DERRY CITY F.C. v ST PATRICK’S ATHLETIC F.C. LEAGUE OF IRELAND MEN’S PREMIER DIVISION FRIDAY 29th AUGUST 2025 | 7.45pm Vol. 41 - No. 16
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Welcome to...
ST PAT’S ATHLETIC F.C.
DERRY CITY FOOTBALL CLUB Formed:
1928
Ground:
Brandywell Stadium
Manager:
Tiernan Lynch
Asst Manager:
Seamus Lynch
Coach:
Andy Mitchell
Co-Ordinator:
Patrick McEleney
GK Coach:
Anthony Fennelly
Development:
Mark McChrystal
Head Analyst:
Rory Scott
S&D Coach
Danny Doherty
Physio:
Leah McCreadie
Kit Man:
Georgie Harkin
Kit Man:
Gerry Sheppard
Doctor:
Dr. Noel Boyle
Podiatrist:
Patrick McGill
CITYVIEW is the Official Match Day Programme of Derry City FC. The views expressed are, however, not necessarily those of the Board Of Directors, or indeed the Programme Committee. Design and Layout by Andrew Cassidy. Photographs courtesy of Event Images and Maiden City Images unless otherwise stated. Cover image by Ramsey Cardy. Printing by City Print, Springtown Industrial Estate. Please support all of our sponsors. For queries about CityView contact andrew@derrycityfc.net
HONOURS:
League of Ireland Premier Division: 1988–89, 1996–97 FAI Cup: 1988–89, 1994–95, 2002, 2006, 2012, 2022 League of Ireland Cup: 1988–89, 1990–91, 1991–92, 1993–94, 1999–00, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2011, 2018 League of Ireland First Division: 1986–87, 2010 League of Ireland First Division Shield: 1985–86 Irish Football League: 1964–65 IFA Cup: 1948–49, 1953–54, 1963–64
Welcome back to the Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium for tonight’s leageu game against St Patrick’s Athletic. And it’s a big welcome back to Stephen Kenny, his staff and players from St Pat’s and the supporters and officials who have travelled up from Inchicore who have travelled up for this evening’s game. There have been some epic matches over the years between tonight’s two sides, and there’s a mutual respect now based on those games and especially the many FAI Cup Finals. This season, there’s been three games already between the sides which have produced one win for St. Pats in Richmond Park after two penalties scored by Aidan Keena, and two 1-0 wins for Derry City both home and away. Here at the Brandywell back in May,
Danny Mullan scored the winner, and in June in Richmond Park, Liam Boyce scored the winner. There’s only 4 points between the sides going into tonight’s game, with Derry sitting in third place and St Pats in fifth place. There have only been two 0-0 draws in the last 10 years of games between the two sides, so we’re sure of goals tonight, that’s for sure! Let’s just hope they’re for the home side! Enjoy the game!
TONIGHT’S MATCH OFFICIALS: Referee: MARC LYNCH
Assistant 1: Ciaran O’Reilly |Assistant 2: Shane O’Brien Fourth Official: Mark Houlihan
TONIGHT’S MATCH SPONSOR:
12 Clarendon St, Derry | (028) 7126 4416 | www.mmp.legal PLEASE SUPPORT ALL OUR SPONSORS
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MESSAGE FROM THE MANAGER
I’d like to welcome you all to tonight’s game and to also extend a welcome to Stephen Kenny and the players, staff and supporters of St Patrick’s Athletic. We’re heading towards the business end of the season now and there are quite a few clubs who have eyes fixed on those European places for next season. Like ourselves, St Pats are very much in that race and are on a good run of form at the minute, so we’re expecting nothing other than a very tough night ahead. Of course we’re coming here on the back of an important win in Galway last weekend but unfortunately our last game here saw us knocked out of the cup on penalties by Drogheda. We’ve spoken at length about the game itself but I’d just like to reiterate that having watched that match several times over I found it very difficult to be too critical of our players. Obviously if we’d have taken a fraction of our chances there would have been no need for extra time, never mind penalties, but I thought the players gave it everything without getting their rewards.
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Starting tonight we have eight more games left this season- four here and four away. Those games will dictate whether or not we’ll have European football back at the Brandywell next season.
We all know the difference a big, passionate home support can make and while we all share the disappointment of going out of the cup in that fashion, there is still a huge prize on offer.
For me, it is vital that collectively, we’re all in it together.
We have one aim now over those last seven games and we need every single personourselves as staff, players, support staff and fans all pulling together.
It’s no secret that players get a lift from their home support and that can be particularly true at the Brandywell. There have been nights here this season where the fans have lifted us over the line and it is a fantastic venue when that happens. And that’s what I’m asking from our supporters over the final weeks of the seasonespecially here on our own patch.
If we can do that it would give us a real chance of finishing the season on a high. Enjoy the game!
Tiernan Lynch, Manager
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DERRY CITY VS T.N.S. 2003 In preparation for their upcoming European fixture against Manchester City, TNS (Total Network Solutions) of the League of Wales (now called the Cymru Premier) came to the Brandywell on Saturday 19th July 2003. Although referred to as a Welsh club their ground now is over the border in Shropshire and their full title is The New Saints of Oswestry Town and Llansantffraid FC. The match was only possible because Derry’s scheduled opponents, Bohemians, were involved in Europe. The Candystripes were also preparing for their tie in Cyprus against APOEL Nicosia. There was a local connection to TNS as their goalkeeper, and future City player, Gerard Doherty was in their team. This season they have locals Josh Daniels and Rory Holden playing for them.
