THIS evening’s SSE Airtricity match between Derry City FC match at St Patrick’s Athletic has been postponed.
The match has been called off due to a waterlogged pitch at Richmond Park, Dublin.
It will be re-scheduled for a later date.
City had been hoping to secure their first win of the season this evening after a defeat in its first game and a 1-1 home drawn against North West rivals Finn Harps last Friday night.
Hockey World Cup silver medallist Megan Frazer at seminar in Foyle Arena
The ‘Raise Your Performance’ seminar offered local athletes the opportunity to expand their knowledge and tailor their approach to training and personal development by hearing from sports industry experts.
The programme, delivered by Derry City and Strabane District Council and the Donegal Sports Partnership and funded by the North West Regional Development Group in conjunction with the Executive Office and the Irish Government, aims to fortify the pathway for athletes from grassroots participation to elite level competition.
Sports Development Officer at Derry City and Strabane District Council, Keith Thompson, said the seminars were an ideal opportunity for athletes from all disciplines to learn more about how they can take their performance to the next level.
“Athletes from all sports are invited to attend these seminars to learn more about how they can raise their performance levels by making informed changes to their training and game day regimes,” he said.
“We are delighted to be hosting industry experts with a vast experience of elite level sport who will impart their knowledge on a wide range of topics including strength and conditioning, sports psychology, nutrition, mental health, anti-doping, core stability and recovery.
Former Ulster rugby star Gary Longwell at seminar in Foyle Arena
The North West Sports Pathways programme aims to drive the development of the local coaching workforce, increasing participation rates in grassroots sport and the creation of North West regional talent squads to support the development of local emerging talented athletes.
The focus of the project is the delivery of coach education and training opportunities, club based coaching, regional talent squads, sports camps and celebration / recognition events delivered across the Derry City and Strabane District Council and Donegal County Council areas.
The seminars take place from 9.30am – 12.30pm on Saturday mornings and admission is free.
The full list of seminars and speakers is: Seminar 1, Saturday February 22nd, Foyle Arena: Willie Moore (Strength and Conditioning), Megan Fazer (Motivational Speaker), Gary Longwell (Sports Psychology), Sharon Madigan (Sports Nutrition). Seminar 2, Saturday April 4th, Letterkenny IT: Shannon Lynch and Ciara McLaughlin (Mental Health and Wellbeing), Paul Fisher (Strength and Conditioning), Nollaig MacCarthy (Sports Psychology), Ronan Doherty (Sports Nutrition). Seminar 3, Saturday June 13th 2020, Foyle Arena: Wendy Henderson (Anti-Doping), Gary Wallace (Recovery), Kevin Gallagher (Core Stability), Gary Worgan (Sports Psychology)
For more information on the Sports Pathways Programme and registration information for the Raise Your Performance Seminars visit derrystrabaneleisure.com/nwsp
City’s Declan Devine pleased with his team’s efforts so far this season. Pic by NW Newspix (Joe Boland)
And that continues this Friday night, February 28, as Bohemians come to town for what has all the makings of a cracking game at the Ryan McBride Brandywell stadium (kick off 7.45 pm).
Declan Devine’s players needed a late equaliser against Finn Harps last Friday to help them to their first point of the season, but the Derry boss was in no doubt that there is plenty more to come from his team.
“We were unlucky to come away from Oriel Park with nothing and we battled well to get a point in atrocious conditions last weekend.
“We were really disappointed that Monday night’s game at St Pats was called off, although on the plus side it meant more recovery time for the players.
“We’re really pleased with the squad we have assembled this season.
“The players who came off the bench against Harps did very well so there is genuine competition for places here.
“Keith Long is doing an excellent job at Bohs and they will be up at the business end again this season.
“They have recruited well and will arrive here confident, however we can only concern ourselves with ourselves.
“I have total faith in this group of players.
“They have trained well again this week and I have no doubt that they will quickly benefit from playing together.
“Despite the awful weather and ‘live’ TV cameras for the Harps match we were delighted to get a full house last Friday night.
“I really hope our supporters turn up in numbers again this week as that will give the boys a lift.”
The Candystripes have no fresh injury worries for the visit of the ‘Gypsies’ and it would be no surprise if this was a tight affair.
There was precious little between the teams in their meetings in 2019 – three draws and a win for the Dubliners in their quartet of games last year.
