Before bowing out of the UEFA Cup in the first round of the competition with a respectable 2-0 defeat away in Paris, Stephen Kenny’s charges had first eliminated IFK Göteborg of Sweden, and then defeated Scottish cup finalists Gretna in two exhilarating ties.
Some ten years prior to their meeting with Derry, Gothenburg had humbled a mighty AC Milan side that had included superstars including Paolo Maldini, Alessandro Costacurta, Marcel Dessailly and Zvonimir Boban, by beating the Rossoneri 2-1 on their home turf at the Ullevi stadium.
Fast forward to July 13, 2006 and up popped Sean Hargan to head the Candystripes into a 0-1 lead in their UEFA Cup First Qualifying round tie.
Back at the Brandywell, a Stephen O'Flynn penalty finished the job, setting up a trip to Fir Park to take on Gretna.
On August 10, 2006, ‘City’ went 0-1 down in Motherwell before Darren Kelly headed an equaliser before half time.
There followed one of the most remarkable halves of football ever witnessed as four wonder goals – a brace each from Kevin Deery and Ciarán Martyn – sent Derry’s travelling support into dreamland.
After the 1-5 victory in Scotland progression to a glamour play-off against PSG was all but certain.
This was duly sealed by the late, great Mark Farren and Ken Oman whose goals secured a 2-2 draw at home on August 24.
Derry welcomed PSG on September 14, holding the Ligue 1 side 0-0 at the Brandywell and were unlucky not to score when a thunderous Killian Brennan strike hit the woodwork. Striker Kevin McHugh was denied what should have been given as a penalty when he was fouled inside the box.
No matter. It was off to Paris in the early autumn. Ultimately ‘City’ were beaten 2-0 and denied a place in the group stages. But the scenes and atmosphere within and without Le Parc des Princes as the ‘Red and White Army’ took over the French capital were a wonder to behold.
That glorious defeat and remarkable European run will live long in the memory.
