Derry star Cassidy trading on his new business endeavour

Paul Cassidy smiled last Tuesday evening when he saw Barcelona's latest teenage sensation Marc Bernal lining out against Newcastle United in the Champions League.

Derry forward Cassidy has moved full time into the world of trading collectible sports cards and Bernal was the subject of one of his bigger recent sales.

It was an autographed collectible card, a 'one of one', and Cassidy sold it for £550 (€637). It's early days yet having only just turned what was previously a side hustle hobby into his permanent job but he's enjoying the gig.

"I started it up there a couple of weeks ago," he said, speaking at a media event ahead of tomorrow's Allianz Football League tie between Derry and Louth in Ardee.

"I sort of came across it there last year on Instagram and TikTok and stuff like that. I got a growing interest in it and was doing it on the side to the previous job I had and then the past few weeks I had a chance to go at it full-time so I decided to go for it. I felt I had nothing to lose so I may as well."

Bellaghy man Cassidy has attacked the challenge with the same sort of spirit he displayed against Kildare in Newbridge last month when he soloed through from midfield and scored one of the goals of this season, or any season.

The Bellaghy man, an Ulster SFC winner in 2022 and 2023, has started all five of Derry's Division 2 games so far this season, registering 2-12 in total. Life as a card collector appears to suit him.

"It's growing more popular," he said of the trade. "I just thought I saw an opening with it and I thought I'd go for it. As I said, I came across it last year and over time you sort of learn a good few things. At the start, I was like, 'This card is expensive' and then it turns out it's worth nothing, so you sort of learn it that way.

"It just takes time and obviously you need time on the other side of things trying to get more customers on board. I buy them on the internet and sell them on the TikTok Shop and eBay and stuff like that."

Like a talent scout, Cassidy, who operates as PC Collectibles, is always trying to uncover the next young talent, whose value may skyrocket.

"He (Bernal) is a rookie and that's what added a bit more expense on him because he has that potential of becoming a star," he explained of the Bernal card. "Once you see players like that, they're worth a fortune. The likes of the Arsenal player, Max Dowman, if you've heard of him, his cards are wild expensive at the minute."

All of which begs the obvious question, is there a market for something along the same lines for GAA players? Surely a signed David Clifford card could be something of value. Or even a Cassidy card given how he's lighting it up for Derry.

"There could be a market, aye," he said. "If the bigger stars had their autograph on the card, you never know, there could be something in it. At the minute, I'd be doing mainly soccer, Premier League and stuff like that."

Whilst work continues to excite him, and he thrives on the football field with Derry, it hasn't all been plain sailing for Cassidy who suffered the loss of his mother, Majella, last July.

A seven-a-side camogie tournament was staged by Bellaghy in her memory last weekend with all proceeds going to MacMillan Cancer Support.

"She used to love the seven-a-side tournaments, she played in them when she was younger," said Paul. "It was a nice idea we came up with and it was run well. Luckily, Bellaghy ended up winning so that was nice."

Cassidy, whose cousin, Damien Cassidy, and grandfather, Harry Cassidy, are both former Derry senior managers, said his mother remains his inspiration.

"She was obviously sick for a number of years but she was still my number one supporter," he said. "That's who I was playing for, when I played football, and I still am. That's the number one reason I'm playing. She was my biggest supporter, she was at every game I played in."

She'd be proud of his efforts this season with Derry who are on the cusp of promotion back to Division 1. After losing to Meath in Round 1, extending their long winless streak having gone through all of 2025 without a victory, Derry have won their last four games and are level on eight points with Meath and Cork heading into Round 6.

Cassidy described the Round 2 win over Tyrone as a huge turning point for the group.

"Going into that game, we needed a win, no matter how we got it," he said.

And now promotion is a strong possibility with Derry possessing a healthy +46-point scoring difference - Meath are on +18 and Cork -7 - thanks in part to their huge win over Cork.

"If we beat Louth, it's in our own hands but there could also be a team staying in Division 2 with 12 points, if Cork and Meath win their last two games as well," noted Cassidy.

That's a very real fear for Derry because they famously missed out on promotion in 2022 despite tallying 11 points that season.

"Galway and Roscommon ended up going up ahead of us that season," said Cassidy. "We don't want that happening again. I think that's one of the only times a team has got 11 points and not been promoted."

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