Derry City chairman: 'The target is very clear, we want to win the league this year and maybe next year'

The self-made billionaire has retired from his managing director position at American Engineering giants Vertiv and has vowed to put all his spare time and money into his beloved Candystripes.

Fri, 23 Jan, 2026 - 22:09

Simon Collins

AMBITIOUS Derry City chairman Philip O'Doherty has stated his intent to knock champions Shamrock Rovers off their perch and end the club's near 30 years wait for the Premier Division title in 2026.

The self-made billionaire has retired from his managing director position at American Engineering giants Vertiv and has vowed to put all his spare time and money into his beloved Candystripes.

He's already put his money where his mouth is by fully backing City boss Tiernan Lynch in the transfer market and has taken an hands-on role with the club's transfer business.

Derry finished just three points behind double winners Rovers last term but the signing of Ireland legend James McClean from Wrexham last week has raised expectations exponentially on Foyleside.

The addition of Darragh Markey [Drogheda], Rob Slevin [Galway], James Olayinka [Waterford], Patrick McClean [Sligo Rovers], Josh Thomas [Swansea on loan] and James Clarke [Bohemians] has added much needed League of Ireland experience as Lynch's transfer business has taken a different direction after his maiden season in the league.

Turner's Cross now to be known as Munster FA Turner's Cross Stadium

O'Doherty, who was on the Board of Directors during the 1996/97 season when Derry last won the league, is determined to leave a legacy at the club and he's prepared to do whatever it takes to ensure his hometown club bridges that gap as he laid out his ambition for the season.

"For Derry City the target is very clear, we want to win the league this year and maybe next year as well," he said bluntly. "That's a huge ask," conceded the chairman who isn't about to close his out-sized cheque-book.

With longstanding club CEO Sean Barrett stepping away from his position last month, O'Doherty has now assumed an 'executive chairman' role and has been hands-on in the day-to-day operations and club management alongside Lynch.

O'Doherty dismissed suggestions he would be tightening the purse strings after the marquee signing of ex-Ireland international McClean from Wrexham. In fact, Derry continues to shop in the premium market, and O'Doherty expects further reinforcements before the close of the winter window.

"There's a lot of positives in this. I'm certainly full-time now with the club as more than a chairman. It's more like an executive chairman. I'm dealing with Tiernan and getting players out and players in.

"I will be consulting with James (McClean) as well because he has a huge amount of knowledge, information and contacts as well which will help myself and Tiernan.

"We still have a few positions that need to be strengthened. Obviously Tiernan has come with a case for everything and, I have to say, I like working with him.

"I really enjoy his logic. Sometimes I don't understand it because I'm not a football person. I've total confidence in him and Seamus (Lynch) as well who is a big asset to Tiernan. I let him run the club. I keep telling people I'm going to pick the team, which is only a joke of course, but we have a good relationship as I did with previous managers."

The founder of E&I Engineering, O'Doherty has left an indelible mark in the electrical engineering industry. He retired after more than 40 years in the business and now he's determined to leave a lasting legacy with his hometown football club as progress continues both on and off the pitch at Brandywell.

"I certainly have more time now. I'm really happy with Veritiv and doing bits and pieces with them but it's been 39 years at E&I Engineering and four years with Vertiv and it's a long time. I really needed to get stuck in with the football.

"We have a good team and Sean's (Barrett) did a fabulous job. I've learned a lot from Sean; he really drove the James McClean deal, not me. All of a sudden, I found a load of money to increase the budget when James McClean's name was mentioned," he laughed.

"The cheque book is there. There was a budget larger than last year's set and it was near enough spent out but then James McClean was available and all of a sudden, I found all the money under my bed and the chequebook wasn't closed. No, it was never closed.

"If someone came to me with an opportunity like this, which is very unusual, there was only one answer which was 'yes, where do I sign?'.