By Francie McCauley In what turned out to be an entertaining game (admission prices £5/£3) the attendance was very small despite tickets for the friendly against Barcelona being available to purchase inside the ground. Derry were having a poor season lying second bottom of the LOI Premier Division but nonetheless put in an impressive performance although a converted Liam Coyle penalty in the second minute was all that separated the teams at the final whistle. Gary Beckett had been pulled down in the box and Coyle sent Doherty the wrong way with his spot kick. At times the game became a bit physical with a number of yellow cards being dished out. Despite the 40-page match programme (cost £1.50) being 50% adverts there was still plenty of reading. Amongst other articles Kevin Mahon penned what was to be his final ‘Manager’s Message’ as over the weekend he was to be replaced by Dermot Keeley. There was a roundup of news from the Eircom League, a brief history of TNS and ‘A View from the Terraces’ was a witty view of recent goings on with the Brandywell club. City’s loanee goalkeeper David Forde had been recalled by West Ham United
and a related article referred to it as ‘A body blow to Derry City’. Liam Hegarty was ‘On the War Path’ with the local media’s reporting of the club firmly in his sights. Brian Dunleavy looked back to matches played by Derry in previous seasons in ‘This Week in July’. In a very humorous article, over two pages, entitled “carry On El Cabbio” Mick Mc Bride recounted his misadventures while on his way to Lisbon to watch City take on Benfica. A picture of Mick and his wife Teresa was also included. His article was ‘… to be continued’. Lineups were, strangely, on page 17 and we had two pages of Derry stats and results. David Doherty wrote about ‘Youth Development’, Gerard Doherty had a full-page photo and a ‘Half-Time Quiz’ finished things off.
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FOOTBALL FACTS AND FIGURES Reading a report last week on Shamrock Rovers playing Santa Clara in their UEFA Conference League tie in the Azores I discovered that their stadium, the Estadio de Sao Miguel is the most westerly ground on the continent of Europe. (approximately 930 miles off the coast of Portugal) This then prompted me to look at the geographical extremes in European football grounds. Starting with our own League of Ireland the Brandywell is the most Northerly with Cork’s Turrners Cross at the bottom of the country. Of course the Candystripes played even further north in Maginn Park, Buncrana during the 2017 season when the Lone Moor Road venue was being redeveloped. Shelbourne’s Tolka Park is the most easterly while last week’s opponents play at the most westerly outpost of Eamon Deacy Park. The most northerly pitch in Europe is at the Romsaa Arena in Tromso, Norway where the Northern Lights appear on occasions ! The furthest away to the east is in Cyprus at Paralimni. The most southern ground is the Gran Canaria stadium home to UD Las Palmas. Moving on to looking at biggest versus smallest stadiums across in Britain, Wembley which was opened in 1934 and renovated in 2006 at the cost of £35 million holds 90,000. The smallest English ground is in Wetherby Road, Harrogate
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By Sean McGillan
with a capacity of just 5,000. However plans are afoot to rebuild Old Trafford to seat 100,000 (above). The cost is estimated to be around £2 billion but this could well go over budget ! The new stadium just completed for Everton cost more than £750 million. It accommodates just under 53,000 spectators. Up North in Scotland Celtic Park holding 60,832 is the largest while at the other end Dumbarton’s ground in League 2 accommodates just 2020 ! Down in Wales the largest soccer ground is in Cardiff & holds 33,280 while the smallest is the Racecourse Ground Wrexham where James McClean has been for 2 years. It’s capacity is 13,341. Across the pond in The United States the largest soccer ground is the Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbour with a capacity of 107,601.The smallest holding just 10,000 is the Wild Horse Pass in Chandler, Arizona.
Wherever you go in the world you will come across stadiums which are well worth a visit such as The Melbourne Cricket Ground where I had a conducted tour some years ago. It hosts other sports apart from local & national cricket. Back in 1956 when the track events of the Olympic Games were held there Ronnie Delaney won the gold medal for Ireland in the 1500 metres. It is also the home for Australian Rules Football games including the AFL Final. It was used in the FIFA World Cup qualifiers and Rugby Union & Rugby League games are accommodated. The Olympic Games Football Final in 1956 between the old USSR v Yugoslavia attracted 104, 700 spectators. Over the years several Premier League clubs have played there including Manchester United, Liverpool & Crystal Palace as well as international sides - Brazil, France, Greece & Argentina.
