Derry continue off-season recruitment drive with five re-signing for 2020

Declan Devine’s Derry City have confirmed that Jamie McDonagh, Nathan Gartside, Eoin Toal, Darren Cole and Mark McChrystal have all committed to the 2020 cause at the Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium.

McDonagh has signed a new deal at the Brandywell that will keep him at the Foyleside venue for another year at least, as has Darren Cole and Mark McChrystal.

Eoin Toal and Nathan Gartside have both signed two-year contract extensions, with the duo set to stay at the club until the end of the 2022 season.

McDonagh scored four for the Candystripes in 2019, while McChrystal will add some steel and experience to a strong City back line.

Cole also returns having missed out on the end of the year with injury, while Toal and Gartside will also both be looking forward to making their mark over the next three years.

“I think this is the most important piece of business that we've done up until this point in terms of keeping the nucleus of last year's group together,” Devine told the Derry Journal.

“I think everyone sitting at the table played a huge part last year. It was a no-brainer to try and tie everyone down to the club again for this season on the back of last year.

“There was a lot of success but at the same time we want to push it on. For us to achieve success this year it's very important that the people that were here last year are ready to push us on.

“We're delighted that Eoin (Toal) has signed a two year extension to the year he already has. Nathan (Gartside) has done the same so they're both on pretty much three year contracts now.

“Darren (Cole) has signed a year contract as has Jamie (McDonagh) and Mark (McChrystal). It gives us that feel good factor from last year which we can continue on into next year.



“More importantly it gives us really good people and players at the club for 2020.”