn-thunder Dublin derby should be entertaining in a drunken fight kind of way, but tonight’s match will be of more interest to people who like watching football. Vinny Perth’s Dundalk have always been good value for money and the addition of the likes of Greg Sloggett, Darragh Leahy and Will Patching add a frisson of newbie excitement. Declan Devine’s alliterative Derry, too, are unafraid to play

ball, and the addition of a Belgian, an Ivorian and a Norwegian to their squad has added cosmopolitan glamour to the Bogside.

Let’s hope these foreign types aren’t put off by a bit of wind and rain. end of season anti-climax, losing the cup final to a Cork City side that kicked on spectacularly in 2017.

It’s enough to traumatise a Lilywhite. Here’s hoping Vinny Perth’s men lay down a marker today to exorcise the ghost of November. If not, well, it’s only a pre-season friendly, isn’t it?

30 January 2020; Minister of State for Tourism and Sport Brendan Griffin TD, and Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Shane Ross TD, following a Government Officials, FAI, UEFA and Bank of Ireland meeting at the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport in Dublin.

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HALF-TIME CHALLENGE

THE QUIZ

Dundalk 1. What nationality is new Dundalk loan signing Cammy Smith?

2. Bray, Shelbourne, Monaghan United, Portadown, Dundalk, Name the player.

3. For which Scottish Premier Division side did Jamie McGrath sign?

Derry City 1

4. David Parkhouse was at Derry City on loan from which PL side last season?

5. Name the ex Liverpool and Real Madrid midfielder now with Derry City.

6. Which NIPL side play their home league games at the Ryan McBride Brandywell?

Premier Division 7. Ryan Connolly recently signed for which club?

8. Which club is now sponsored by JD Sports?

4

9. Name the Cork City goalkeeper who has played with Anderlecht’s Underage sides.

First Division 10. Which side signed former Dundalk underage player James Carroll and ex UCD men Dan Tobin and Tom Murphy?

11. Who does Gary Cronin manage?

12. Who play at St Colman’s Park?

Mixed Bag 13. Vinicius Jr plays with which La Liga side?

9

14. Niall Quinn was chairman of which (then) Championship side?

15. In what year did Oliver Khan win World Cup Player of the Tournament?

1. Scottish 2. Brian Gartland 3. St Mirren 4. Sheffield United 5. Gerardo Bruna 6. Institute 7. Finn Harps 8. Shamrock Rovers 9. Liam Bossin 10. Wexford 11. Bray Wanderers 12. Cobh Ramblers 13. Real Madrid 14. Sunderland 15. 2002

14

ANSWERS 62

OUR GAME KNOWS YOUR NAME

NEO X ELITE

THE OFFICIAL MATCH BALL OF THE 2020 SSE AIRTRICITY LEAGUE, FEATURING BESPOKE BALLS MADE FOR EACH CLUB.

UMBRO.IE

HONOURS

DUNDALK

DERRY CITY

1

GARY ROGERS

1

PETER CHERRIE

League of Ireland Champions (14):

2

SEAN GANNON

2

COLM HORGAN

1932/33, ‘62/63, ‘66/67, ‘75/76, ‘78/79,

3

BRIAN GARTLAND

3

CIARAN COLL

4

SEAN HOARE

4

CIARON HARKIN

5

CHRIS SHIELDS

5

RYAN McBRIDE

6

JORDAN FLORES

6

EOIN TOAL

7

MICHAEL DUFFY

7

JAMIE McDONAGH

8

JOHN MOUNTNEY

8

GERARDO BRUNA

9

PATRICK HOBAN

9

TIM NILSEN

10 GREGORY SLOGGETT

10 WALTER FIGUEIRA

11

11

PATRICK McELENEY

ADAM LITTLE

‘81/82, ‘87/88, ‘90/91, ‘94/95, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2018, 2019

First Division Champions (2): 2000/01, 2008

FAI Cup Winners (11): 1942, 1949, 1952, 1958, 1977, 1979, 1981, 1988, 2002, 2015, 2018

12 GEORGIE KELLY

12

13

13 NATHAN GARTSIDE

14 DANE MASSEY

14

15 DARRAGH LEAHY

15 RONAN BOYCE

16 SEAN MURRAY

16 CONOR CLIFFORD

17

17 MOUSSA PAUL BAKAYOKO

18 WILL PATCHING

18 MARK FARREN

19

19 STEVEN MALLON

20 AARON McCAREY

20 DARREN COLE

21 DANIEL CLEARY

21 DANNY LUPANO

22 STEFAN COLOVIC

22 CONOR MCCORMACK

23 CAMERON SMITH

23 ALLY GILCHRIST

24

24 MARK McCHRYSTAL

25

25

Leinster Senior Cup Winners (7):

26

26

1951/52, ‘60/61, ‘70/71, ‘73/74, ‘76/77,

27 DANIEL KELLY

27

28 LIDO LOTEFA

28

29

29 JACK MALONE

30

30 JACK LEMOIGNAN

31

31

Top Four Cup Winners (2): 1963/64, ‘66/67 League of Ireland Shield Winners (2): 1966/67, ‘71/72 League Cup Winners (7): 1977/78, ‘80/81, ‘86/87, ‘89/90, 2014, 2017, 2019

FAI President’s Cup Winners (2): 2015, 2019

‘77/78, 2015 Leinster FA President’s Cup Winners (9): 1930/31, ‘51/52, ‘63/64, ‘64/65, ‘79/80, ‘80/81, ‘81/82, ‘88/89, ‘89/90

44 ANDY BOYLE MANAGER VINNY PERTH

MANAGER DECLAN DEVINE

Dublin City Cup Winners (5): 1937/38, ‘42/43, ‘48/49, ‘67/68, ‘68/69

MATCH OFFICIALS

Women’s FAI Cup Winners (1): 2005

REFEREE: NEIL DOYLE ASSISTANT REFEREE: ALLEN LYNCH & EMMET DYNAN FOURTH OFFICIAL: ALAN PATCHELL

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