Derry City FC's dedicated fan radio programme, Match Night Live, has earned a nomination for Sports Show of the Year at the UK Community Radio Awards for the second consecutive year. The volunteer-run show on Drive 105 provides live commentary and analysis for the club's matches, including European trips funded by the team themselves.

Producer and lead presenter Dee Curran expressed the group's delight. "It's a huge pleasure for all of us to be nominated for Sports Show of the Year for a second year running," Curran said. The team, which includes Kevin Moore, Patrick Cooke, and Lisa Crampsie among others, operates entirely on a voluntary basis. Richard Moore, Director of Drive 105, called it "a fantastic achievement for the Match Night Live team and for Drive 105 as a whole."

The programme's scope extends far beyond simple match commentary. Since the Covid lockdowns, its content has expanded to include discussions on the club's history, men's mental health, and issues within the game. Their commitment was shown last season when volunteers travelled at their own expense to Bulgaria and Croatia to provide on-location reporting for Derry City's UEFA Europa League and UEFA Conference League fixtures. This European coverage was delivered without any financial support from the club, underlining the team's dedication.

The nomination arrives as Derry City enjoys a strong spell on the pitch. The Candystripes are currently fourth in the Premier Division standings with 41 points from 32 games, sitting 18 points behind leaders St Patrick's Athletic. Ruaidhrí Higgins's side is unbeaten in their last five league outings, a run that includes a 1-0 victory over Galway United in their most recent match. Michael Duffy, whose season can be tracked in the club's stats section, leads the scoring charts this season with 12 goals.

Looking ahead, the club's focus will now turn to their next fixture, a home match against Drogheda United at The Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium on Friday night. The national awards ceremony for the radio show is scheduled for Saturday the 24th of October. The last meeting between Derry City and Drogheda ended in a 1-1 draw, a result Higgins's men will be eager to improve upon as they continue their push up the table.

Read the full report at UK Community Radio Awards