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NEWS FROM AROUND THE LEAGUE
2025 LEAGUE TABLE: Pld Pts Shamrock Rvrs
27
53
Bohemians
28
46
DERRY CITY
28
45
Drogheda Utd
28
42
St. Pat’s Athletic
28
41
Shelbourne
27
39
Waterford
28
34
Galway United
28
30
Sligo Rovers
28
29
Cork City
28
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Last Round’s Results: FRIDAY 22nd AUGUST Waterford 1-2 Sligo Rovers Drogheda Utd 0-1 St Pats Athl Galway Utd 1-2 DERRY CITY Bohemian 3-0 Cork City
NEXT GAME:
This Round’s Fixtures: FRIDAY 29th AUGUST DERRY CITY v St Pats Athletic Cork City v Waterford SATURDAY 30th AUGUST Sligo Rovers v Bohemians SUNDAY 31st AUGUST Shelbourne v Galway United Shamrock Rvrs v Drogheda Utd
Derry City vs Shelbourne Friday 19th August, 7.45pm
DERRY CITY LOTTO
Prize Pot: £1,500
Play online now at clubs.clubforce.com 11
LANDMARKS: 100 GAMES FOR CONNOLLY & O’REILLY In recent games of the season, we have seen a few milestones for both the club and some players. Firstly, two players have reached 100 appearances for the club. In the home win over Waterford, club captain, Mark Connolly reached a century of Derry City games, while in the home game against Bohemians, Adam O’Reilly reached the same milestone. This bring to 60, the number of players who have made 100 appearances for the club during our 40 years in League of Ireland. The first player to represent the club on 100 occasions was Stuart Gauld in a 0-1 home defeat to Shamrock Rovers in April 1989. In Oct 1989, Jack Keay, Jonathon Speak and Felix Healy all made their 100th appearance for the club. The most recent player to
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By Brian Dunleavy reach 100 appearances for the club, was Brian Maher in May last season in a home game against Shelbourne. We have also seen a number of debuts recently, with Adam Frizzell, Alex Bannon, Dipo Akinyemi and Brandon Fleming all making their Derry City debuts, bring to 478 the number of players to have represented the club in League of Ireland. Also in the Waterford game, Micheal Duffy scored his 50th goal for the club, becoming just the 12th player to net a half century of goals. Mickey is the first City player to reach this milestone in 11 years and just the second in 16 years, the previous player being Rory Patterson. The first player to reach 50 goals for the club was Owen DaGama in a home game against Longford in April 1988, it was his last goal for the club. Jonathan Speak scored his 50 goal in a league cup game against Culdaff at Brandywell, while Alex Krstic was the third player to reach half a century of goal in a home game against Limerick FC in April 1990. Again it was his
final goal for the club. For the record, the other players who have reached this milestone are Stuart Gauld, Liam Coyle, Sean Hargan, Peter Hutton, Gary Beckett, Mark Farren, Ciaran Martyn and Rory Patterson. The win over Waterford was our 800th victory since joining League of Ireland. We have recorded victories over 62 different sides, with most wins coming over Bohemians, who we have beaten on 70 occasions, followed by Finn Harps 58 times and St Patrick’s Athletic 54 times. In the cup win away to Treaty United, Liam Boyce scored the club’s first substitute hat trick, our 58th hat trick in all. His third goal from the penalty spot was our 300th goal in the FAI cup and also our 1100th away goal.
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choice?
I like a Chinese when I get a few days at home!
D IS FOR DIRTY... BRIAN MAHER
Which team mate is the messiest in the dressing room? Ronan Boyce! Just ask Shane Ferguson!
E IS FOR EUROPE OR CUP...
Would you rather get through to the later rounds in Europe or win the Cup Final at the Aviva if you could only do one? I’d rather win the Cup final at the Aviva!
A IS FOR ADVICE...
What’s the best piece of advice to give to young footballers? Just enjoy it!
B IS FOR BOOTS...
What made you choose the boots that you wear? I just found ones that I think are comfortable and stuck with them!
C IS FOR CHIPPY...
It’s takeaway night, where do you go and what’s your
F IS FOR FACEBOOK...
Do you ever have a look at or read reviews or comments online after a game? No, I don’t see the benefit of it, although some do get sent to me!
G IS FOR GYM...
Which team mate spends the longest in the gym? I’d probably put myself and Sam Todd! I think he must pay rent at the gym!
H IS FOR HOLIDAY...
Do you prefer a sightseeing
city break or a lay by the pool holiday? I prefer to just lay by the pool and chill!
I IS FOR IRREPLACEABLE...
What is the one thing that you couldn’t go a day without? Probably my phone so I can stay in contact with my family at home.
J IS FOR JOB...
Have you ever had a job outside of football? Nope, I never have!
K IS FOR KITCHEN...
What is your speciality dish to cook if you wanted to impress in the kitchen? I don’t really have a dish as such. I just like making different types of pasta to be honest!
L IS FOR LOVE ISLAND...
Which team mate would be the most likely to apply for Love Island? Arlo Doherty I reckon!
M IS FOR MATES...
If you were to get into an argument on the pitch, which team mate would you be glad to see arriving to back you up? I’d have to say an angry Adam O’Reilly!
N IS FOR NOISE...
If the squad had to be quiet for as long as possible, which team mate would break and speak first? Could only be Carl Winchester, 100%!
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O IS FOR OLYMPICS...
What Olympic sport do you think you’d make the best attempt at? I might not make the best attempt at it, but I’d love a go at the golf.
P IS FOR PENALTIES...
Would you put yourself forward to take one if a big cup final went to penalties? I don’t think I’ll be allowed after last time! The European game in Tallaght.
Q IS FOR QUIET...
Do you prefer quietness or company? Both to be honest, depends on the day!
R IS FOR RULES...
