Derry City – season preview 2025
March 3rd, 2025by Kieran Burke
This time last year, we had the glitz and the glamour of a certain Roddy Collins lighting up the Brandywell's media room, with promises of title triumphs and the good times coming back to Derry City those promises turned out to be as empty as the feeling in City fans' stomachs, as the whole Roddy experience turned sour within a matter months. Ahead of the new campaign, expectations are lower than ever for the Candystripes with Peter Hutton facing into the huge challenge of winning over a restless Brandywell faithful.
The decision makers at Derry City have taken a lot of stick for their decision to appoint Collins to the hot seat in 2025 and rightly so, with the league's most controversial character forking out huge amounts on wages for players who were clearly close to the end of their sell buy date.
Collins' exclusion of star striker Rory Patterson was the beginning of the end for the former Bohemians league winning manager, but despite the swift departure of Collins, Derry City have cut all ties with Patterson over the off-season in an attempt to reduce the wage bill, a decision met with sheer amazement by City followers.
Also farmed out of the club for similar reasons during the close season were experienced midfielders Barry Molloy and Danny Ventre, while back up goalkeeper Ciaran Gallagher has returned to Finn Harps, following an unsuccessful spell with Derry.
Despite being put on the transfer listed alongside Patterson, who eventually signed for Cockburn City in Australia, Shane McEleney remains a part of Peter Hutton's side and looks to be the stand out defender in this squad for 2025, making the initial call to transfer list him an even more mind-boggling one.
Looking at the positives however, the recent additions of former Sligo Rovers striker Anthony Elding and Northern Ireland under-21 midfielder Senan Clucas have brought an air of positivity to an otherwise pessimistic fan base ahead of the new season.
While Elding arrives at the club as a controversial figure due to his poor disciplinary record, he did score some big goals for Sligo Rovers, including an FAI Cup Final decider, so followers of the Candystripes will be hoping that is the sort of headline he is known for this year.
Given Clucas' experience at football league level in England with the likes of Preston North End and Bristol Rovers, the midfielder arrives at the Brandywell with huge expectations on his shoulders, despite his tender age of just 22.
Derry City has always been famed for its ability to produce top local talent and with the likes of Paddy McCourt, James McClean and Connor Salmon all plying their trades internationally in recent years, the hope for fresh talent coming through is always there.
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