Season Preview: Derry City
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It has been a turblent pre-season period for Derry City, so the start of the new campaign can not come quick enough for the First Division favourites.
After it was discovered that The Candystripes were operating a dual contract system last year, they were thrown out of the Premier Division. That hurt and the blow from their hard fall has been tough to take.
Yet it gave the club a chance to regroup and refocus. Everything was reassessed and realigned from the board right through to the new kit. But there is still a sense of familiarity at the core of the club.
Manager Stephen Kenny is still in charge and he has convinced a number of last year’s squad to agree new terms. While most of the returning players would be considered good enough to play for the best teams in the top flight, they have opted to stay put at The Brandywell.
Amongst those forming the spine of the team are Gerard Doherty, Eddie McCallion, Kevin Deery, Barry Molloy and Mark Farren. If they can produce their best form over the course of the season then Derry should be able to live up to their billing as favourites.
Kenny has also made some interesting signings with former centre-back Mark McChrystal returning to the club, Emmet Friars arriving from Newry City and Stephen Parkhouse given a chance to revive his career beside the Foyle.
Vinny Sweeney has impressed during pre-season, while James McLean could have a big impact as he continues to develop into an exciting player. But it will be the trio of Deery, Molloy and Farren who should drive the club forward.
It won’t be easy for Derry to run away with the league as Shelbourne, Waterford United and possibly Cork City will all be in the mix for the automatic promotion spot, but they do have the perfect blend of experience and hunger in their squad.
Expect Kenny to remind everyone just why he was once considered the best manager in the Airtricity League as he sets his sights on bouncing straight back to the Premier Division.
Team: Derry City
Manager: Stephen Kenny
Players In: Mark McChrystal (Distillery), Patrick McEleney (Sunderland), Emmet Friars (Newry City), James Henry (Carrowmena) Mark Scoltock (Institute), Stephen Parkhouse (Sligo Rovers), Vinny Sweeney (Limavady United)
Players Out: Darren Quigley, Ger O’Brien (both Sporting Fingal), Peter Hutton (Cliftonville), Steven Gray, Gareth McGlynn, Ruaidhri Higgins (all Bohemians), Ciaran Martyn (Glentoran), Liam Kearney (Waterford United), Tam McManus (Ayr United), Sammy Morrow (Coleraine), Aaron Nash (Distillery), Clive Delaney, David Scullion, Thomas Stewart (Released)
One to Watch: Emmet Friars
Prediction: 1st
After it was discovered that The Candystripes were operating a dual contract system last year, they were thrown out of the Premier Division. That hurt and the blow from their hard fall has been tough to take.
Yet it gave the club a chance to regroup and refocus. Everything was reassessed and realigned from the board right through to the new kit. But there is still a sense of familiarity at the core of the club.
Manager Stephen Kenny is still in charge and he has convinced a number of last year’s squad to agree new terms. While most of the returning players would be considered good enough to play for the best teams in the top flight, they have opted to stay put at The Brandywell.
Amongst those forming the spine of the team are Gerard Doherty, Eddie McCallion, Kevin Deery, Barry Molloy and Mark Farren. If they can produce their best form over the course of the season then Derry should be able to live up to their billing as favourites.
Kenny has also made some interesting signings with former centre-back Mark McChrystal returning to the club, Emmet Friars arriving from Newry City and Stephen Parkhouse given a chance to revive his career beside the Foyle.
Vinny Sweeney has impressed during pre-season, while James McLean could have a big impact as he continues to develop into an exciting player. But it will be the trio of Deery, Molloy and Farren who should drive the club forward.
It won’t be easy for Derry to run away with the league as Shelbourne, Waterford United and possibly Cork City will all be in the mix for the automatic promotion spot, but they do have the perfect blend of experience and hunger in their squad.
Expect Kenny to remind everyone just why he was once considered the best manager in the Airtricity League as he sets his sights on bouncing straight back to the Premier Division.
Team: Derry City
Manager: Stephen Kenny
Players In: Mark McChrystal (Distillery), Patrick McEleney (Sunderland), Emmet Friars (Newry City), James Henry (Carrowmena) Mark Scoltock (Institute), Stephen Parkhouse (Sligo Rovers), Vinny Sweeney (Limavady United)
Players Out: Darren Quigley, Ger O’Brien (both Sporting Fingal), Peter Hutton (Cliftonville), Steven Gray, Gareth McGlynn, Ruaidhri Higgins (all Bohemians), Ciaran Martyn (Glentoran), Liam Kearney (Waterford United), Tam McManus (Ayr United), Sammy Morrow (Coleraine), Aaron Nash (Distillery), Clive Delaney, David Scullion, Thomas Stewart (Released)
One to Watch: Emmet Friars
Prediction: 1st
