First Team Squad


 

  Goalkeepers

Gerard Doherty

24/08/1984

Gerard DohertyHeadSmallDoherty began his career with youth stints at his hometown club, Derry City, and English outfit Derby County. After failing to break into the Derby first-team, he was signed in November 2001 by the Welsh Premier League team, The New Saints.

In six largely successful seasons at The Saints, Gerard won three league titles, one Welsh Cup, one League Cup, and one FAW Premier Cup, and played in six European ties, most notably against English sides Manchester City and Liverpool. Doherty performed particularly well in the two matches against Liverpool, winning plaudits from manager Rafael Benítez

Doherty returned to Ireland in January 2008, and won a Airtricity League First Division title with Derry City in 2010.

Gerard Doherty has represented N.Ireland at International Level.

Joseph Coll

02/02/1994

Joe CollHeadSmallJoseph Coll was recognised as a huge prospect for the future when Arsenal, Chelsea, Wolves, Newcastle, Spurs, Manchester City and Celtic showed interest, but Sir Alex Ferguson convinced him his future lay at Manchester United.

Joseph stayed there for 2 years before United offered him the opportunity to turn pro, but he decided that better opportunities to improve his career lay elsewhere.

On 31st January 2013, Joseph decided to accept an offer from Derry City FC and will hope to get his opportunity to impress not only visiting scouts, but the Candystripe faithful during his time here.

Joseph Coll has represented Rep. Of Ireland at U-17 and U-19 level.

 

  Defenders

Dermot McCaffrey

29/03/1986

Dermot McCaffreyHeadSmallOmagh native, Dermot McCaffrey, started his professional career in Scotland with Hibernian and had spells with Queen Of The South, Livingston, Falkirk and Arbroath before returning home to sign for Dungannon Swifts.

Having impressed at left back, he attracted the attentions of Derry City and signed with the League Of Ireland club on 18th February 2012.

Dermot has represented N.Ireland at U-21 level

 

Simon Madden

01/05/1988

Simon MaddenHeadSmallMadden joined the club prior to the beginning of the 2012 season, following his release from Dundalk FC.

The right-back began his professional career at Leeds United, before returning home to Shamrock Rovers in 2008. He returned to England for a brief spell at Darlington before Ian Foster brought him to Oriel Park in 2010.

At the start of the 2011 season, Madden was appointed captain at Dundalk – becoming one of the clubs youngest ever captains. He also went on to play every minute of every game for the Lilywhites, during that season.

Simon Madden has represented Rep. Of Ireland at U-21 level

 

Shane McEleney

31/01/1991

Shane McEleneyHeadSmallShane earned a regular first team spot during the 2010 season.  Despite spending most of his youth career as midfielder, Stephen Kenny converted the player to a centre half.

Shane is comfortable on the ball and was part of the sides which swept to the First Divison title in 2010 and the FAI Cup in 2012.

Shane has appeared at various underage levels up to U-21 for the Republic of Ireland, appearing at times with his brother Patrick.

Stewart Greacen

31/03/1982

Stewart GreacenHeadSmallStewart joined Derry City on free transfer prior to the 2011 season, having been released by Greenock Morton in December 2010.

Greacen has plyed his trade at a number of clubs in the Scottish League since he started his career as a junior at Glasgow Rangers.  Greacen spent time at Airdrie, Livingstone, Queen of the South and Forfar before joining Morton in 2003.  He played over 250 times for “The Ton” between 2003 and 2010, as was voted Player of the Year for the 2008-2009 season.

Greacan was on trial with Dundee United following his release but due to the transfer embargo in place there, opted to join the Candystripes.

 

Ryan McBride

15/12/1989

Ryan McBrideHeadSmallRyan has been promoted from the Reserve team, and is now a regular member of the first-team squad.

The central defender made his debut in a League Cup game vs UCD and was called up to the Airtricity League XI, for the Dublin Super Cup in July.

His performances during the season have earned him a two-year contract which will keep him on Foyleside until the end of the 2013 season at least.

 

  Midfielders

Barry Molloy

28/11/1983

Barry MolloyHeadSmallMolloy is another Derry native, although he learned his football at Derby County, winning the Young Player of the Year award there in 2002 before moving onto Drogheda United.

Molloy was one of Stephen Kenny’s first signings and he has become an integral part of the City setup.

In 2009, Molloy spent time on loan at Bristol Rovers in the hope of earning a contract.

However Molloy returned to Brandywell and played a critical role in ensuring the club’s return to the top flight after one season.

 

Ruaidhri Higgins

23/10/1984

Ruaidhri HigginsHeadSmallRuaidhri is a County Derry native and was originally snapped up by Stephen Kenny snapped up following his release by Coventry City.

Ruaidhri returned to the Brandywell at the start of the 2011 season, following a season at Dalymount Park with Bohemians.

 

Kevin Deery

06/121984

Kevin DeeryHeadSmallKevin broke into the team at right back under Kevin Mahon, but is now more commonly found on the right wing or in the midfield.