If you could change one football rule or law, what would you change? I think there’s too many bookings these days. An early yellow for a player can ruin a game.
S IS FOR SCHOOL...
What was your best subject at school? I’d say Business Studies maybe.
T IS FOR TEXT...
Which team mate would be the most likely to take a week to reply to a text? Ronan Boyce’s phone is broken... apparently! So yeah, I’ll say him!
U IS FOR USED...
What is the most used app on your phone? Probably WhatsApp or TikTok.
V IS FOR VIDEO GAMES...
What is or was your favourite video game? FIFA growing up was always the game.
W IS FOR WORLDIE...
What goal sticks out to you as the best you’ve ever seen? Either on TV or in person. That’s a tough one. Since I’ve been here, maybe Mickys goal against Bohs in the Brandywell (Above)
X IS FOR EXCHANGE...
Which one game would you go back and change the result of if you could? Definitely the FAI Cup Final last year.
Y IS FOR YOUNG...
Which two young footballers do you think will go on to be the next Messi or Ronaldo debate as the best players in the world? I’d think Lamine Yamal will be one anyway (Left). I don’t think anyone is near him at the minute
Z IS FOR ZOOM...
If you could have a 10min Zoom call with anyone in the world, who do you choose? If it was a footballer right now I’d pick Alisson, other sports maybe McIlroy
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H
H
A
H
H
A
H
A
A
H
H
A
A
H
A
H
H
A
H
A
H
A
H
A
H
A
05.05.25
09.05.25
16.05.25
23.05.25
30.05.25
13.06.25
20.06.25
23.06.25
27.06.25
04.07.25
12.07.25
18.07.25
25.07.25
01.08.25
08.08.25
16.08.25
22.08.25
29.08.25
12.09.25
19.09.25
26.09.25
03.10.25
17.10.25
24.10.25
01.11.25
11.04.25
02.05.25
H
04.04.25
A
H
28.03.25
25.04.25
A
15.03.25
A
A
07.03.25
H
H
03.03.25
21.04.25
A
28.02.25
18.04.25
H
21.02.25
L
SHELS
SLIGO
WATERFORD
DROGHEDA
PATS
SHELS
GALWAY
BOHS
ROVERS
DROGHEDA
CORK
PATS
SHELS
WATERFORD
SLIGO
GALWAY
DROGHEDA
CORK
ROVERS
SLIGO
GALWAY
PATS
WATERFORD
BOHS
CORK
ROVERS
BOHS
L
L
L
L
L
L
L
L
L
CORK
ROVERS
WATERFORD
SLIGO
DROGHEDA
SHELS
BOHS
PATS
GALWAY
CUP DROGHEDA
L
L
L
CUP TREATY
L
L
L
L
L
L
L
L
L
L
L
L
L
L
L
L
L
L
L
L
L
L
L
2--1
1--1
0--0
0--2
1--1
5--1
0--2
7--2
3--0
1--0
1--0
1--1
0--1
1--2
1--1
2--1
1--0
2--0
1--2
3--0
3--2
1--3
2--1
0--0
1--0
1--1
0--2
1--2
1--0
1--3
A
H
14.02.25
SCORE
DATE
MAHER
MAHER
MAHER
MAHER
MAHER
MAHER
MAHER
MAHER
MAHER
MAHER
MAHER
MAHER
MAHER
MAHER
MAHER
MAHER
MAHER
MAHER
MAHER
MAHER
MAHER
MAHER
MAHER
MAHER
MAHER
MAHER
MAHER
MAHER
MAHER
MAHER
1
CONNOLLY DUFFY
CONNOLLY DUFFY
CONNOLLY DUFFY
CONNOLLY DUFFY 1
O’REILLY
CONNOLLY DUFFY
CONNOLLY DUFFY
O’REILLY
O’REILLY
CONNOLLY DUFFY
CANN
CANN
DOHERTY
THOMAS
THOMAS
CANN
CANN
CANN
WHYTE
WHYTE
DIALLO1
DIALLO
DIALLO
DIALLO
WHYTE
WHYTE
DIALLO
DIALLO
DIALLO
DIALLO
CANN
FLEMING
FLEMING
HOLT
DIALLO
FLEMING
FLEMING
BANNON
BANNON
TODD
WINCHESTER STOTT
WINCHESTER STOTT
WINCHESTER BANNON
WINCHESTER SCOTT
WINCHESTER TODD FLEMING
TODD
