WHAT DERRY CITY MEANS TO ME... New friendships, new experiences, the DCFC way!

Claire McCarron

I started going to the matches in 2019 and I used to bring my camera with me and since then I haven’t stopped going to matches since.

I attended 2 home games in February 2020 and I had tickets bought to attend 2 upcoming home fixtures but due to the Covid-19 pandemic the games had stopped. So, like every other supporter, I was unable to go to games.

In July 2021 Derry City started introducing fans at a low capacity and I was able to start attending games again. (I managed to get a membership for the 2021 season). When I attended my 2nd match in the Brandywell shortly after they started to introduce fans myself and my friend Cara became a member of the Brandywell Pride Supporters Club, which was the best thing that I have ever done.

Since joining the BPSC I have met some lovely people who have welcomed us with great open arms. We do Player of the Month where we bring players up and present them with an award. I retained a season ticket for the 2022 season and it was amazing.

During this season I only managed to miss 2 home games during the course of the season which ain’t bad for a season ticket holder. I also managed to get a photograph taken with Wigan Athletic and Republic of Ireland star James McClean when we played Drogheda United back in June 2022.

As well as having my happy Friday nights and the “occasional” Monday night matches in the Brandywell, I have managed to support Derry City by going to away games in which I travelled with The Brandywell Pride bus down to Dundalk, Drogheda, Sligo and Inchicore. The craic we had on the bus on the way down and back was 90 and I was well- behaved (as always). Scaldy and Karen and other members made sure myself and Cara were well looked after and that we were happy and singing our wee hearts out.

I have travelled to Ballybofey on the services bus with Cara back in July and if we didn’t’ fry the drivers head with our carry on well I think there would have been something wrong there LOL as we came back and beat Finn Harps 2-1 having been 1-0 down at half time.

Last November will be the day that I will never ever forget as Derry City supporters travelled in their thousands to the FAI cup final in the Aviva Stadium and I was there proud as punch singing my heart out.

I was called into Radio Foyle the Friday before we went to the cup final and I had a score prediction that we were going to beat Shelbourne 4-0 and that the cup was ours. When the final whistle blew I couldn’t believe that my score prediction was correct and we were all going home happy with 4 goals in the bag and an addition to the club (the FAI cup).

I was then called back on the radio with Brian Dunleavy the day after to talk about the cup final and my score prediction. I then met the players and the man himself, the one and only Ruaidhri Higgins in the Blackbird and I managed to get my hands on the cup.

On 25th November 2022, the Brandywell Pride Supporters Club had their 25th Anniversary in the Oak and Ciaron Harkin, Michael Duffy, Mark Connolly and Jamie McGonagle came up to the Oakgrove Bar with the FAI Cup and everyone really enjoyed themselves.

Derry City means a lot to me as it enables me to get out of the house and enjoy my life and it allows me to switch off from the outside world. I am looking forward to receiving my 2023 season ticket and joining in on the banter and the singing and it is great to be part of the DCFC family.

“THERE’S ONLY ONE RUAIDHRI HIGGINS!”