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Farren Heights: Mark back on pitch
02.03.10
by Caoimhinn Barr, Inishowen Independent
AFTER an up and down year that saw him get married
and deal with a brain tumour, Mark Farren is looking
forward to getting back on the pitch.
The Greencastle man, who was diagnosed with a
low-grade benign tumour on Christmas Eve 2008,
missed much of last season after being advised to
take a break from football before an MRI scan.
Following an extremely positive scan, the Inishowen
striker is fit and chomping at the bit ahead of
Derry City’s new season, which begins at Brandywell
next Friday night.
“It’s great to be back, I’m really looking forward
to the new season. My health is fine; the doctors
just need to monitor the tumour every six months.
All the news has been good so far and I’m delighted
to be playing again,” he said.
Former FAI Player of the Year, Farren said he never
considered ending his football career after the
recent health scare. |
“There was no reason
for me to stop playing because there was no risk
involved. Playing football is something I’ve always
done and it would be very difficult for me to stop,”
he said.
Ironically Stephen Kenny’s Derry team begin life in
the First Division against fellow eircom league
giants, Cork, who were also relegated because of
financial irregularities.
Farren said Division One will provide a tough test
for the Candy Stripes, who start as 2/1 favourites
to win the title. |
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“We plan to bounce
straight back to the Premier Division but it’s
definitely not going to be easy. There are some
excellent teams like Cork, Waterford and Shelbourne
but we have a good group of young players too,”
Farren said.
At the age of 27, Farren finds himself one of Derry
City’s senior players in a very young squad.
“There are only five or six senior players here now
so there is probably a bit of added pressure on us
to perform. It is up to us to provide the goals to
get the results,” he said.
Looking ahead to the forthcoming derby clashes with
bitter rivals, Finn Harps, Farren said he is
relishing the chance to face the Ballybofey men
again.
“It’s a great boost for football here to have the
two sides clash again, it’s just a pity it won’t be
in the Premier Division,” he said.
“This season the Derry, Harps meetings will be
proper derby games because all the players on the
teams are from the North-West.”
Talking about fellow Inishowen player, James Henry,
who was added to the Candy Stripes squad during the
offseason, Farren said the Shroove youngster has an
excellent chance to make a breakthrough.
“James trained with the first team the other day and
he looks a very strong prospect. He is a talented
player and has a great chance of making it into the
first team set-up,” he said. |
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