The dawn of a new era for Derry City who went 'to hell and back' 10 years ago

Vinny Sweeney celebrates with Emmett Friars who scored the equalising goal against Cork in Derry City's opening First Division match at Brandywell in 2010.

The club’s entry into the League of Ireland in 1985 was the last time Derry City had competed in the First Division and 25 years later it marked a second rebirth of the club which proved a memorable occasion for the people of the maiden city.

Club chairman, Mr Philip O’Doherty, claimed the club has been ‘to hell and back’ during the preceding months having been on the verge of disappearing from the senior football ranks altogether as punishment for contractual irregularities which had plunged the club into administration in November 2009.

The FAI had expelled the club from the League of Ireland for breaking rules by holding dual contracts with players but it was re-formed and re-admitted to the First Division in March 2010 as the association offered a lifeline.

Derry City players applaud the large home support against Cork City FORAS in March 2010.

Stephen Kenny opted to remain at the helm but was faced with his biggest challenge, hastily assembling a squad made up of local players as the Candy Stripes rose from the ashes.

Kevin Deery turned down an offer from Shamrock Rovers to lead the club as captain while club stalwarts, Eddie McCallion, Barry Molloy, Gerard Doherty, Mark McChrystal and the late Mark Farren provided an experienced nucleus which Kenny built his new-look team around.

And it provided the opportunity for local talents like Shane and Patrick McEleney and David McDaid to showcase their skills and build foundations for the impressive individual careers which followed, particularly Ireland international, James McClean who has gone on to represent Sunderland, West Brom and Stoke City in top flight football in England.

It was an uncertain time for the club and but also fitting that the Candy Stripes should host a Cork City side who had also started up as a new entity, known as Cork City Foras following a winding up order during the close season.

The final scoreboard reads 1-1 as the spoils are shared.

The Derry City chairman had called for the people of the city to get behind the club as it attempted to build itself back up and the call to arms was heeded with a bumper crowd turning out for the First Division opener - a vote of confidence for the new board.

“It was a sensational attendance for our opening game and it’s great to see that the footballing public, not only in Derry but throughout the north-west area, remains committed to this football club.

“It’s been a traumatic few months for everyone but thankfully we avoided going out of existence and it’s important that we remain focused as so much work remains to be done,” noted Mr O’Doherty after the match.

As for the match itself, according to the ‘Journal’ match report, it was a bitterly disappointing opening period during which neither keeper was stretched. Derry were struggling in the final third with Vinny Sweeney and Farren ‘totally dominated by Cork’s inspiring centre-halves and ex-Candy Stripes, Greg O’Halloran and Dave Rogers’.

A section of the Brandywell support who came to watch Derry City's opening First Division match against Cork City in 2010.

The Rebels stunned the home attendance three minutes into the second half with a spectacular goal. A throw-in from the right found the alert David O’Neill and his superb dipping strike had home keeper, Doherty grasping at thin air as the ball found its way into the net.

That goal, scored in front of the impressive Cork support of over 200 fans, threatened to spoil what was expected to be a very special night for the local men.

But back came Derry who deservedly restored parity following a set-piece as Ruairi Harkin swung the ball into the danger area following a free-kick and Derry debutante, Emmett Friars met the ball to direct his glancing header into the net from close range.

It was a famous night for two of the biggest supported teams in the League of Ireland who had contested the 1989 FAI Cup Final and battled it out for the Premier Division title right up until the final day of the season in front of 10,000 fans at Turner’s Cross just five years earlier (2005).

And just as they did 25 years previously, Derry went on to clinch the First Division title at the first attempt, earning their place at the top table of Irish football once again.

Ten years on we take a look at where Derry City's starting XI are now. Have a look