Derry City 0-2 Galway United
Derry City's miserable form continued as they suffered yet another SSE Airtricity League Premier Division defeat, losing 2-0 to Galway United.
Pauric Cunningham’s 24th minute opener after Gerard Doherty’s goalkeeping error was followed up by a second goal minutes later thanks to Jake Keegan’s powerful close-range header, which ensured Tommy Dunne’s men deservedly secured the points.
The Brandywell men went close to taking the lead in the first minute, but Philip Lowry’s shot was well blocked on the line by Paul Sinnott, after United goalkeeper Connor Gleeson could only parry away Mark Timlin’s initial right wing corner.
On 18 minutes the Derry fans stood up and sung Mark Farren’s name as they showed their support for the club’s all-time leading marks man and former team-mate James McClean sat beside Farren throughout the game.
Galway took the lead on 24 minutes when City goalkeeper Gerard Doherty was unable to hold onto Gary Shanahan’s right-wing corner and the gleeful Ryan Connolly made no mistake drilling the ball home from close range.
United added a second three minutes later when a quickly taken free-kick by goalscorer Connolly found an unmarked Jake Keegan and he powerfully headed home past Doherty.
Just after the half-hour mark Derry had to make a substitution with Shaun Patton replacing Doherty, who was a major doubt ahead of the game with a back problem.
Peter Hutton’s side had the second half on the front foot and they went close to pulling one back in the opening few minutes, but Cillian Morrison’s drive from just inside the box was straight at Gleeson.
Derry’s miserable night continued on 72 minutes when substitute keeper Patton collided with United’s Gary Shanahan and both players had to leave the pitch on a stretch, meaning Anthony Elding had to dawn the gloves for the Candystripes.
Elding had to make a smart save on 82 minutes when he denied Padraic Cunningham, after the United striker had ran away from the City defence to latch onto Stephen Walsh’s through ball.
A minute later Morrison had a super chance to pull one back, but his close-range header was straight at Gleeson.
Derry City: Gerard Doherty (Shaun Patton 35 Ryan Curran 72), Shaun Kelly, Ryan McBride, Shane McEleney, Aaron Barry; Josh Daniels (Ronan Curtis 58), Philip Lowry, Barry McNamee, Mark Timlin; Cillian Morrison, Anthony Elding.
Galway United: Connor Gleeson, Cormac Raferty, Paul Sinnott, Stephen Walsh, Colm Horgan; Gary Shanahan (Antoine O Laoi 72), David O’Leary, Ryan Connolly, Jake Keegan; Enda Curran, Padraic Cunningham.
Referee: Mr Rob Rogers (Dublin).