Deery was linked with a move to SPL side Hamilton at the end of the 2009 season, but signed on for the 2010 campaign.

Stephen Kenny appointed Deery captain for the 2010 season and he led the Candystripes to the First Division title. Kevin was also club captain when the club lifted the FAI Cup in 2012.

 

Barry McNamee

17/02/1992

Barry McNameeHeadSmallA Donegal native, Barry is the product of the club’s youth setup.  Barry and his brother Tony have both played U-19 and Ulster Senior League for the club.

Barry made his debut as a second half substitute against Lisburn Distillery in the opening 2012 Setanta Sports Cup fixture, and has gradually eased into the first team set up, impressing many with his calm play and eye for a pass.

Barry scored his first competitive goal for the Candystripes against Shamrock Rovers in Tallaght in October 2012 and has recently signed a two year deal with the club.

 

Patrick Kavanagh

29/12/1985

Patrick KavanaghHeadSmallThe former Birmingham City winger is an impressive player who despite his age could already be considered a league veteran due to his successful league campaigns with Shamrock Rovers, winning 2 league winners medals during his time there.

Patrick became Declan Devine’s first signing of the close season after losing Stephen McLaughlin to Nottingham Forest.

Patrick has represented Rep. Of Ireland at U-23 level

Thomas Crawley

21/09/1991

Thomas CrawleyHeadSmallConsidered by Declan Devine to have been the best left winger in the First Division during the 2012 season, he managed to capture Thomas Crawley’s signature after he came back from a trial spell at SPL outfit St. Johnstone.

Thomas hopes that his performances for Derry City this season could earn him the same fate as the previous four Derry City left wingers Paddy McCourt, Niall McGinn, James McClean and Stephen McLaughlin who all earned big transfers across the water.

Sean Houston

29/10/1989

Sean HoustonHeadSmallLetterkenny native Sean Houston, who began his career with Ulster Senior League side, Fanad United, earned a move back closer to home when signed a one year deal with the Candystripes in 2013.

Having had spells at League of Ireland sides Finn Harps, UCD and Bray Wanderers, he has impressed Declan Devine enough to earn a move to the current FAI Cup Champions.

Sean is an old fashioned ‘utility’ player, who favours midfield, but can also play in attack or defence.

  Forwards

Patrick McEleney

26/09/1992

Patrick McEleneyHeadSmallPatrick is a former Sunderland player who returned home to Ireland in 2010, and was quickly snapped up by Stephen Kenny.

The player was at the centre of a controversy in 2010, when Shelbourne questioned his eligibility in a crucial First Division match – as he had pulled out of playing for the Republic of Ireland’s Under-19s because of an ankle injury – however City were cleared by the FAI.

Marc Griffin

16/06/1991

Marc GriffenHeadSmallAustralian-born Marc Griffin was added to the Candystripes strikeforce in February 2013 after a lot of interest from all over the country for the free-agent.

Along with Michael Rafter, Griffin made up part of Dundalk’s strike force last year and proved his ability to find the back of the net on several occasions and has shown a talent for scoring the spectacular more often than the tap-ins.

Rory Patterson

16/07/1984

Rory PattersonHeadSmallRory is a Northern Ireland international, who was brought in to replace the previous season’s leading scorer Eamon Zayed.

The Strabane native started his career at Rochdale, before signing for FC United of Manchester where he scored 107 goals in 126 appearances.

He returned home in 2009 to sign for Coleraine, where his impressive goalscoring performances continued. Patterson joined Glentoran in the summer of 2010 however shortly after, it was announced that Patterson had joined Plymouth Argyle and that an “undisclosed fee” had been agreed with Glentoran despite him never playing for the East Belfast club.

Declan Devine then signed the player following his recent release from Plymouth Argyle and a short spell on loan with Linfield in the Irish League

Michael Rafter

19/06/1992

Michael RafterHeadSmallMichael Rafter was Declan Devine’s third new signing of the close season before 2013.

Along with Marc Griffin, Michael Rafter made up Dundalk FC’s strike force in the 2012 season. However, new Dundalk manager Stephen Kenny couldn’t hold on to the formidable partnership with interest coming in from all over the country for the pair.

Ryan Curran

13/10/1993

Ryan CurranHeadSmallRyan Curran was one of the fastest rising stars in the Derry City Reserve and U-19 squads over the past few seasons.

The son of former Derry City defender Paul Curran plays at the opposite side of the park as an out and out striker, and has proven that he can find the net at the highest level having already come off the bench to score for the Derry City first team last year.

Michael Duffy

28/07/1994

Michael DuffyHeadSmallMichael Duffy is another rising star from the Reserve & U-19 teams over the past few seasons with a reputation for scoring in almost every game he started in the Ulster Senior League last year, helping Derry City Reserves to lift the trophy.

Michael is already being highly tipped as the next Derry City player to follow Pat MCourt, Niall McGinn, James McClean, Stephen McLaughlin, and David McDaid to a big money move accross the water.