- Mark Farren
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Mark Farren 
Personal information Full name Mark Farren Date of birth May 1, 1982 Place of birth Donegal, Republic of Ireland Height 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in) Playing position Striker Club information Current club Derry City Number 18 Youth career 1998–1999 Tranmere Rovers 1999–2000 Huddersfield 2000–2001 Finn Harps Senior career* Years Team Apps† (Gls)† 2001–2003 Monaghan United 7 (1) 2003–present Derry City[1] 159 (55) * Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 25 October 2009 (UTC).
† Appearances (Goals).Mark Farren (born May 1, 1982 in Greencastle, County Donegal, Republic of Ireland) is an Irish footballer who plays as a striker with League of Ireland club Derry City.[1]
Career
Farren embarking on a mazy run.
Farren began his football career with a largely unsuccessful period, throughout which he was dogged by injury, in the youth setup at Tranmere Rovers. Following this and a spell at Huddersfield Town, he returned to his home county to play for Finn Harps. A lack of first-team opportunities saw Farren move south to fellow League of Ireland First Division side Monaghan United. He became a regular in the Monaghan team and quickly gained a reputation as a promising, pacy striker with lots of potential. He earned a move to Derry City in 2003 with a free transfer,[2] and although he began the 2004 season on the bench, Farren made his breakthrough under Gavin Dykes. His importance to the club was seen when he burst onto the scene with a crucial hat-trick against Limerick and another goal against his former club, Finn Harps, in the promotion/relegation play-offs.
Farren stayed clear of injury in the 2005 season to produce some magnificent displays. He finished the season as second top scorer with 18 league goals in 31 appearances and 22 goals in all competitions. It was this excellent form that saw him named PFAI Player of the Year.[3] With the signing of Kevin McHugh and the establishment of Gary Beckett as a top forward in League of Ireland football, Farren's starting place was placed under threat for the 2006 season. However, he returned to the form he showed in 2005 and did manage to hold down a regular spot in the team, with an especially strong finish to the season, which helped Derry win the FAI Cup.[4] His efforts also helped keep Derry in the league title race up until the very last day of the season, only to see his club lose the title to Dublin rivals, Shelbourne FC, on goal difference. In all, Farren finished the 2006 season with 18 goals to his name.[1]
In 2010 Farren was instrumental in Derry gaining promotion from the First Division scoring 20 goals in the season.[5] Farren who scored in the 1-0 victory in the last game over Monagahan to give Derry the championship may however be forced to put his playing career on hold due to a brain tumour.
“ Twenty goals (in the season) and he's had to deal with so much going through his mind about his future health, never mind his footballing career. He's been unbelievably courageous, I don't think people realise how brave he's been, although certainly all the players do.
” —Derry City manager Stephen Kenny.[6]
Mark Farren retired from football after Derry gained promotion to the Premier League due to a benign tumour diagnosed in his brain. Although it was suggested that he could return to the game in the near future as either again a player or in a coaching role.
In May 2011 it was announced that Mark Farren had come out of retirement and returned to training with Derry City following an astonishing recovery and would play again for the team once he regains full match fitness.
He was named in the squad travelling to Sligo to play in a crucial league match at the start of September 2011.[7]
Commenting on Farren attempting to surpass Liam Coyles goal tally, Kenny stated:
“ It’s a challenge for him once he’s back playing. Liam is recognised as one of the all-time greats at Derry City and while Mark played with him for a short spell, I think they have great respect for each other and I’ve no doubt that Liam will be willing Mark to score the six goals he needs to beat the record of 112. ” —Derry City manager Stephen Kenny [7]
References
- ^ a b c Player Profile - Official Derry City site Retrieved 2008-08-23
- ^ Derry City FC signs Mark Farren on a free transfer Retrieved 2008-08-23
- ^ Derry duo take Player of the Year honours RTÉ Sport, 28 November 2005. Retrieved 2008-08-23.
- ^ Farren To Fore Independent.ie. December 10, 2006. Retrieved 2008-08-23.
- ^ "Farren to plot more Derry City heroics". BBC. http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/local/farren-to-plot-more-derry-city-heroics-14991930.html. Retrieved 1 November 2010.
- ^ "Star striker Mark Farren awaits brain tumour news". BBC News. 1 November 2010. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-11664158. Retrieved 1 November 2010.
- ^ a b Duffy, Arthur. "Kenny’s delight as Farren completes ‘miracle’ recovery". Derry Journal. http://www.derryjournal.com/sport/football/kenny_s_delight_as_farren_completes_miracle_recovery_1_3009315. Retrieved 3 September 2011.
Derry City F.C. – current squad Categories:- Republic of Ireland association footballers
- 1982 births
- Living people
- Derry City F.C. players
- League of Ireland players
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