Derry City made its Mark on the Connolly family

Derry has become the adopted home for the Connolly clan since they touched down in the Maiden City from Scotland in 2022 and former City skipper, Mark doesn't envisage them moving on any time soon.

That's despite being told he was no longer in Tiernan Lynch's plans as the ex-Bolton Wanderers defender and his wife Rosa consider the city to be 'somewhere we stay for a long time'.

Of course the 33 year-old centre-half is now a free agent and currently considering offers from various clubs in Ireland, cross-Channel and further afield but with the kids settled in school and enjoying life in Derry, it'll remain their home for the foreseeable future.

While admitting it was 'sad' and 'disappointing' to be shown the Brandywell exit this week, the most difficult part of the process was fielding questions from his inquisitive 10 year-old daughter Ora and his six year-old son Rohan who couldn't quite get their heads around the sudden turn of events.

"We've come to this city and to be fair, myself and my family have bought into what was needed and what was asked from the city and the team," explained Mark.

"That's what we've done wherever my career has taken me; we live there and be a part of it. But I'm not too sure we'll be leaving from here. This could be somewhere we stay for a long time.

"The kids are obviously very, very happy here and happy in school. That was probably the most difficult part, telling the kids. My wee boy was alright. He was a wee bit sad and gave me a hug but my wee girl was disappointed and her first question was; 'can we still go back to the Brandywell to watch the games?'

"It's sad. Wee Ora, she goes down and meets all her friends on a Friday night. She's not even too worried about the football, it's more of the social side of it for her but it is what it is."

If it was up to Ora, her dad's next move would be a significant upgrade from Brandywell.

"My wee girl was asking what team I'm going to next and can it be Barcelona," he laughed. "So I think she's aiming a wee bit too high but we'll give it a go.

"It's emotional with the kids," he confessed. "When we won the FAI Cup and got to go to your kids' schools and stuff like that, it's obviously a source of real pride. So it's tough. You have a connection with the football club but, listen, it's time to go to the next challenge and get ready for what's ahead."

It's been a rollercoaster three-and-a-half years for the former Dundee United man who played for the first time in Europe with the Candy Stripes during that memorable Uefa Conference League run in 2023 where they fell short of the play-offs after a penalty shootout loss to Kazakhstan outfit Tobol in Tallaght. Being greeted by 100 odd Derry fans at City of Derry airport after the KuPs victory in Finland is one of his standout memories from that year!

He lifted the FAI Cup at the Aviva after victory over Shelbourne in 2022 but there were also disappointments after a demoralising European loss to Magpies of Gibraltar and an FAI Cup Final loss to Drogheda in 2024.

Fittingly his Derry career ended in success with a place in next year's Europa League secured but he leaves the club with one regret - not winning the league title despite finishing just three points behind champions Shamrock Rovers this term.

"Listen, it's hard to take [not being a part of Europe with Derry next year]. You want to be a part of it and I wanted to be there with the boys playing Europa League next year but I also had in the back of my mind in the last remaining weeks and games that if I'm not going to be here I want to make sure these boys are there and I gave absolutely everything to make sure the club and everyone involved in the football club got European football next year.

"I'm so glad they are there and the boys deserve it. It's been a long year. I don't believe we've been given the plaudits we deserve. I think we went under the radar. So Europa League football next year for the football club and hopefully exciting times."

He'll always have a special affinity with the club.

"I was sitting looking through photos earlier on to see what photo I would put up [on social media] to say goodbye and there's some amazing memories. The trips in Europe and the FAI Cup. It was an incredible three-and-a-half years. It feels really quick but at times it was quite long. There were some difficult moments."

Derry boss Lynch is in the process of refreshing his squad for another crack at the title next year and he let his captain go during a lengthy discussion at the club last Tuesday.

"I sat down with him and had a chat for a good while, maybe an hour-and-a-half and talked about everything. We talked about this season and talked about things for the club moving forward. We had a conversation about a lot of stuff but, listen, I leave the club in a happy place and I'm happy with how it's finished.

"Overall I'm disappointed because I spoke to the media when I first arrived at the club and said I wanted to win the league but we've fallen short which is disappointing. In saying that I feel like I've given absolutely everything and I think as a player that's all you can do."

Much of the old guard from Ruaidhrí Higgins' tenure has been moved on with Danny Mullen following Mark out the door this week but that's to be expected in the life of a footballer, explains the Monaghan man.

"That's how it works. Normally at every football club every journey has to end at some stage.

“Unfortunately ours has ended now but I still believe myself and Danny and some of the other lads had more to give to the club but they're going in a different direction and hopefully the recruitment can be good for the club and they can bring in the right players and bring the club to the next level which is winning the league. We're not far off it and I really think it's just getting that last bit right.

"It's disappointing for Danny too. I had a bit of a hand in bringing him over. He has children born in Derry. His little girl is in the same school as mine so he's another one who is fully committed to the football club and gave absolutely everything.

"He deserves a lot of praise. And even the boys who came in this year have been absolutely brilliant but unfortunately will probably be moving on.

"We built up a really good bond and everyone will stay in touch. Even the going away trip at the end to Tenerife, you normally get 10 or 12 or whatever but we had something like 22 or 23 which is pretty much the whole squad. That tells you everything you need to know about this team."

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