St Pat’s Richmond Park ground in Dublin
The original fixture was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch at Inchicore.
Derry will now take on St. Pat’s on Monday, March 16.
Kick off at Richmond Park, Dublin will be at 7.45 pm.
The new fixture will be sandwiched between home games at the Brandywell against Sligo Rovers on the 13th and Shamrock Rovers on the March 20.
Derry secure first win of 2020 season 2-0 defeat of Bohs. Pic by Kevin Moore
Ally Gilchrist and Tim Nilsen went close for City before JJ Lunney fired just wide of the Candystripes woodwork.
Derry defender Danny Lupano hooked off the line and Stephen Mallon blasted into the top corner on 64 minutes for his first City goal.
Walter Figueira sealed the points in added time with a chipped finish.
Declan Devine’s team had only managed one point from their opening two games as they welcomed a Bohs team sitting in third place.
A cagey start was followed by a series of Derry half-chances – Gilchrist headed wide from a Jamie McDonagh free-kick while striker Nilsen shot over.
However, the best opening of the first half fell to Bohs just before the break when Lunney was played through by Daniel Mandroiu but he drilled just wide.
The Dubliners made a strong start to the second half and there was controversy when Lupano got back to clear off the line to deny Keith Ward.
Ward believed the ball had crossed the line and began celebrating but the officials came down on the side of the hosts.
It proved to be a pivotal moment for Derry were soon in front thanks to a fabulous finish from Mallon on his first start.
The winger beat three Bohs players before unleashing a powerful shot beyond keeper Stephen McGuinness.
Bohs failed to produce a concerted fightback but after threating in added time Derry burst upfield on the counter-attack and Adam Liddle picked out fellow substitute Figueira, who calmly dinked the ball over McGuinness and into the net.
Derry City: Peter Cherrie, Colm Horgan, Eoin Toal, Danny Lupano, Ally Gilchrist (Walter Figueira 49); Conor McCormack, Conor Clifford (Ciaron Harkin 62), Jack Malone; Jamie McDonagh, Tim Nilsen (Adam Liddle 69), Stephen Mallon.
Bohemians: Stephen McGuinness, Michael Barker, Dan Casey, Rob Cornwall, Anthony Breslin; Keith Ward (Luke Wade-Slater 84), JJ Lunney, Keith Buckey, Kris Twardek (Daniel Grant 68); Daniel Mandroiu; Glen McAley (Andre Wright 76).
Referee: Derek Tomney (Dublin)
CORK 3-13 DERRY 3-11
THIS Division 3 encounter game went to the home side despite a late Derry rally which meant Cork had to sweat up until the final whistle.
Backed by a stiff wind, Cork attacked the Blackrock End in the first half. Derry dropped back in numbers from the off, defending in depth.
Luke Connolly (free) opened Cork’s account on nine minutes and added another two minutes later. John O’Rourke got Cork’s third after a good offensive mark. Shane McGuigan got Derry’s first with a close-in free: 0-3 to 0-1 on 17 minutes.
Cork’s Sean Powter somehow overran a good goal chance, but Derry’s keeper Odhran Lynch erred with his relieving clearance, and Damien Gore found the net.
When Gore added a point soon afterwards, it was 1-4 to 0-1 on 20 minutes, but Powter needed to take a shot off the line from Derry’s Danny Tallon on 22 minutes: Odhran Lynch pointed the resulting 45 and Emmet Bradley hit a good point from the kick-out – 1-4 to 0-3.
Sub Cathail O’Mahony, on for the injured Connolly, had a good Cork point on 32 minutes. Carius McWilliams late free made it 1-5 to 0-4 at the break, but a melee broke out at the short whistle involving most of the players before they made the dressing-rooms.
On the resumption, Cork almost had a goal from Brian Hartnett, but Padraig McGrogan took the ball off the line: O’Mahony added a free soon afterwards and Padraig Cassidy responded in kind.
O’Mahony and O’Rourke added Cork points, then Powter cut through to place O’Rourke for a close-in goal: 2-8 to 0-5 on 45 minutes and a long way back for Derry.
Cork kept Derry at arm’s length for the rest of the game, though Niall Loughlin’s first-time finish to the net gave the visitors hope, Cork swept downfield for another O’Rourke goal: 3-11 to 1-8.
Emmett Bradley and sub Patrick Kearney hit late goals for Derry, making injury-time nervy for Cork, particularly when Ian Maguire was black-carded, but they held out.
