Derry City- the 2026 story so far

Second place in the table last season, proven quality brought in to add to areas which were felt to need strengthening - in the attacking department entered the mercurial talents of James Clarke and Darragh Markey to assist Michael Duffy, the energy filled and goalscoring potential of Joshua Thomas to complement the powerfully built and aerially dominant Dipo Akinyemi and Liam Boyce.

At the back, Rob Slevin's versatility and proven League of Ireland standing brought a new sense of footballing ability to the backline, further reinforced by the brawn of the returning Paddy McClean and the arrival of the talented Barry Cotter- the Limerickman another well travelled and experienced defender. Thus, with the 2025 midseason arrivals of Jamie Stott and Brandon Fleming, a well stocked defensive cupboard for Tiernan Lynch to choose from.

A feat repeated in the midfield with Waterford's James Olayinka arriving alongside the much heralded return of James McClean - a career built on hard running and tenacity looking to be bookended with success at City. Once more, with the indefatigable Adam O'Reilly and the vast experience of Carl Winchester, Lynch was well resourced ahead of the season commencing.

While others, including the previously unheralded Henry Rylah, Kevin Dos Santos and reserve keeper Shea Callister also arrived on Foyleside, the above breakdown serves to highlight the strength in depth available to the coaching team at the outset of the season- proven title winners in this league and abroad, experienced League of Ireland players and depth in all positions.

That is, except in goal where Brian Maher - who kept Arlo Doherty without a league minute last year and barely missed a game since arriving in 2022- was without real competition. An early season injury to the Dubliner saw Callister thrust into the spotlight, debuting against Dundalk on Matchnight Two before Eddie Beach was parachuted in on loan from Kilmarnock for the next game- a defeat to Bohemians.

Thus, after three games City had used three different goalkeepers and achieved three different results (a win, draw and loss). None of the games were particularly fantastic- a come from behind victory against a Sligo Rovers side tipped to battle relegation, a last gasp draw against promoted Dundalk and a drab loss to Bohemians.

Nothing to panic about after three games and the hope that things would get better, the managerial team who oversaw unprecedented success at Larne would figure things out and the good ship Derry City would get wind in the sails and mount that title charge which its crew appear equipped for.

Fast forward to today and instead of heading for the high seas, there's still a sense of floating limp around the harbour, a lack of awareness of which crew to put out on deck and a stoicism that the wind will pick up and carry the team on their merry way.

There have been brief gusts (that second half display against Waterford) which have hinted at the potential but winless in the 5 games since- culminating in a defeat to second bottom Galway United - has left a large body of water between City and a prospective title challenge.

With a quarter of the season just gone, there's more than enough time to narrow the gap but sooner or later the sails need to catch the wind and start moving.