Paul Cassidy

Paul Cassidy
Personal information
Sport Gaelic football
Position Centre forward
Born 2000 (age 23–24)
Club(s)
Years Club
 Bellaghy
Inter-county(ies)
Years County
2020–
 Derry
Inter-county titles
Ulster titles 2
All-Irelands 0
NFL 1
All Stars 0

Paul Cassidy (born 2000) is an Irish Gaelic footballer who plays as a forward for Bellaghy Wolfe Tones and the Derry county team.

Playing career

Club

Cassidy captained Bellaghy to the Derry Minor Football Championship title in 2018, beating Lavey in the final.[1] Bellaghy went on to represent Derry in the Ulster Minor Club Football Championship. Cassidy scored three points against Dunloy,[2] 1–2 against Inniskeen,[3] and 0–3 against St Eunan's as Bellaghy reached the final.[4] The final took place on 1 January 2019. Cassidy scored 1–2 and lifted the cup after Bellaghy's 6–11 to 0–8 win over Crossmaglen Rangers.[5]

Inter-county

Under-20

On 14 July 2019, Cassidy was at corner forward for the Ulster under-20 final against Tyrone. Cassidy scored a point but was forced off injured after 13 minutes. Tyrone went on to win the match by 4–13 to 1–10.[6]

Senior

Cassidy joined the Derry senior team in 2020, making his National League debut on 17 October, scoring 1–1 after coming on as a late substitute against Longford.[7] Cassidy made his championship debut on 1 November, coming on as a substitute in an Ulster-quarter final loss to Armagh.[8]

On 19 June 2021, Derry faced Offaly in the Division 3 league final. Cassidy was brought on as a second-half substitute as Derry were 0–21 to 1–6 winners.[9] On 11 July, Cassidy made his first championship start against Donegal in the Ulster quarter-final. Derry lost the match by a point, with Donegal taking the lead for the first time in injury time.[10]

On 1 May 2022, Cassidy was in the half-forward line as Derry beat reigning All-Ireland champions Tyrone by eleven points in the Ulster quarter-final.[11] Derry went on to reach their first Ulster final in eleven years with a win over Monaghan, with Cassidy scoring two points.[12] The Ulster final took place on 29 May, with Derry facing Donegal. Cassidy scored a point as Derry claimed an extra-time victory to win their first provincial title since 1998.[13] Cassidy scored 1–1 in the All-Ireland quarter final win over Clare, as Derry set up a semi-final against Galway.[14] Derry's season ended at the semi-final stage as Galway were five-point winners.[15]

On 21 January 2023, Cassidy scored a point and was named man of the match as Derry won the Dr McKenna Cup, beating Tyrone in the final.[16][17] Derry secured promotion to Division 1 after winning their first six games,[18] and went on to face Dublin in the Division 2 final on 2 April. Cassidy scored two points, but Dublin won the match by 4–6 to 0–11.[19] In the Ulster Championship, Cassidy scored 1–2 against Fermanagh,[20] and two points against Monaghan as Derry reached back-to-back provincial finals.[21] In the Ulster final on 14 May, Cassidy had his penalty saved in the shoot-out, but Derry still beat Armagh, defending the Ulster title.[22] On 16 July, Cassidy scored two points as Derry lost the All-Ireland semi-final to defending champions Kerry.[23] At the end of the season, Cassidy was nominated for an All-Star award for the first time.[24]

In the 2024 league, Derry topped the table, qualifying for the final against Dublin.[25] Cassidy started the final at wing forward, and Derry won the league for the first time since 2008 after a penalty shoot-out win.[26]