TODD 1
TODD
TODD
HOLT1
HOLT
TODD
TODD
TODD
WINCHESTER TODD
WINCHESTER HOLT
WINCHESTER HOLT
WINCHESTER HOLT
WINCHESTER HOLT
WINCHESTER MULLEN
WINCHESTER MULLEN
WINCHESTER HOLT
CANN
HOLT
HOLT
HOLT
HOLT
L BOYCE
WINCHESTER HOLT
WINCHESTER HOLT 1 BENSON
TODD
HOLT
WINCHESTER HOLT
WINCHESTER MULLEN
WINCHESTER MULLEN 2
L BOYCE
L BOYCE
L BOYCE
11
BANNON
BANNON 1
L BOYCE
L BOYCE
L BOYCE
BANNON 1
L BOYCE
L BOYCE 3
L BOYCE
L BOYCE 1
L BOYCE
TODD
TODD
L BOYCE
L BOYCE
L BOYCE 1
MULLEN 1
L BOYCE 1
TODD
TODD
TODD
L BOYCE 1
PATTON
HOLT
L BOYCE
L BOYCE
WINCHESTER HOLT
WINCHESTER MULLEN
THOMAS
THOMAS
DIALLO
WINCHESTER HOLT
WINCHESTER MULLEN 1
CANN
10
WINCHESTER TODD
WINCHESTER MULLEN
AKINYEMI WHYTE
DIALLO
CANN
CANN
CANN
CANN
CANN
9 WINCHESTER TODD
WINCHESTER HOLT
MCMULLAN CANN
WHYTE
THOMAS
THOMAS
THOMAS
CANN
CANN
MCMULLAN CANN
WHYTE
WHYTE
WHYTE
O’REILLY
O’REILLY
BENSON
BENSON
BENSON1
BENSON
AKINYEMI 1 WHYTE
AKINYEMI
WHYTE
AKINYEMI
DIALLO
DIALLO
8 THOMAS
MCMULLAN DOHERTY CANN
DOHERTY
DOHERTY
AKINYEMI 1 DIALLO
FERGUSON CONNOLLY DUFFY
CONNOLLY DUFFY
R BOYCE
WHYTE
WHYTE
WHYTE
WHYTE
O’REILLY
FERGUSON CONNOLLY DUFFY
CONNOLLY1 DUFFY
CONNOLLY DUFFY
R BOYCE
R BOYCE
R BOYCE
R BOYCE
R BOYCE 1 CONNOLLY DUFFY
R BOYCE
R BOYCE
CONNOLLY DUFFY
O’REILLY
O’REILLY
O’REILLY
O’REILLY
FERGUSON CONNOLLY DUFFY
FERGUSON CONNOLLY DUFFY
R BOYCE
WHYTE
WHYTE 1
WHYTE 1
O’REILLY
WHYTE
DIALLO
HOBAN
7
MCMULLAN WHYTE
O’REILLY
O’REILLY
O’REILLY
6
MCMULLAN DOHERTY
O’REILLY
O’REILLY
O’REILLY
HOBAN
FERGUSON CONNOLLY DUFFY 1
CONNOLLY DUFFY
CONNOLLY DUFFY
CONNOLLY DUFFY
CONNOLLY DUFFY
O’REILLY
CONNOLLY DUFFY
CONNOLLY DUFFY 1
FERGUSON CONNOLLY DUFFY
HARKIN
R BOYCE
R BOYCE
R BOYCE
R BOYCE
R BOYCE
R BOYCE
R BOYCE
O’REILLY
CONNOLLY DUFFY
CONNOLLY DUFFY 1
R BOYCE 1 DUFFY 1
R BOYCE
R BOYCE
5
FERGUSON CONNOLLY DUFFY 1
CONNOLLY DUFFY
R BOYCE
4
FERGUSON CONNOLLY DUFFY 1
3
FERGUSON HARKIN
R BOYCE
R BOYCE
2
13
BENSON
MULLEN
BENSON
BENSON
TODD
WHYTE
O’REILLY
R BOYCE
R BOYCE
R BOYCE
O’REILLY
BENSON
O’REILLY
MULLEN
L BOYCE
BANNON
DOHERTY MULLEN
FRIZZELL MULLEN
TODD
PATTON
DOHERTY FRIZZELL MULLEN CANN
PATTON
FRIZZELL MULLEN
MULLEN 1
MULLEN
DOHERTY THOMAS
TODD
FRIZZELL MULLEN 1 L BOYCE 3
MULLEN
L BOYCE
DOHERTY MULLEN 1
MULLEN
TODD
TODD
AKINYEMI DOHERTY MULLEN
WHYTE
BENSON
CANN
BENSON
BENSON
McMULLAN BENSON
PATTON
PATTON
16
L BOYCE 1 PATTON
L BOYCE
TODD
PATTON
PATTON
McMULLAN BENSON
McMULLAN BENSON
THOMAS
BENSON
McMULLAN BENSON
FERGUSON O’REILLY
O’REILLY
THOMAS
MULLEN
O’REILLY
McMULLAN THOMAS
FERGUSON O’REILLY
HOBAN
PATTON
PATTON
THOMAS
L BOYCE
MULLEN
TODD
McMULLAN MULLEN
BENSON
McMULLAN DIALLO
R BOYCE
HOBAN
HOBAN
HARKIN
WHYTE
MCMULLAN BENSON
DOHERTY
PATTON
15
DOHERTY TODD
McMULLAN CANN
FERGUSON HARKIN
O’REILLY
MCMULLAN CANN
FERGUSON WHYTE
WHYTE
BENSON
DIALLO
14
McMULLAN BENSON
FERGUSON HARKIN
HOBAN
HARKIN
HOBAN 1
HOBAN
McMULLAN WHYTE
12
2025 STARTING XI TEAM GRID
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20
TONIGHT’S SQUADS DERRY CITY F.C.
