Mark Farren
Encyclopedia
Mark Farren is an Irish footballer
who plays as a striker
with League of Ireland
club Derry City
.
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, 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
. 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
. 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.
In 2010 Farren was instrumental in Derry gaining promotion from the First Division scoring 20 goals in the season. 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.
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.
Commenting on Farren attempting to surpass Liam Coyles goal tally, Kenny stated:
Football (soccer)
Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a sport played between two teams of eleven players with a spherical ball...
who plays as a striker
Striker
Forwards, also known as strikers, are the players on a team in association football who play nearest to the opposing team's goal, and are therefore principally responsible for scoring goals...
with League of Ireland
League of Ireland
The League of Ireland is the national association football league of the Republic of Ireland. Founded in 1921, as a league of eight clubs, it has expanded over time into a two-tiered league of 22 clubs. It is currently split into the League of Ireland Premier Division and the League of Ireland...
club Derry City
Derry City F.C.
Derry City Football Club is a professional football club based in Derry, Northern Ireland. It plays in the League of Ireland Premier Division...
.
Career
Huddersfield Town F.C.
Huddersfield Town Football Club is an English football club formed in 1908 and based in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire. They currently play in League One...
, 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
Monaghan United
Monaghan United F.C. is an Irish football club playing in the Premier Division of the League of Ireland. The club, founded in 1979 and elected to the league in 1985, hails from Monaghan and play their home matches at Gortakeegan, Monaghan...
. 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
Derry City F.C.
Derry City Football Club is a professional football club based in Derry, Northern Ireland. It plays in the League of Ireland Premier Division...
in 2003 with a free transfer, and although he began the 2004 season on the bench, Farren made his breakthrough under Gavin Dykes
Gavin Dykes
Gavin Dykes was a defensive footballer who played for numerous League of Ireland clubs, including Sligo Rovers, Finn Harps and Derry City. In 1994 he captained Sligo to an FAI Cup win.He also managed Harps and Derry ....
. His importance to the club was seen when he burst onto the scene with a crucial hat-trick
Hat-trick
A hat-trick or hat trick in sport is the achievement of a positive feat three times during a game, or other achievements based on threes. The term was first used in 1858 in cricket to describe HH Stephenson's feat of taking three wickets in three balls. A collection was held for Stephenson, and he...
against Limerick
Limerick F.C.
Limerick Football Club is an association football club based in Limerick, Ireland. The club currently play in the First Division of the League of Ireland. The first Limerick FC was founded in 1937 and has had a number of guises through its history, known at different times as Limerick FC, 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
Professional Footballers Association of Ireland
The Professional Footballers' Association of Ireland ' is the representative body for professional and semi-professional footballers in Ireland. Players from all nationalities in the League of Ireland are represented, not just Irish players. It is a member of FIFPro; the international body for...
. With the signing of Kevin McHugh
Kevin McHugh
Kevin McHugh ; born 19 January 1980 in Letterkenny, Ireland) is an Irish football player currently with Finn Harps.-Career:McHugh was born in Letterkenny and raised in the border-town of Killea in Co...
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
FAI Cup
The Football Association of Ireland Challenge Cup, known as the FAI Ford Cup for sponsorship reasons, is a knock-out association football competition contested annually by teams from the Republic of Ireland...
. 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.
In 2010 Farren was instrumental in Derry gaining promotion from the First Division scoring 20 goals in the season. 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.
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
Derry City F.C.
Derry City Football Club is a professional football club based in Derry, Northern Ireland. It plays in the League of Ireland Premier Division...
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.
Commenting on Farren attempting to surpass Liam Coyles goal tally, Kenny stated: