Dery City will make an emotional return to the Brandywell on Friday.

The Irish football year was book-ended and overshadowed by the tragic deaths of Derry City skipper Ryan McBride and the young Shelbourne striker Izzy Desu, writes Liam Mackey.

Alan Bennett never went missing for Cork City this season, so you can’t blame him if he goes off the radar in the coming weeks.

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Cork City boss John Caulfield has reignited his war of words with Shamrock Rovers, saying his club are expecting “gamesmanship” in their meeting this week and accusing Hoops players of “hitting the deck for no reason”.

Striker Sean Maguire admits he is dreaming of a move to England but believes he “owes something to Cork City” and is determined to first bring the league title back to Leeside.

Cork City 3 Derry City 0: This was another huge statement of intent by Cork City as they made it a straight eight of victories in the league by convincingly seeing off Derry City at a delighted Turner’s Cross.

Skipper Gerard Doherty believes Derry City can follow the path of Munster Rugby to reignite their League of Ireland title tilt in the wake of the tragic death of Ryan McBride.

On what can’t possibly be anything other than an occasion heavy with emotion at Maginn Park tonight, Derry City will play for first time since the tragic death two weeks ago of their captain Ryan McBride.

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Cork City 2 - Dundalk 1: Six points clear after six games is hardly daylight, but Cork City are certainly going to take stopping in the Premier Division title race this season.

Paul Fitzpatrick remembers Ryan McBride, Derry City FC footballer and captain and an iconic figure among the Brandywell supporters.

Concern for the welfare of their stricken captain Seamus Coleman rather than the road to Russia was the overriding emotion of Ireland’s players after their scoreless draw against Wales.

Ireland paid a heavy price for a valuable and hard-fought point on the road to Russia last night as captain Seamus Coleman suffered a horribly broken leg in a scoreless draw with Wales.

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Here's your morning bulletin.

Cork City boss John Caulfield won’t take risks of causing long-term injury damage to his players for short-term gain in Saturday’s Premier Division top-of-the-table clash with Dundalk.

The funeral of former Northern Ireland deputy first minister Martin McGuinness will take place on Thursday.

Here's your evening update.

“He wasn’t just our captain or leader. He was our warrior on the park. But a gentleman off it. Devastated.” The words of Derry City team-mate Nicky Low summed up the loss and pain being felt across football following the death of Candystripes captain Ryan McBride.

Ryan McBride wasn't a household name across Europe, but now his passing is being marked, much like those of footballers who have died in similarly inexplicable circumstances, writes David Shonfield

SSE Airtricity Premier Division

Barely an hour after his team created yet more Irish football history by beating Maccabi Tel Aviv 1-0 in Group D of the Europa League in Tallaght on Thursday night, manager Stephen Kenny talked about how all at Dundalk remain “driven” in the quest to make this “an incredibly special season” for the club.

The big games are coming thick and fast for Dundalk as the champions continue the defence of their league crown at home to Derry City tonight (7.45pm, live on RTÉ 2).

Derry City 0 Cork City 0: It was very much a case of advantage Dundalk as Cork City failed to make inroads following what proved a scoreless bore at the Brandywell last night.

Sligo Rovers 0, Derry City 0: Derry City’s pursuit of the top two was halted by Sligo Rovers at The Showgrounds in a scoreless yet absorbing SSE Premier Division fixture.

Wexford Youths 1 Derry City 2: Derry City manager Kenny Shiels paid tribute to his players after they bounced back to snatch all three points with a goal in additional time at Ferrycarrig Park on Saturday evening.

Having produced commendable performances against some of the top sides in the country, Shane Keegan wants his Wexford Youths to finally take that major step and garner a first Premier Division victory when Derry City visit Ferrycarrig Park this evening.

Cork City 0 Derry City 0: Cork City dropped two valuable points in their bid to finish second in the Airtricity League Premier Division as Derry City earned a well-deserved point at Turners Cross last night to ease their relegation fears.

Derry City 1 Cork City 1: Derry City and Cork must meet again at Turner’s Cross on Monday night following this thriller at a rain-lashed Brandywell last night.

The top two in the league will be hoping to remain on course for the ultimate cup clash at the Aviva Stadium when the FAI Cup quarter-finals take place this evening.

Bohemians 4 Derry City 2: He may have got a vote of confidence from the club chairman earlier in the week, but the pressure on Derry City manager Peter Hutton mounts as their run without a league win stretched to 12 games at Dalymount Park last night.