Day 14 – Derry City FC

Published on by erikcpanzer

Training today ran the same path as previous training sessions. So it was nothing spectacular or special.

I thought now would be a good time to give my readers a little more insight into Derry City FC. DCFC is a professional football team the plays in the League of Irelands Premier Division. The club is actually based in Derry, Northern Ireland, and is the only team from Northern Ireland competing in the league. Their home field is the Brandywell Stadium,

IMG_4558
View of the Brandywell Stand

which is also a greyhound racing track. The Brandywell has hosted many big teams over the years, with a pre season friendly one year against Barcelona. It has been said that the support for the team fluctuates often, with crowds coming and going season by season, however it only takes one good season for the large crowds to return, with the ground able to hold approx. 7,700 fans.

Now that I have been here for close to two weeks, I have a clear understanding of the rhythm and routine week in week out. The season consists of approximately 40 games per year including cup games. Because of this, player freshness, injury prevention, and muscle treatment is key to sustaining the team consistently throughout the year. Here is what a regular week will look like:

  • Sunday: Yoga, Ice baths
  • Monday: Foam roll/Mobility, Training, Gym
  • Tuesday: Off / Team community service or public appearance
  • Wednesday: Foam Roll/mobility, Video analysis, Training, Gym, Ice baths
  • Thursday: Foam roll/Mobility, Video analysis, Training
  • Friday: Game
  • Saturday: Off

The routine isn’t too bad at all, with 3 full training sessions a week in there to keep the team ticking over and preparing for the upcoming opposition. And for me at this stage not taking part in games, instead of the game on Friday, I will head in early again and get some work in on the training pitch while the teams warms up and prepare for the game. The game will be a great spectacle with Derry needing to win to stay in the title race and close the 9 point gap on Dundalk.

So far, it’s been a good two weeks, and I’m very glad my time here with Derry City will continue longer.