New boss Devine wants to bring back Candystripes passion

DERRY CITY have confirmed the appointment of Declan Devine for a second spell as manager.

Devine takes over from Kenny Shiels who parted company with the Candystripes after a disappointing season where they finished third from bottom.

The former City player had worked as an assistant to Stephen Kenny before taking the job ahead of the 2012 campaign.

He duly led the club to FAI Cup success and they qualified for Europe in 2013 but he was shown the door at the end of that season – a move that divided opinion.

Devine was subsequently recruited by the IFA to work in their coaching department, and he was working closely with players in the northwestern region.

But he was tempted by a return to his old job and signed a two-year deal. He will be assisted by Marty McCann and Kevin Deery – the latter spent last season working as number two to Gerard Lyttle at Sligo Rovers before the duo were shown the door.

Devine has prioritised restoring pride to the jersey after a turbulent year peppered with stories of behind the scenes unrest. Shiels was also criticised for his recruitment with several pre-season captures departing abruptly.

“We need an identity, we need passion, we need players who are going to respect and honour what it means to play for Derry City,” said Devine who refused to rule out a move for Barry McNamee after his release from Cork City.

“Before we sign any player, we’ll make sure he fits our criteria as a football club. He must be determined, focused and hungry to play for Derry. “If he’s not, then they’re wasting their time.”

Elsewhere, an application by the Revenue Commissioners to wind up Limerick FC has been struck out at the High Court.

Revenue’s collector general had last month petitioned the court to have Munster Football Club Ltd, which trades under the name Limerick FC, wound up and a liquidator appointed arising out of an alleged failure to pay a demand for unpaid taxes including PAYE and PRSI.

The amount sought by revenue was not disclosed in open court.

The matter was briefly mentioned before Ms Justice Miriam O’Regan on Monday when Dermot Cahill Bl for the Collector General told the court the matter had been resolved and could be struck out.

There were no representations made on behalf of the club.

Limerick were recently relegated to the First Division following a play-off defeat to Finn Harps. Owner Pat O’Sullivan has spoken of the need to attract fresh investment.