ST PAT’S ATHLETIC
1 - BRIAN MAHER 2 - RONAN BOYCE 3 - SHANE FERGUSON 6 - MARK CONNOLLY 7 - MICHAEL DUFFY 8 - ADAM O’REILLY 10 - DIPO AKINYEMI 11 - GAVIN WHYTE 13 - ROBBIE BENSON 14 - BEN DOHERTY 15 - SADOU DIALLO 16 - HAYDEN CANN 17 - ADAM FRIZZELL 19 - BRANDON FLEMING 20 - CARL WINCHESTER 22 - JAMIE STOTT 21 - DANNY MULLEN 23 - CAMERON DUMMIGAN 24 - SAM TODD 25 - ALEX BANNON 26 - ARLO DOHERTY 27 - LIAM BOYCE 32 - SEAN PATTON
1 - DANNY ROGERS 2 - SEÁN HOARE 3 - ANTHONY BRESLIN 4 - JOE REDMOND 5 - TOM GRIVOSTI 6 - JAMIE LENNON 7 - ZACHARY ELBOUZEDI 8 - CHRIS FORRESTER 9 - MASON MELIA 10 - KIAN LEAVY 11 - JASON MCCLELLAND 14 - BRANDON KAVANAGH 15 - CONOR CARTY 17 - ROMAL PALMER 18 - AIDAN KEENA 19 - BARRY BAGGLEY 20 - JAKE MULRANEY 21 - AXEL SJÖBERG 22 - JORDON GARRICK 23 - RYAN MCLAUGHLIN 24 - LUKE TURNER 25 - SIMON POWER 26 - DARREN ROBINSON] 30 - AL-AMIN KAZEEM 49 - SEAN MOLLOY 94 - JOSEPH ANANG
Manager: TIERNAN LYNCH
Manager: STEPHEN KENNY
Tonight’s Match Sponsors: 12 Clarendon St, Derry (028) 7126 4416 www.mmp.legal
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More Powerful Together 22
CITY CUBS CORNER Send us in your photos and drawings to citycubs@derrycityfc.net and we’ll get them printed on the City Cubs page in the programme!!
SHIRT NUMBER MATHS CHALLENGE
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Can you do the maths with the shirt numbers to find out the name of the hidden Derry City player?
SPOT THE DIFFERENCE
Can you spot the FIVE differences between the two photos?
ANSWERS: SHIRT NUMBER MATHS: Robbie Benson (13) + Shane Ferguson (3) - Mark Connolly (6) = Dipo Akinyemi (10) SPOT THE DIFFERENCE: 1) Number has disappeared from Drogheda player, Lambe’s shirt; 2) Ball has appeared; 3) Wall in background has gotten lower; 4) Goalkeeper’s legs have disappeared; 5) Fans in the background on the right have disappeared
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Home & Away Live Match Commentary From our Match Night Live team on 105.3fm and online at www.drive105.co.uk
Drive105mnl 28
GOALSCORING GOALKEEPERS! We all know that goalkeepers and defenders are there to stop the goals going in, but we’ve all seen defenders chipping in with a few every now and again, and we’ve even seen the odd goalkeeper go up for a corner at the end of a game and one or two grabbing a goal for themselves. But this isn’t a list of goalkeepers who have chipped in with one or two rare goals. It’s not even going to include the likes of Peter Schmeichel who has 11 goals to his name during his career. This list has been narrowed down to only the goalkeepers who have scored over 40 goals in their time! Here’s the list: FÁBIO RAMPI 40 GOALS (2008–) 36yo Rampi is the only goalkeeper on the list that’s still playing. The Brazilian would take all the penalties and direct free kicks for 2 goals for São José-RS and was mostly successful with them! He scored his first goal while at Cruzeiro-RS in 2011 and another in 2012, and in April 2014, Rampi was loaned to São Luiz for the club’s 2014 Copa do Brasil run, which lasted only one match! But in 2015, he returned to São José in a permenant transfer and went straight into the first team. He went on to score 38 goals for São José-RS between 2015–present. MÁRCIO 40 GOALS (2002–2019)
Márcio scored 37 goals for Brazilian side Atlético Goianiense between 2007 and 2015. When he left to join Goiás in 2016, they didn’t have the same idea for him as a goalscorer and he managed just 1 goal in 13 games for his new club. He finished his career at Goiânia and scored a further 2 goals in 11 games to finish of his career in 2019. DIMITAR IVANKOV 42 GOALS (1996–2012) Bulgarian ‘keeper Ivankov is the highest-scoring European goalkeeper. Known for taking penalties, mostly for Levski Sofia, scoring 27 goals between 1996 and 2005. He joined Turkish club Kayserispor in June 2005. On 7 May 2008 he played a vital role in his new club winning the Turkish Cup, saving 3 penalties and scoring two himself. Between there and Bursaspor he notched up another 15 goals before finishing is career in Cyprus. RENÉ HIGUITA 43 GOALS (1985–2009)
Probably the first recognisable name on the list. René Higuita was the keeper who pulled off the famous scorpian kick when he performed it while clearing a cross from Jamie Redknapp during a friendly against England at Wembley Stadium in 1995. He became a pioneer of the ‘sweeper-keeper’ role, known for playing the ball out from the back, dribbling and taking on the opposition. He played for 13 clubs during his screer, scoring for 8 of them as well as 3 goals for the Colombian national team. JOHNNY VEGAS FERNÁNDEZ 45 GOALS (1997–2017)
Not the Johnny Vegas that you’d know! Johnny Vegas Fernández (real name!) scored 40 goals in Liga 1, Peru’s First Division, 1 goal in Copa Sudamericana, and 4 goals in Peru’s Second Division, 36 from penalties and 9 from outfield goals. He played for 15 clubs, scoring for 10 of them along the way.
