Derry City Preview 2012

Last season: 3rd (Premier Division)

In: Simon Madden (Dundalk), Rory Patterson (Plymouth Argyle), Brian McGrory (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Stewart Greacen (Glentoran)
 

Out: Gareth McGlynn (Travelling in Australia), Ruairi Harkin (Coleraine), Emmet Friars (Dungannon Swifts), Daniel Lafferty (Burnley), Eamon Zayed (Persepolis)
 

Manager: Declan Devine
 

Stadium: The Brandywell

Like a number of teams this year, Derry City will be going into the 2012 season with a new manager at the helm but the Candystripes have plenty to be excited about.

Many will argue that Derry suffered a dip in form when James McClean departed the club for Sunderland midway through last season, but if his pre-season form has been anything to go by, Patrick McEleney may be the man to replace the rising Premiership star having stood out during a number of games so far. Their right wing will be equally if not more impressive as they managed to hold onto Stephen McLaughlin who made a big impression in his first season as a top flight player last time around.

The Candystripes have lost a number of key players since the end of the season such as Eamon Zayed, Daniel Lafferty and Gareth McGlynn, but they have also made a number of interesting acquisitions such as Rory Patterson, Brian McGrory and former Dundalk captain Simon Madden who will be seen as their replacements. Despite losing three important players, Declan Devine has also managed to convince the majority of the squad to agree new deals with the club, most notably Gerard Doherty, Mark Farren and Kevin Deery. There remains nice blend of youth and experience, similar to Stephen Kenny's two spells as manager of the club.

Unfortunately for the fans they will have no European adventure to look forward to this summer, but they may also see it as one less distraction as they can put more focus on domestic competitions. The EA Sports Cup in particular will be a competition where they will be deemed favourites after beating Cork City last season in the final at Turner’s Cross.

The league title may just be out of their reach again this season, but guaranteeing themselves European football and at least one cup at the end of year looks very realistic as Devine prepares for his first season as a manager after almost five years as assistant at The Brandywell.

ExtraTime.ie Prediction: 3rd