Barry Molloy.
Former Derry City favourite James McClean will lead a star-studded 11 out against a Barry Molloy XI for the Candystripes midfielder’s testimonial game at Brandywell this afternoon (kick-off 3.00pm).
McClean, now with SkyBet Championship side Wigan Athletic and a regular in the Republic of Ireland senior side, will be joined a number of stars now plying their trade “across the water,” including Shane Duffy (Everton), Shane Ferguson (Newcastle United) and Danny Lafferty (Burnley).
Also appearing will be former former Wigan Athletic, Bolton Wanderers and Burnley manager, Owen Coyle.
Top Scottish comedian Kevin Bridges and Danny O’Reilly, lead singer from Irish band The Coronas, will also be “pulling on their boots.”
Molloy’s XI, who be managed by ex-City boss Declan Devine, will include a host of ex-Derry City stars including former skipper Kevin Deery, Darren Kelly, Ciaran Martyn and Gary Beckett.
James McClean.
Half of today’s gate receipts are going to the Foyle Hospice and big-hearted McClean has vowed to match that total as he “wants to give something back” to the local charity who cared for his late grandmother during her battle with cancer.
Tickets for this afternoon’s match are priced at £10 and £5 for under-16s and O.A.Ps and can be purchased at the gate.
Following the match, fans will have the opportunity to win sporting memorabilia, including a signed Celtic jersey and prizes donated by Ireland legend Paul McGrath, at an event in the Tower Hotel at 9.00pm.
Owen Coyle
Barry Molloy XI: Patrick Jennings, Emmet Friars, Aaron Callaghan, Ryan McBride, Eddie McCallion, Stephen O’Flynn, Ciaran Martyn, Barry Molloy, Ruadhri Higgins, Gary Beckett, Kevin McHugh
James McClean XI: Eugene Ferry, Danny Lafferty, Mark McChrystal, Shane Duffy, Danny O’Reilly (The Coronas), Stephen McLaughlin, Ruairi Harkin, James McClean, Owen Morrison, Davy McDaid, Owen Coyle.
A former captain of his home town club, Molloy (30) played locally for Trojans before joining Derby County in 1999 where he spent four years, winning the Young Player of the Year Award in 2002.
Kevin Bridges.
In 2003 he returned to Ireland on loan, signing for Drogheda United in late August, where he made 16 league appearances over the final months of the 2003 season.
In 2004, he signed a permanent deal at Drogheda and made a further 24 league appearances, scoring three times.
He moved on at the end of the season, signing for Stephen Kenny at Derry City at the start of the 2005 season.
Since then, he has helped the Candystripes win five League Cups and the FAI Cup in 2006 and 2012.
He went on trial at Bristol Rovers at the end of the 2009 season but he returned home to continue playing with a reconstituted Derry City in the First Division helping he Brandywell club win the title and promotion back to the Premiership.
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