Barr’s Back & New Deal
Local lad Conor Barr pens new two-year deal with Derry City
Derry City FC is delighted to announce that defender Conor Barr has signed a new two-year contract with the club.
The 20-year-old full-back, a product of the club’s Academy who signed his first professional terms back in December 2022, has committed his future to the Candystripes until the end of the 2027 season.
Barr returns to the Brandywell following a successful loan spell with Cliftonville during the first half of the 2025/26 campaign. He made 13 appearances for the Reds, gaining vital senior experience before being recalled by manager Tiernan Lynch for the new season.
Speaking after putting pen to paper, Conor couldn’t hide his enthusiasm about returning and his new contract.
“I’m buzzing to get it done now,” Barr said. “Once I heard it, I just wanted to get it done as quick as I can. Especially as a local lad, remembering going to games as a kid, it definitely means that much more.”
Barr’s time away on loan, including a stint at Ballymena United in early 2025, has left him hungry to succeed.
“I just [wanted to] get the senior games under the belt and come back with fire in the belly now to get in the team and try and cement a place,” he added. “It’s a big squad… there’s competition everywhere you look, but that’s what needs to be if you want to challenge for leagues.”
Speaking after the club’s first pre-season outing on Friday, Manager Tiernan Lynch highlighted the value of Barr’s recent game time.
“We obviously put Connor out on loan the last two windows to try and get him some senior games and some senior minutes,” Lynch explained. “We’ve brought him back into the building now and hopefully we can help him kick on.”
Earlier today (Friday 9th January 2026), City blew the cobwebs off with a game in Dungannon against Sligo Rovers.
Almost completely different lineups in each half with a good few City youth players getting a chance to shine.
Only a single goal in it as Sligo took the win but good to get back out there.
Away to Finn Harps next weekend before the squad go for a training camp in Spain.
Photo: Event Images Derry