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GOALSCORING GOALKEEPERS continued... JORGE CAMPOS 46 GOALS (1988–2004)
scored 44 goals scored for Pumas, 1 for Atlante and 1 for LA Galaxy.
ROGÉRIO CENI 141 GOALS (1990–2015)
JOSÉ LUIS CHILAVERT 67 GOALS (1982–2004)
Another possibly known name having starred for Mexico in the World Cup in USA ‘94. He was also well-known for designing his own bright, extravigant, oversized jerseys! Unlike the other goalkeepers though, Campos would switch midmatch and play up front for a while! Campos scored 28 goals for his club Pumas playing as striker while sub-keeper Adolfo Ríos would enter the game as a substitute. But even when he was in nets, he would still take the penalties and free kicks. He
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Chilavert had a fantiastic freekick technique that saw him take the majority of kicks for most of his teams. He holds several goalkeeping records for goals scored. Highest number of international goals (8), and first goalkeeper to score a hattrick in a game. He has 62 goals that are considered by IFFHS and more 5 goals scored at the Paraguayan Primera División.
You read that correctly, Ceni has 141 to his name! A record for a goalkeeper. Also a record number of free kicks (69), record number of penalties (72), record number of total goals (141). Scored 14 goals (six free kicks and eight penalties) in Copa Libertadores and 65 (26 free kicks, one indirect free kick, and 38 penalties) in the Brazilian League for São Paulo. He’s now the manager of Brazilian club Bahia.
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FANZONE: MEET THE FANS Deery City seem to have a loyal fan base of people who no longer live in the City but still follow the Candystripes avidly. One of these fans is Ciaran McCauley. Ciaran, now living in County Offaly still has close links with Derry City and here he offers his views on the club. Thanks for taking part in the Fanzone Ciaran! Name: Ciaran McCauley How long have you been supporting Derry City? Since they entered League of Ireland in 1985 and my dad brought me to the matches. Where do you sit in the Brandywell? Unfortunately due to living in Offaly these days I rarely get to the Brandywell but if I do get up I usually can get a seat in the Southend stand. Best Player you’ve seen playing for the Candystripes?
Liam Coyle. But there were so many from that era, Kristic, DaGama etc.
mind? Paul Mooney V Shelbourne, early 90’s
Why? Easily the classiest player I have seen. Had everything, touch, vision, strength. Even when playing on and hampered by his knee he was still the best player in the league.
Why? An absolute thunderbolt from nearly the halfway line. Was in the jungle at the time and the place just went wild. Moments like those still give me goosebumps.
Best opposition player you’ve seen play? Again there are so many to choose from but I think I’d have to go with Joey Ndo
Name your best Derry City team (you can pick from any era) One to Eleven with Three subs Timothy Dalton Kevin Brady Stuart Gauld Ryan McBride Pascal Vaudequin Paddy McCourt Paul Doolin Peter Hutton Owen DaGama Liam Coyle Alex Kristic SUBS: James McClean Mark Farren Mick Neville
Why? He was just brilliant to watch. Would have looked great in Candystripes! What’s the best ground, apart from the Brandywell, that you’ve seen Derry play in? Tallaght, it has the facilities all League of Ireland grounds should be aspiring to. What goal sticks out in your
TO TAKE PART IN FANZONE, CONTACT ANDREW@DERRYCITYFC.NET
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FANZONE: MEET THE FANS continued... Best manager you’ve seen at Derry City? Stephen Kenny Favourite half time snack? I’m partial to a cup of tea and a Twix What one thing would you introduce that you feel would improve the match day experience? Pre Match on pitch entertainment. Get the crowd in early and get them warmed up.
DERRY CITY VS ST PAT’S ATHLETIC: GOALS GALORE!