Scorers for Cork: J. O’Rourke (2-2); D. Gore (1 free)(1-3); C. O’Mahony (2 frees)(0-4); L. Connolly (1 free)(0-2); E. McSweeney, M. Hurley (0-1).
Scorers for Derry: S. McGuigan (frees)(0-6); N. Loughlin (1 free)(1-1), E. Bradley (1-1); P. Kearney (1-0); C. McWilliams (free), O. Lynch (45), P. Cassidy (0-1 each)
CORK: A. Casey, T. Clancy (Fermoy), M. Shanley, P. Ring, L. O’Donovan, S. Powter, M. Taylor, I. Maguire (c), C. O’Hanlon, S. White, J. O’Rourke, B. Hartnett, P. Kerrigan, L. Connolly, D. Gore.
Subs: C. O’Mahony for Connolly (inj., 25); K. O’Donovan for L. O’Donovan (35); E. McSweeney for Hartnett (45); M. Hurley for Kerrigan (64); J. Loughrey for Powter (65).
DERRY: O. Lynch, P. McGrogan, B. Rodgers, C. McWilliams, S. Downey, C. McKaigue, N. Keenan, C. McFaul, P. Cassidy, E. Bradley, N. Loughlin, D. Tallon, B. Heron, S. McGuigan, N. Toner.
Subs: L. McGoldrick and P. Kearney for Cassidy and Toner (43); C. Doherty for Tallon (58); D. Cassidy for Herron (62).
Referee: F. Kelly (Longford).
DERRY City FC Women have made two new signings ahead of the start of the new season.
Tara O’Connor has been lighting up the Donegal Women’s Super League and recently bagged herself a hat-trick to put College team Letterkenny Institute of Technology through to the semi-finals of the O’Reagan Cup.
The Malin Head native was most recently with Donegal side Culdaff Football Club.
She signs on with City for the 2020 Women’s Danske Bank Premiership.
Clare Friel guested for Derry City in Foyle Cup Games back in 2017.
Since then, she has added a Donegal Women’s Super League Winners medal to her name.
The 18-year-old was most recently with Donegal side, Bonagee United.
She too signs on with City for the new season.
Representatives of the Ulster Rugby Senior Women’s Squad will be among several hundred female players from rugby clubs across the province who will take part in a celebration of the game at Judges Road this Sunday 8th March.
The Festival of Women and Girls’ Rugby is hosted by the North West Sporting Pathways programme, funded by the North West Regional Development Group in conjunction with and supported by The Executive Office and the Irish Government and aims to strengthen the athletic pathways from grassroots participation to talent across the region.
The event will feature open training sessions and a blitz style competition and represents the culmination of months of work to develop a women and girls’ rugby programme in the North West region of Ulster.
Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Councillor Michaela Boyle, will attend Sunday’s event:
“Thank you to City of Derry Rugby Club for hosting this event which is part of the exciting project to develop a rugby programme for women and girls in this region by the North West Sporting Pathways programme.
“As a Council we have committed through the Strategic Growth Plan to help build the capacity of our local sporting and recreational clubs to become more sustainable and encourage higher levels of participation and proficiency in sport.
“This initiative is also in keeping with our work to deliver a sports and physical activities programme to promote greater activity among women and girls.”
Executive Junior Minister Declan Kearney MLA will also attend the event: “I am looking forward to attending the Festival of Women and Girls’ Rugby,” he said.
“The event will showcase all that’s good about the women’s game – the athletic ability and enthusiasm of young players from across the region through to the seasoned skills of the members of the Ulster Rugby Senior Women’s Squad.
“Sports such as rugby play a vital role in the health and wellbeing of children, young people and adults across the North and I am delighted The Executive Office is playing its part in supporting such a fantastic initiative through the North West Sporting Pathways Programme.”
Sports Coordinator at Derry City and Strabane District Council Keith Thompson added:
“The Women and Girls’ Festival of Rugby will see girls from U12 up to senior women’s level come together for a celebration and will showcase the player pathway available to players in the region.
“We are expecting over 400 youths to take part in U12, U14, U16 and U18 age groups so it should be a memorable celebration of the women’s game,” he added.
Ulster Rugby CEO, Jonny Petrie added: “The North West Sporting Pathways Programme event on March 8th is set to showcase talent in Women’s rugby in the local area and also to provide a platform to increase visibility and encourage participation across the province.
