Next up with the task of picking their ‘Dream XI’ of current and former teammates is January arrival, Dean Jarvis.
Jarvis began his career at Derry City before moving across the water to Scottish Premiership club Aberdeen where he enjoyed a four year spell. After returning home, he has gone on to play for Institute, Derry City for a second time and Dundalk, before arriving at Inver Park.
Read below to find out his ‘Dream XI’.
FORMATION: 3-4-3
GOALKEEPER: GERARD DOHERTY (Derry City)
I played with Gerard at the Brandywell for five years and he is a top keeper. Although I’ve played with many fantastic goalkeepers in my time, Gerard’s distribution on the ball sets him apart from the rest.
RIGHT WING BACK: SEAN GANNON (Dundalk)
Sean is the first player from Dundalk to make my team. As a defender, Sean’s speed makes it really hard to get past him, but he’s also strong going forward and really difficult to stop getting up and down the right-hand side.
CENTRE BACK: SHANE MCELENEY (Derry City & Larne)
He would cry if I didn’t include him! Again, we played together at Derry City for a couple of years. Shane is a top defender and a great ball playing centre half.
CENTRE BACK: NICLAS VEMMELUND (Derry City)
I can’t think of anything that phased this man! He’s even calmer and more laid back on the ball than Shane, and that’s saying something! Niclas is now back in his homeland, playing in the Danish Second Division.
CENTRE BACK: SEAN HOARE (Dundalk)
My theme of having good ball playing centre halves continues with Sean Hoare. On top of being calm when playing out from the back, Sean is very quick and always able to pull the team out of a hole. He also has great aerial ability, the complete defender.
LEFT WING BACK: CIARAN MCCAUL (Derry City)
I played with Ciaran at youth level for Derry City and I have never seen a player with as much pace, he was lightening quick! Sadly, a bad knee injury at 17 years old prevented him from having what would have been a successful career.
CENTRE MIDFIELDER: STEVIE O’DONNELL (Dundalk)
Stevie was a great leader on and off the pitch. On top of that, he had the ability to make the game feel easy and it was a gift to play in the same team as him.
CENTRE MIDFIELDER: CHRIS SHIELDS (Dundalk)
My team needs a ball winner in the middle of the park and I haven’t seen anyone do it better than him during my time in football. Chris was an integral part of the Dundalk side and played a really important role in us winning so many trophies.
RIGHT WINGER/FORWARD: PATRICK MCELENEY (Dundalk)
Patrick was a great player to play with! Based on technical ability, he’s the best in the team, an exciting player with great ability and control on the ball. He’s not too bad at Call of Duty either!
FORWARD: PAT HOBAN (Dundalk)
Pat is a unit up front who links up the play very well. He makes the ball stick and can score goals for fun. For me, there isn’t anyone better in the League of Ireland.
LEFT WINGER/FORWARD: MICKY DUFFY (Derry City/Dundalk)
Micky is another player who I played with at two clubs. He’s definitely the best in his position in the League of Ireland! Another who is lightening quick, I would have loved to have seen him link up with McCaul if they had the chance.
