New daughter Cría has given Derry City defender Darren Cole more focus

At the start of the 2019 season the Scottish defender wasn’t sure where his future at club level lay until City’s new boss, Declan Devine, convinced him that he still had a major role at the Brandywell.

Cole’s versatility saw him deployed across the back four at various stages last season, including an impressive spell at right back just when his manager needed it.

Disaster struck at the end of August however with a ruptured ACL sustained in training as the Candy Stripes prepared to take on Waterford at the RSC.

With his contract due to expire in November, Darren’s future again looked uncertain. However the City management stood by their player.

And at the end of last month, Darren’s partner, Orlaith Meenan, gave birth to daughter Cría which, despite the coronavirus situation putting a dampener on sport, means things are once again looking up.

The 28-year-old says his daughter’s arrival means there’s a new focus in his life but he’s working hard to give himself the best chance of being ready when football returns to the League of Ireland.

“It’s been exciting times since the wee one, Cría, has arrived,” insisted Cole, “All the other boys with kids on the team kept telling me it was the most amazing feeling to be a dad and it really is.

“She’s a wee bundle of joy and although barely anyone has seen her with all of this madness, it’s been nice spending time at home just the three of us. She’s no bother at all, just like her da!”

Cole was full of praise for the Brandywell side and especially club physio, Michael Hegarty, who is helping him during his recovery.

“The club have been great with me through the lockdown. They provided me with a spin bike, weights and other items to keep my fitness and strength levels up and to be able to continue the programme Mickey (Hegarty) provided,” he added

“I have been able to keep my day well structured, which is good. In between nappy changing and bottle feeds, I do an online spin class on YouTube as well as the programme for my knee.

“Mickey has been top class; he’s been in touch almost every day checking up on the progress of my knee and keeping me right.

“The injury is getting much better now and I just need the go ahead from Mickey when he thinks it’s right for me to run again. I had a check up during lockdown and everyone is happy with how it’s healed and progressing, which is good.

“I just have to see how the knee feels when I do start running on it but I’m staying positive that I’m on track.”

The Edinburgh native concedes, like his team-mates, he can’t wait to get back to training and playing for the Candy Stripes.

“I cannot wait to get back on the pitch. I know the rest of the boys have been itching to get back since the league was postponed but it’s been a much longer wait for me.

“For the last eight months I’ve been doing everything exactly as instructed so that I can get back playing as soon as I can,” he explained.

“Ironically the injury happened the same day as Orlaith’s first doctor’s appointment with the pregnancy. Add that to a global pandemic and my perspective on things has changed!

“I’ve always loved playing for Derry and indeed living here but I want us to succeed more than ever now. I want the people here to have something to celebrate and I want to make my daughter proud.”

A message from the Editor:

Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news on this free-to-read site, I am asking you to also please purchase a copy of our newspaper whenever you are able to do so.

Our journalists are highly trained and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the most rigorous standards in the world. But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. So we need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers during this crisis.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers - and consequently the advertising that we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news and information by buying a copy of our newspaper when you can safely.

Thank you