Brandywell to get makeover

Derry City have committed themselves to assembling some €18 million for the redevelopment of the Brandywell over the next six…

Derry City have committed themselves to assembling some €18 million for the redevelopment of the Brandywell over the next six months after a deal with Derry City Council allowing the club to buy the 13.5-acre site for £1 sterling received approval.

The Irish and British governments have promised to help fund the project, and the FAI are also likely to provide grant aid.

A significant part of the plan, however, involves the commercial development of a portion of the site, and the German retail chain Lidl are lined up to become the anchor tenant.

When the money is in place City officials expect to embark on the complete reconstruction of their stadium, which, they hope, could be ready in time for the start of the 2009 season.

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The club hope to generate substantial funds from various ancillary developments, while selling the site will save the council around €370,000 annually in maintenance costs.

City are in Dublin this evening to play Bohemians but manager John Robertson goes into the game keenly aware his players face a gruelling build-up to Wednesday's second leg Champions League qualifier against Pyunik of Armenia.

Seán Hargan and Pat McCourt are suspended for the Dalymount game, which is likely to allow Killian Brennan to return to the side at left back and Kevin Deery in midfield. Darren Kelly and Kevin McHugh could also start if the manager decides to rest Peter Hutton and Mark Farren.

Bohemians are still without Jason McGuinness and Harpal Singh. Manager Seán Connor has, however, wrapped up the signing of Chris Turner - whom he describes as the "best young midfielder in the country" - from Sligo Rovers, though he too will be sidelined for at least another couple of weeks.

The Dublin side will play Wolves in a friendly at Dalymount on Sunday afternoon when Connor will look at the former Arsenal and Falkirk midfielder Stephen O'Donnell as well as Ryan McCann and Dean Richardson (both of whom have been at Celtic) and Michael McGinlay.

In this evening's other game, UCD travel to Longford without Pat McWalter or Paul Byrne, while Shane Fitzgerald is rated as very doubtful and Conan Byrne less so. Paul Crowley, however, returns from suspension.

Longford's problems have deepened further, Daire Doyle, Mark Rutherford and Ian Ryan all joining Kevin Doherty on the injury list.

Roy O'Donovan is unlikely to leave Cork City for England until next week as the Irish club seek to maximise the value of the deals being offered.

Fulham, however, remain on course to sign the striker.

The 21-year-old may have played his last game for Cork as he is likely to miss tomorrow's game against Drogheda because of a hamstring problem.

Liam Kearney is a doubt with an ankle injury.

Brian O'Callaghan is on the way back but is not yet fit enough to play. Darragh Ryan is expected to start on the bench again, and Billy Woods retains his place at left back.

Emmet Malone

Emmet Malone

Emmet Malone is Work Correspondent at The Irish Times