MARK CONNOLLY APPOINTED DERRY CITY DIRECTOR OF FOOTBALL

Derry City have appointed Mark Connolly as their new director of football following his retirement from playing. Connolly had left Derry City in January to join Coleraine, where he worked under former Candystripes manager Ruaidhri Higgins. The Clones-born defender began his professional career at Bolton and went on to represent Crawley Town, Kilmarnock, and Dundee United. He won the Scottish Championship with Dundee United in 2020 before joining Derry City in 2022 following a loan spell at Dundalk.

Connolly helped Derry City win the 2022 FAI Cup during his time at the Brandywell club. At Coleraine, he was part of the squad that won the Irish Cup for the first time since 2018. Higgins praised Connolly's professionalism, noting that his standards remained high even when his playing time reduced towards the end of his stint at the Showgrounds. Connolly stated he looks forward to working with manager Tiernan Lynch and the wider club to develop an environment in which players, staff, and the academy can thrive.

Derry City currently sit sixth in the League of Ireland Premier Division. The club host Bohemians on Friday at 19:45 BST in their next league fixture. That match will be available to watch on BBC iPlayer, the BBC Sport website, and the BBC Sport app. Connolly's appointment marks the beginning of a new off-field structure at the Brandywell club as they continue their season.