New Brandywell grass pitch a game-changer for Derry City: says Tiernan Lynch
DERRY City manager Tiernan Lynch reckons the planned new state-of-the-art hybrid pitch at Brandywell Stadium would be 'a game-changer' for the football club.
The ambitious Brandywell club has confirmed its intention to replace the much-maligned 4G surface at its home ground with a 90% grass pitch fully funded by generous chairman Philip O'Doherty.
The planned works are currently at the tendering stage and while discussions with stadium owners Derry and Strabane District Council, the FAI and the various stakeholders continue, the installation of the new pitch and sprinkler system is expected to take place in April 2026.
During that time the club is hoping for minimal disruption for stadium users including Institute Football Club with Derry City displaced for potentially five or six home matches. ‘Stute is understood to be considering the use of Limavady United showgrounds at Rathomore Road for a handful of home games towards the tail end of their NIFL Championship campaign.
The current Brandywell pitch, which was first laid in 2017, has been the source of frustration for Derry boss Lynch, his predecessors and both home and visiting players over the past few years.
And so Lynch believes the move towards a new grass pitch will only benefit his team as they bid to challenge for the 2026 league title and host at least two European fixtures at the ground next summer.
"I think the news of trying to get a new pitch would be game-changing for the club," said Lynch. "It would be game-changing for attracting players and game-changing hopefully for our own boys. We enjoy playing our football on grass pitches."
Derry City is also in talks to secure the use of Derry GAA's Celtic Park for its home matches during that period. Sligo Showgrounds is the only other feasible option for the club as Finn Harps applied for a First Division licence for Finn Park, but Celtic Park, which is situated less than 400 yards from Brandywell, is the preferred choice.
That would be the ideal scenario for Lynch and his troops and of course supporters who would face minimal upheaval on matchdays.
"We know there will be a little bit of an upheaval with getting a grass pitch and if the club managed to get Celtic Park then the fans wouldn't have to travel all that much further. It might even be a shorter walk for some of them and I think that would be great for us."
Lynch has been delighted with the use of Owenbeg as a training base last year and that arrangement with the Derry County Board will continue for 2026. So he's hoping both organisations can continue to strengthen its working relationship should they work together at Celtic Park.
"I think Owenbeg has been brilliant for us. It feels somewhat like a home at the moment. I know we're very keen to get back into the city and that's always the objective but I think for where we are at the moment it's superb."