“With a commitment to growing the game of rugby in Ulster, including the Women and Girls’ game, we are looking forward to supporting this event organised by Derry City and Strabane District Council and the Donegal Sports Partnership.
“It’s encouraging to see that we are all aligned in our investment in talent and the future of the game through activity such as this celebration festival – and I would like to encourage as many people as possible to attend, as it’s set to be a great event.”
Youths from rugby clubs across the province will be invited to watch an element of the open training session, before breaking off into their teams to participate in an underage blitz competition.
Guests are invited to watch the open training sessions along with the youths before joining the Ulster Rugby U18 girls’ squad for lunch and speeches.
Following lunch, players and guests will be invited to watch the underage blitz competition and identify the Ulster Rugby stars of the future.
City’s Declan Devine says Waterford pose a danger
The team set off early on Thursday morning as they begin the long journey to The Blues ahead of Friday night’s game at the Regional Sports Centre (kick off 7.45 pm)
Declan Devine’s side will be hoping to build on an impressive 2-0 win at home to Bohs last time out, but the manager is aware of the threat posed by Alan Reynolds’ team this weekend.
“He certainly knows what he’s doing and Waterford have recruited really well ahead of the new season, including a couple of players we had been looking at ourselves.
“Brian Murphy is one of the best keepers in the league and gives them a very solid look at the back, so we know it will be a difficult night.
“I keep saying though that we have a really good squad ourselves.
“The boys were impressive against Bohs and we’ll be looking for more of the same on Friday.”
The Derry boss was aware however that his side had got themselves into a winning position in both their games at this venue last year, but failed to capitalise each time.
“We didn’t see it out in one game, falling to an equaliser from the last kick of the match and we conceded a silly goal in the other having worked hard to get the lead. It’s something we need to learn from.”
City look set to be without Ciaran Coll for the second game in a row while Devine will make a decision on Gerardo Bruna nearer to kick-off.
The Argentinian’s wife had a baby this week and he was given time off to spend with the family.
SDLP councillor John Boyle
The Councillor for the Moor said: “This approval is fantastic news for the local community and surrounding areas.
“It is great to see Council’s Strategic Growth Plan bearing fruit for the benefit of health and well-being within our communities.
“This project will replace existing pitches and includes a brand new sports centre and an essential changing pavilion.
“This will be positive news for our local sports teams who have awaited this redevelopment for quite some time.
“In an area historically deprived of investment, the provision of these state of the art facilities has been a long time coming but I’m pleased that their approval has now been granted.
“I have no doubt this investment and crucial regeneration of the Brandywell sports ground will have far-reaching benefits for the surrounding area, the overall health and well-being of the local community and the promotion of sport.
“I look forward to seeing the completion of this vital project,” added the former Mayor of Derry and Strabane.
City boss Decland Devine disappointed with team’s poor performance
The Blues picked up their first home victory of the season thanks to Shane Griffin’s gorgeous last-gasp strike.
But there was little to comfort Derry City manager Declan Devine who reflected on his side’s performance at the Regional Sports Centre.
Instead of making the long journey back to Derry with a point, the Candystripes left empty handed.
Said Devine: “We were poor, poor. We didn’t perform to the levels we are capable of.
“I will have a look at and reflect on the game but that is not the type of performance we are about.
“We gave away a goal with the last kick of the first half and the last kick of the second half.
“Our game management was poor and our overall performance on the night could have been better. I am disappointed in the performance but ultimately disappointed with the result.”
Graham Cummins – one of two changes alongside John Martin – replaced the suspended Andre Burley at the heart of the Blues defence while Declan Devine made three changes from the starting 11 who defeated the Gypsies in their last match, with former Blue Walter Figueira among the returning faces.
Danny Lupano blocked two early shots from the lively Ali Coote and Akin Odimayo as Alan Reynolds’ men started on the front foot, although it was Derry who came closest in the opening half-hour.
Ciaron Harkin and Steven Mallon linked up well before the ball fround Figueira in the box and the nippy forward swiveled beautifully while shifting the ball onto his left foot and blazing across the goal.
Waterford captain Michael O’Connor retaliated with a low drive at Peter Cherrie minutes later but it was the visitors took the lead in the 32nd minute.
Stephan Mallon gave City the lead against Waterford
The half ended level with a thunderous Bone strike from 25 yards out – the holding midfielder driving a left-footed shot beyond a forest of bodies in the box and into the top corner after Derry failed to clear a corner.
