Landmarkfor Farren

The striker, who joins up with the Blues in January, netted a hat-trick in Derry City’s 7-1 FAI Cup quarter-final win over Mervue United and smashed Liam Coyle’s all-time goal-scoring record in the process.

Farren netted the illusive 113th goal of his Derry City career to overcome Coyle’s record and his new boss, Gary Hamilton, was delighted he got the chance to complete the feat before leaving to join Glenavon.

“It’s a great achievement,” said the Blues boss.

“I’m delighted for Mark because I know that’s one thing he wanted to do. Hopefully it will give him a bit of confidence and that he’ll play more for Derry and score more goals.

“That record will stand for a long time. It’s hard to score that amount of goals in that league. Liam Coyle was a legend at Derry City and to break his record at a club like that is a fantastic achievement.”

Hamilton was also pleased Farren got the chance to prove the doubters wrong after his decision to leave the club had been questioned.

He said: “People around Derry have been questioning Mark and how he hasn’t been scoring but my answer is that he hasn’t been playing and has been struggling with a re-occurring calf injury.

“He had been getting a bit of a hard time up. His desire to play for Derry had been questioned.

“Derry City didn’t offer him a contract so he had to look after himself. Anybody who knows Mark Farren knows he’s one of the most professional people in the game.”