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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. Bellaghy went on to represent Derry in the Ulster Minor Club Football Championship. Cassidy scored three points against Dunloy, 1–2 against Inniskeen, and 0–3 against St Eunan's as Bellaghy reached the final. 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.

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.

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. Cassidy made his championship debut on 1 November, coming on as a substitute in an Ulster-quarter final loss to Armagh.

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. 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.

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. Derry went on to reach their first Ulster final in eleven years with a win over Monaghan, with Cassidy scoring two points. 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. Cassidy scored 1–1 in the All-Ireland quarter final win over Clare, as Derry set up a semi-final against Galway. Derry's season ended at the semi-final stage as Galway were five-point winners.

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. Derry secured promotion to Division 1 after winning their first six games, 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. In the Ulster Championship, Cassidy scored 1–2 against Fermanagh, and two points against Monaghan as Derry reached back-to-back provincial finals. 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. On 16 July, Cassidy scored two points as Derry lost the All-Ireland semi-final to defending champions Kerry. At the end of the season, Cassidy was nominated for an All-Star award for the first time.

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

Honours

Derry

• Ulster Senior Football Championship: 2022, 2023
• National Football League: 2024
• National Football League Division 3: 2021
• Dr McKenna Cup: 2023

Bellaghy

• Ulster Minor Club Football Championship: 2018 (c)
• Derry Minor Football Championship: 2018 (c)

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.

• 2000 births
• Living people
• Derry inter-county Gaelic footballers
• Bellaghy Gaelic footballers