Enda McGuill Cup Finals 2015 to 2019: Where are they now?

Derry City and Bohemians faced each other last night at the Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium in the final of the Enda McGuill Cup. It was Derry City's first time in the final since losing to UCD in 2015 while Bohemians were in both the 2018 and 2019 decider, winning the latter and losing the former, both against Dublin rivals Shamrock Rovers.

Craig Sexton's men lost out last night in heart-breaking manner however it will most certainly not be the last we see of some of these players in the League of Ireland based on those who have previously graced the stage of the Enda McGuill Cup Final.

A number of the Bohemians squad from last night have played roles in the senior squad this season - goalscorer Sean Grehan, Colin Conroy, Aaron Doran and Robert Mahon. They will look to emulate the likes of Dawson Devoy, Andy Lyons, Ross Tierney and Promise Omochere in seeking starting positions for Keith Long, the latter three playing in Enda McGuill Cup Finals in 2018 and 2019 with Devoy playing in the 2019 semi-final.

Derry City progressed to the final thanks to a late strike from Michael Harris, set up by Evan McLaughlin. Both players, along with Patrick Ferry, Caolán McLaughlin, Caoimhin Porter and Marc Walsh have been involved in Ruadhraí Higgins' senior side this season with Evan McLaughlin most prominently of late. 

In this piece, we take a look at where some of the finalists have ended up and how many of those who graced a McGuill Cup Final are still in the league six years later.

It should be noted that there are other players not mentioned in the piece who may currently still be registered with clubs but haven't featured since before the summer break or some like the aforementioned Devoy who were eligible for the final but weren't named in the squad on the night.

Of the 2015 Derry City side, defeated by UCD in the final, Ciaron Harkin is still at the club while Georgie Kelly is at Bohs. Rory Holden and Ronan Curtis are both playing professionally in the UK while Patrick McClean is in the NIPL.

For UCD, Dylan Watts is currently at Shamrock Rovers, Greg Sloggett at Dundalk and Daire O'Connor is with Ayr United in the Scottish Championship.

2016 Enda McGuill Cup finalists St Patrick's Athletic have six of their squad currently in the League of Ireland Premier Division, one of whom is still at the club - Jamie Lennon. Of the other five, Rory Feely and Ciarán Kelly in are with Bohemians while Conor Kane and Darragh Markey are playing under Tim Clancy at Drogheda United. Shane Elworthy is currently with Longford Town.

Steven Kinsella (Cabinteely) and JJ Lunney of Shelbourne are two in the First Division with two others playing professionally - Fuad Sule in the NIPL and Aidan Keena in Scotland.

Their opponents in 2016, Cork City have two current first teamers - Cian Coleman and Alec Byrne, two in the First Division (Denzil Fernandes and Pierce Phillips) and three players from their squad that night are currently in the UK as professionals - Chiedozie Ogbene of Rotherham United, Conor McCarthy of St Mirren and Aaron Drinan of Leyton Orient.

From Dundalk's 2017 McGuill Cup winning side, only goalkeeper David Odumosu (an unused substitute on the night) remains in the League of Ireland Premier Division. He is currently the number one goalkeeper at Drogheda United and was named in the latest Republic of Ireland Under 21 squad. Utility left sided player Carlton Ubaezuono is part of John Caulfield's Galway United side aiming for promotion from the First Division, although this season, making 13 of the 21 matchday squads in 2021.

In comparison, the UCD side beaten in the 2017 final has two currently in the League of Ireland Premier Division (Neil Farrugia of Shamrock Rovers and Longford's Joe Manley) and six First Division players - Conor Kearns (Galway Utd), Seán Quinn and Yoyo Mahdy (Shelbourne), Luca Lovic (Bray), Seán McDonald (Cabinteely) and Mark Dignam (UCD). Midfielder Simon Power is currently playing with Harrogate Town in League One in England.

The 2018 Enda McGuill Cup Final saw Dublin rivals Shamrock Rovers and Bohemians face off against each other with the Phibsborough outfit coming out on top.

Of their squad that evening, both Andy Lyons and Promise Omochere are still currently in the Bohemians first team reckoning while Danny Grant and Ali Reghba are plying their trade in England. Mitch Byrne and Ryan Graydon are both in the First Division, with Cabinteely and Bray Wanderers respectively.

From a Shamrock Rovers point of view, Kian Clarke, Seán Callan and Brandon Kavanagh are at Bray while Thomas Oluwa is at Galway Utd and Aaron Bolger is on loan at Longford Town from Cork City.

2019 saw the roles reversed as Shamrock Rovers took the spoils. Lyons and Byrne played in their second successive final while Jack Moylan and Thomas Considine are both currently at Wexford on loan from Bohs. Gavin Molloy is with Shelbourne, Brandon Bermingham is with Drogheda, Katlego Mashigo is on loan at Athlone from Waterford and Ross Tierney is a regular starter in the Bohemians midfield, while Gavin O'Brien was part of the 2021 matchday squad.

For their part, Rovers loaned Darragh Nugent to Longford Town for 2021 while Sinclair Armstrong joined Queen's Park Rangers in England, recently signing on loan with Torquay Utd and scoring on his debut.