By Pól O’Hare
3 - DERRY CITY 0 - ST. PATRICK’S ATHLETIC, 2024 FAI CUP, 2ND ROUND:
The Candystripes kicked off their 2024 FAI Cup run by hosting holders St. Patrick’s Athletic in the second round. Coming off the back of a disappointing UEFA Conference League exit, Ruaidhrí Higgins’ side responded by playing their best football of the season – putting three past Stephen Kenny’s side. A Danny Mullen brace was followed by a Michael Duffy winner as City eliminated the 2023 champions. Derry City went on to defeat Cork City, Shelbourne and Bohemians to reach the final before falling to a 2-0 defeat against Drogheda United. 3 - DERRY CITY 0 - ST. PATRICK’S ATHLETIC 2023 PREMIER DIVISION:
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Goals from Will Patching, Jordan McEneff and current St. Pat’s midfielder Brandon Kavanagh ended the 2023 campaign on a high for the Candystripes. Ruaidhrí Higgins’ men consolidated second place in the table when they put three past the Inchicore side on the final day of last season. Avenging a 4-1 away loss earlier in the season, and a penalty shootout defeat
in the FAI Cup in August, the Candystripes played some of their best football all year – dominating with 68% possession. 0 - ST. PATRICK’S ATHLETIC 4 - DERRY CITY 2022 PREMIER DIVISION: Another high scoring fixture between these two saw Derry City
LIVE FOR IT
John Murphy e: johnmurphy@oneills.com m: 07870 158211
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FORMER CANDYSTRIPES IN EUROPE continued... come out on top in what was one of the Candystripes’ most impressive wins of the 2022 campaign. A Jamie McGonigle double, either side of goals from Matty Smith and Cameron Dummigan, saw the Candystripes hit St. Pat’s for four in Inchicore. It was Derry’s biggest win in Richmond Park since a 3-0 win there in April 2009 and showed that Ruaidhrí Higgins’ side meant business, as they went on to win the FAI Cup that November. 1 - DERRY CITY 0 - ST. PATRICK’S ATHLETIC 2018 FAI CUP 2ND ROUND: Prior to St. Pat’s’ penalty win over Derry City in the FAI Cup in 2023, the two sides hadn’t faced each other in cup action since the second round in 2018, when Derry City came away 1-0 victors following a late Aidy Delap winner. City keeper Gerard Doherty stole the spotlight however, saving an Ian Turner penalty which would turn out to be the last kick of the game to lift the roof in the Brandywell. The Candystripes beat Blarney United 12-2 in the previous round but fell to a quarter final defeat against Bohemians. 2 - ST. PATRICK’S ATHLETIC 0 - DERRY CITY 2014 FAI CUP FINAL: The 2014 FAI Cup final saw City and Pat’s pitted against each other for the second cup final in just three seasons, with the Dublin club coming out on top. Christy Fagan, unsatisfied with just one goal in the 2012 final,
scored a brace as the Saints won their first FAI Cup since 1961. City winger Michael Duffy and Pats midfielder Chris Forrester both started and are the only members of both the 2012 and 2014 cup final squads to still play for their respective side. Both still going strong as two of the Premier Division’s finest eleven years on. 3 - DERRY CITY 2 - ST. PATRICK’S ATHLETIC 2012 FAI CUP FINAL (AET): Derry City and St. Patrick’s Athletic met each other in the FAI Cup final once again in 2012. Sean O’Connor opened the scoring with a left footed free kick into Gerard Doherty’s top corner, but Derry were level within three minutes thanks to a Stewart Greacen header. Rory Patterson put City ahead, but extra-time was needed after Christy Fagan equalised at the death. Fifteen minutes into extra-time, Patterson bagged his second when he slotted past Brendan Clarke to clinch the cup for Derry. Former Derry manager Ruaidhrí Higgins was brought on the 81st minute,
whilst the aforementioned Chris Forrester played the whole 120 minutes as a nineteen year old. 4 - DERRY CITY 3 - ST. PATRICK’S ATHLETIC 2006 FAI CUP FINAL (AET): The 2006 final was the last football match to be held at the old Lansdowne Road before its redevelopment and, despite going behind three times and the game going to extra-time, Derry City triumphed 4-3 to lift their fourth FAI Cup. After beginning his managerial career with St. Patrick Athletic’s under 21 side, the 2006 final was Stephen Kenny’s last game in his first spell as Derry City manager. Kenny, now back in the dugout in Inchicore, remarked on how both teams were fantastic in contributing to a classic cup final. Mark Farren, Clive Delaney, and Peter Hutton scored for the Candystripes that day, with the winning goal cruelly coming from Stephen Brennan who put the ball into his own net. Dave Mulcahy, Trevor Molloy and Sean O’Connor, who also scored in the 2012 final, netted for the Saints.
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This week... Derry City fan... MICHAEL MCLAUGHLIN 1. Two players left Derry City for St Pats in 2024, one was their current No.14 Brandon Kavanagh, but who was the other?
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2. Derry City exited the FAI Cup recently, but who did St Pats beat to progress to the Quarter Finals? 3. Who was the last player to leave St Pats and sign directly for Derry City? 4. Can you name the former Barcelona star pictured on the right as a youth player? 5. Who holds the record of the most all-time appear-
7. ances for St Patrick’s Athletic?
6. St Pats were defeated in the the Europa Conference League by Beşiktaş recently, but who was the manager of Beşiktaş? 7. English winger Jaidon Anthony scored his first Premiership goal since 2022 last week, but who does he play for? 8. Brentford’s manager and captain have both played for Republic of Ireland, can you name both? MICHAEL’S ANSWERS: 1) Cian Kavanagh; 2) I think it was Shels?; 3) Can’t think! Brandon Kavanagh?; 4) Looks like Iniesta; 5) No idea!; 6) Solskjaer; 7) Don’t know. Leeds or someone just promoted?; 8) Keith Andrews... can’t remember the captain’s name!
MICHAEL’S SCORE: 4½ out of 8! Can you beat it? ANSWERS: 1) Cian Kavanagh; 2) Shelbourne; 3) Matty Smith (2022); 4) Andres Iniesta; 5) Ian Bermingham; 6) Ole Gunnar Solskjær; 7) Burnley; 8) Keith Andrews & Nathan Collins
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BE THE CHALLENGER! CONTACT ANDREW@DERRYCITYFC.NET
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