Michael O’Connor was taken down on the edge of the box after the restart following neat interplay between Odimayo and Coote and the striker’s namesake Kevin curled the resulting free towards the corner of the net, only to be pushed wide by the Derry goalkeeper.
Both sides were enjoying spells pinning back the opposition and Eoin Toal almost nodded the Candystripes ahead when he got on the end of Mallon’s floating free from the right wing.
The O’Connors combined to almost give Waterford the lead in the 79th minute but Michael, leaping high into the crisp air, couldn’t steer his header the right side of the post.
It appeared that neither side would nestle the net in the closing stages as Cherrie stopped an injury time effort from the impressive Odimayo.
But Griffin, who came on with 15 minutes to go, unleashed a wonderfully arcing shot deep into injury time.
It capped an excellent night for the Blues but it was a disappointing night for City which leaves the Candystripes fourth from bottom with four points from four games.
Next up for City is a must-win match next Friday night at the Brandywell against Sligo Rovers who prop up the League of Ireland table on just three points.
Waterford: Murphy, Wilson, Cummins, McCourt, K O’Connor; Odimayo, Bone; Coote (Longbottom, 74), Martin (Griffin, 74), Smith; M O’Connor.
Derry City: Cherrie, Horgan, Toal, Lupano, McChrystal; McCormack, Harkin; McDonagh (Clifford, 72), Figueira (Malone, 62), Mallon; Nilsen (Liddle, 68).
Referee: Sean Grant.
CITY of Derry Golf Club has a new Lday’s Captain.
Outgoing Captain Geraldine Crossan is pictured congratulating the new 2020 Captain Máire McReynolds.
We wish Maire all the best for 2020!
City’s Declan Devine says his side will need to be on top form to beat Sligo
He is the only absentee from the side as The Candystripes face a busy week ahead.
Declan Devine’s men head to Inchicore for a rearranged fixture on Monday evening before the visit of Shamrock Rovers next weekend.
The Candystripes currently lie in seventh place in the league with four points from four matches while Sligo prop up the league with no points from their four opening games.
City picked up three wins and a draw from their four league games against Sligo in 2019, but Devine insists the visitors will make things tough here.
“They haven’t carried much luck so far this season and were unfortunate to lose by the odd goal in five against Shamrock Rovers on Saturday”, he told the club’s website.
“Liam Buckley’s sides like to get the ball down and play, so the Brandywell will suit them.
“We will definitely have to be on our game if we want to get three points, that’s for sure.”
The home side will be desperate to bounce back from their 94th minute defeat in Waterford last Friday.
Post match Devine described his team’s performance as “poor”.
But the gaffer insists they’ve already put that behind them.
“It’s always a blow to lose in those circumstances and especially to a goal like that, but we’ve moved on quickly.
“The boys had a spring in their step again in training this week and I have absolute faith in this squad.
“We want to make the Brandywell a really difficult place to come for visiting teams and this is a chance for the players to show what we’re about.”
Devine confirmed that defender Ally Gilchrist has been cleared to play after concussion ruled him out of the Waterford trip.
Mark McChrystal did an excellent job on the left of defence at the RSC so Gilchrist’s return will give his manager options, despite Coll’s continued absence.
City will also be boosted by the return of midfielder Gerardo Bruna to the squad for Friday- the Argentine given a few days paternity leave last weekend.
Kick off at the Brandywell is 7.45 pm.
HUNDREDS of players took part in a celebration of women’s rugby hosted by the North West Sporting Pathways programme at Judges Road at the weekend.
The Festival of Women and Girls’ Rugby was funded by the North West Regional Development Group in conjunction with and supported by The Executive Office and the Irish Government and aimed to strengthen the athletic pathways from grassroots participation to talent across the region.
The event featured open training sessions and a blitz style competition and was the culmination of months of work to develop a women and girls’ rugby programme in the North West region of Ulster.
Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Councillor Michaela Boyle, attended Sunday’s event:
“Congratulations to the North West Sporting Pathways programme and City of Derry Rugby Club for hosting this event which is part of the exciting project to develop a rugby programme for women and girls in this region,” she said.
“As a Council we have committed through the Strategic Growth Plan to help build the capacity of our local sporting and recreational clubs to become more sustainable and encourage higher levels of participation and proficiency in sport.