Honours

Derry

Bellaghy

References

  1. ^ Corbett, Kevin (27 December 2018). "GAA: Bellaghy minors back on the Ulster trail for the first time in 24 years". Derry Now. Retrieved 24 November 2023.
  2. ^ Corbett, Kevin (9 December 2018). "GAA: Bellaghy blow Dunloy away in final quarter to setup a quarter-final meeting with Inniskeen". Derry Now. Retrieved 24 November 2023.
  3. ^ Corbett, Kevin (16 December 2018). "GAA: Bellaghy ease to St Stephen's Day clash with St Eunan's at the Ulster Club MFC". Derry Now. Retrieved 24 November 2023.
  4. ^ Campbell, John (27 December 2018). "Bellaghy survive fightback to cement place in the Ulster final". Belfast Telegraph. Retrieved 24 November 2023.
  5. ^ Martin, John (2 January 2019). "Brilliant Bellaghy are crowned Ulster minor club champions". The Irish News. Retrieved 24 November 2023.
  6. ^ Mooney, Francis (14 July 2019). "Tyrone step on the gas to claim Ulster U20 honours". RTÉ. Retrieved 25 February 2023.
  7. ^ Wilson, Michael (17 October 2020). "Glass sparkles on return as Derry overcome Longford". RTÉ. Retrieved 23 March 2023.
  8. ^ Wilson, Michael (1 November 2020). "Armagh hold off dogged Derry to progress to semi-final". RTÉ. Retrieved 23 March 2023.
  9. ^ McGoldrick, Sean (19 June 2021). "Derry point way to Allianz NFL Division 3 final win over Offaly in front of 2,400 fans at Croke Park". Irish Independent. Retrieved 4 February 2023.
  10. ^ Foley, Alan (11 July 2021). "McBrearty kicks late winner as Donegal squeeze past Derry". The 42. Retrieved 4 February 2023.
  11. ^ Bogue, Declan (1 May 2022). "13-man Tyrone stunned as Derry outgun reigning Ulster and All-Ireland champions". The 42. Retrieved 4 February 2023.
  12. ^ O'Riordan, Ian (15 May 2022). "Derry beat Monaghan and make statement of further intent". The Irish Times. Retrieved 4 February 2023.
  13. ^ Bogue, Declan (29 May 2022). "Underdogs Derry beat Donegal in extra-time to win first title in 24 years". The 42. Retrieved 4 February 2023.
  14. ^ Keane, Paul (25 June 2022). "Shane McGuigan excels as five star Derry put Clare to the sword". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 4 February 2023.
  15. ^ Crowe, Dermot (9 July 2022). "Damien Comer double does the damage as Galway see off Derry to book place in All-Ireland final". Irish Independent. Retrieved 19 November 2022.
  16. ^ Campbell, John (21 January 2023). "Focus quickly shifts to League campaign for Derry after Dr McKenna Cup Final win over Tyrone". Belfast Telegraph. Retrieved 4 February 2023.
  17. ^ Archer, Kenny (25 January 2023). "Derry manager Rory Gallagher hails the 'phenomenal' potential of Paul Cassidy". The Irish News. Retrieved 24 November 2023.
  18. ^ Doherty, Steven (19 March 2023). "Allianz FL D2: Derry earn promotion". Gaelic Athletic Association. Retrieved 30 April 2023.
  19. ^ Keane, Paul (2 April 2023). "Four-goal Dublin secure Division 2 title in Croke Park". RTÉ. Retrieved 30 April 2023.
  20. ^ McLaughlin, Gerry (15 April 2023). "McGuigan stars as Derry dominate Fermanagh at Brewster Park". RTÉ. Retrieved 30 April 2023.
  21. ^ Mooney, Francis (29 April 2023). "Derry power past Monaghan to make Ulster decider". RTÉ. Retrieved 30 April 2023.
  22. ^ Keys, Colm (14 May 2023). "Odhran Lynch the shoot-out hero as Derry deny Armagh to retain Ulster SFC crown". Irish Independent. Retrieved 14 May 2023.
  23. ^ Manning, Gordon (16 July 2023). "Champions Kerry back in the All-Ireland final after edging Derry out with late flurry of scores". The Irish Times. Retrieved 25 July 2023.
  24. ^ "PwC GAA/GPA Gaelic Football All-Star nominations announced". Gaelic Athletic Association. 29 September 2023. Retrieved 29 September 2023.
  25. ^ Wilson, Michael (24 March 2024). "Allianz FL D1: Derry secure final spot and relegate Roscommon". Gaelic Athletic Association. Retrieved 31 March 2024.
  26. ^ Mac Lochlainn, Rónan (31 March 2024). "Derry outlast Dublin on penalties in epic league final". RTÉ. Retrieved 31 March 2024.