Championship

CANNING STRENGTHENS DARRAGH PARK PANEL

22 Jun 2021
football
© Brian Little/PressEye Matthew Buchanan is one of a number of new signings for Dergview
Recently appointed Dergview boss Tommy Canning has been busy strengthening his squad ahead of the new season.
 
Canning, who stepped into the role at the end of May, has so far brought Matthew Buchanan, Niall McGinley, Kieran Farren, Pat Loughery, Tom McDermott, Jamie Browne and Lee McLaughlin to Darragh Park.
 
Buchanan, 25, needs no introduction to the club after having previously spent five seasons in Castlederg before leaving for Ballinamallard United a year ago.
 
Canning was delighted to bring the defender back to the fold: "Everyone knows what Mattie brings to a team and every team needs one or two Mattie Buchanan's," he said.
 
"It was very simple regarding Mattie. I wanted him back at Dergview and he wanted to come back."
 
Midfielder McGinley, 20, also makes a return after a short spell at the club at the beginning of last season before departing for Finn Harps.
 
Farren, 20, was also formerly with Harps and can play in the centre of midfield but also at centre back or right back and trained with the club last season as they prepared for the Irish Cup as did Loughery, a left-sided defender.
 
23-year-old keeper McDermott is no stranger to the Irish League after making a number of first team appearances for Ballymena United whilst he was also on the books of Tottenham Hotspur as a youth.
 
Browne is another arrival from Finn Harps. The 20-year-old striker can play through the middle or off either side.
 
In addition to these new faces Canning has also agreed new terms with much of last season's squad, amongst them skipper Blaine Burns plus Andrew Sproule, Garth Falconer, Cathal Farren, Jonathan McKeown, Dale Maxwell, Adam Buchanan, Matthew Callaghan, Graham Crown and Stephen Curry.