“This initiative is also in keeping with our work to deliver a sports and physical activities programme to promote greater activity among women and girls.”
Vice Chair of the NWRDG, Councillor Mary Durkan added: “On behalf of the North West Regional Development Group I would like to thank everyone involved in this event which was a brilliant celebration of women and girls’ rugby and showcased the player pathway available in the North West Region.
“The NWRDG are proud to help fund this cross border initiative which can help encourage higher levels of participation and proficiency in sport and promotes greater activity among women and girls.
“It was pleasing to see so many players taking part today, particularly young players and the future of the sport in the North West certainly looks bright.”
Four clubs are currently participating in the North West Sporting Pathways programme including City of Derry Rugby Club, Strabane Rugby Club, Letterkenny Rugby Club, Inishowen Rugby Club.
Each club has been delivering weekly training sessions in their club setting for female players.
The clubs then come together on a monthly basis to form a North West regional talent squad.
The North West regional talent squad sessions are hosted by Ulster Rugby coaching staff and have a progression pathway to the senior Ulster Rugby ladies team.
DERRY City FC has decided to postpone its scheduled meeting with Sligo Rovers at Brandywell Stadium on Friday night.
It came after Taoiseach Leo Varadkar announced today in the USA that only mass gatherings of over 100 people indoors or 500 people outdoor should go ahead.
Derry City were reluctant to play the Rovers match behind closed doors.
There has been no word as yet as to what the Football Association of Ireland will do after the Taoiseach’s announcement.
The FAI said in a statement earlier: “We will make an announcement on plans for all footballing activities under its jurisdiction after a meeting with Government, Department of Health officials and other national sporting bodies this afternoon.”
THE Football Association of Ireland has announced the cessation of all football under its jurisdiction until March 29 inclusive.
It comes into immediate effect following directives from the Irish Government, the HSC and UEFA.
The decision has been taken in light of the growing threat posed by the COVID-19 outbreak and in the best interests of players, coaches, volunteers, supporters and staff. This decision will be monitored on an ongoing basis.
The FAI again met with representatives from the National League Executive Committee and the Professional Footballer’s Association of Ireland today, and continues to work with both bodies to help clubs and players through this difficult time.
This includes postponing Derry City’s upcoming games against Sligo Rovers (13th March), St. Patrick’s Athletic (16th March), Shamrock Rovers (20th March) and Shelbourne (27th March).
The FAI statement in full: “We made this decision after a meeting in Dublin today with Government, the Department of Health and stakeholders from other national sporting bodies.
“The decision has been taken in light of the growing threat posed by the COVID-19 outbreak and in the best interests of our players, coaches, volunteers, supporters and staff. This decision will be monitored on an ongoing basis.
“The FAI again met with representatives from the National League Executive Committee and the Professional Footballer’s Association of Ireland today, and continues to work with both bodies to help our clubs and players through this difficult time.
“The FAI remains in communication with the Department of Health and UEFA on COVID-19 and will continue to follow all government guidelines.”
SDLP Foyle MLA Mark H Durkan
In conjunction with Sport NI and Sports Forum, the Department for Communities will release £2.4 million funding in grants and will launch an emergency financial relief programme in April to ensure the continuation of grassroots clubs.
Said the Foyle MLA: “This funding package is good news for clubs throughout the sport sector considering that up until today, the future of these organisations had faced uncertainty.
“Our local sports clubs have borne the brunt of this pandemic- with all sporting activities and games cancelled for the foreseeable.
“This has obviously placed organisations in immediate financial difficulty with no means to garner revenue.
“It is important to recognise the invaluable role the sporting sector plays within our society, not just in regards to people’s general physical and mental health but the inclusive community spirit and sense of belonging these clubs provide for all ages.
“I am pleased that support is now available to see them through this difficult and uncertain period.
“I hope the financial package announced today will be enough to protect this vital sector both in the short and long term.”
Mr Durkan added: “I am not alone when I say, once we come out the other side of this, the selflessness and support demonstrated by clubs and their members during this crisis will not soon be forgotten; but rather I hope it will be reciprocated.
“I look forward to seeing games played once more on local sporting grounds, stands packed and supporters rooting from the sidelines for teams at every level.”
THE BOARD of directors at Derry City Football Club have today issued a statement to fans about how the club is operatin while the season is on hold over the Coronavirus outbreak.
The board is hopeful the SSE Airtricity leaue season will restart in the “middle of June”.
But that will depend on how the well the country can reduce the spread of COVID-19 and prevent an escalation in deaths.
The statement says: “The Derry City Board has been briefed by its management team that the playing staff of the Club are all fit and well.
“There is regular contact between the management and players and a personalised fitness programme has been supplied to individuals.
“We are all conscious that it is important to continue to follow guidelines as outlined by the health authorities.
“It is hoped that football will kick off again by the middle of June and, if that were to be the case, it will be a great boost to both the players and the fans.
“Obviously it is not just the domestic league that has been affected by the pandemic; European football has also been interrupted.
“Thankfully, Derry City will be in the hat for the Europa League qualifiers and the draw for that is scheduled to take place in the middle of June. That gives the players and the fans much to look forward to.
“The Board is also pleased that the new home shirt is now available to supporters.
“Purchasing the new jersey is a way of supporting the Club, especially in this unique season. It is available to buy online and is on sale as well in Harkin’s shop in the Brandywell. Other Club merchandise is also available from these outlets.
“The Board would also like to take the opportunity to acknowledge and thank Chairman, Philip O Doherty, for his enormous financial support to the Club.
“That support has always been important but because there is presently no income to the Club while wages and expenses continue as normal, that support has been essential.
“Appreciation was also expressed for the continuing efforts of those who organise the monthly draw and club lotto. Both are important contributions to the finances of the Club and more especially in present circumstances.
“We would also like to highlight the continuing support and loyalty of the Club’s sponsors.
“The FAI has not yet decided if and how the number of matches will be truncated once the season has been relaunched. Those decisions will be subject to guidance issued by the Irish Government.
“Clarity on how many, if any, home games that will not take place will not become clear until the end of the season.
“The Board decided that if consideration had to be given to compensating season ticket holders, it would be under the
following guidelines and preferences.
a) acknowledging and thanking supporters who see their season ticket as an ongoing support to the Club.
b) Issuing of vouchers which can be redeemed in the Club’s shop.
c) Cash refunds determined by the number of cancelled home games.
“The Board would like to wish both staff and supporters well in the coming weeks and we look forward to the return of football to the Brandywell.”
Mayor Michaela Boyle
The Sports Hardship Fund will be administered by Sport NI, and grants of up to £2,000 are now available to assist with costs incurred from April 1.
The grants will cover essential costs to maintain facilities including rent/ leasing costs, utility costs, essential ground maintenance and insurance.
Urging local clubs to find out if they are eligible, Mayor Boyle said the support would be warmly welcomed.
“This is fantastic news for local clubs who have been hard hit by the loss of critical income to sustain facilities at this time,” she declared.
“These clubs not only have a valued role in local communities for their contribution to promoting health and wellbeing, since this health emergency began many have rallied to support community resilience efforts.
“They have been helping with food delivery, volunteering to assist some of our most vulnerable citizens and generally using their influence by motivating and encouraging young people and members to follow the guidance around social distancing and staying at home.
“We want to ensure the long-term future of all our sporting organisations at this difficult time, so I would ask all clubs to please find out if they are eligible for this aid.”
The grants are open to sports clubs and sporting organisations from the voluntary and community sector, which are unable to receive support from other Government Covid-19 Mitigation Funds.
The organisations eligible include Governing Bodies of Sport, local sports clubs forced to close at short notice but who are facing ongoing costs around rent or lease costs, sports facility maintenance and utility bills; community and voluntary sector organisations and charities who deliver or enable sport and/or physical recreation.
For more information about the Hardship Fund please visit http://www.sportni.net/funding/our-funding-programmes/sports-hardship-fund
Thomas Burke who sadly passed away last Thursday
Thomas was well known by everyone in the local football community, including both players and management at the club.
Requiem Mass was held for Thomas earlier today at St Mary’s Church, Creggan which was streamed live because of the current Coronavirus restrictions.
Derry City manager Declan Devine spoke for everyone at the Brandywell club this weekend when he said: “We are all devastated at the sudden death of Thomas.
“He was an incredible human being and one of the most genuine people I have ever worked with.
“Thomas was a leading figure at Trojans FC but his loss will be sorely felt by the entire football community here.
“Our sincerest sympathies to Thomas’s wife Bronagh, his children Adam and Aoife and the entire family circle.
“May his gentle soul Rest in Peace.”
