Derry City 0-2 Dundalk
Champions Dundalk secured a deserved 2-0 win to see off a spirited ten-man Derry City at The Brandywell and move further clear at the top of the Premier Division table.
Ciaran Kilduff’s first-half strike and David McMillan’s late goal ensured Stephen Kenny’s side deservedly took the points from the Brandywell.
However, the game completely changed for the home side on 24 minutes when Conor McCormack was sent-off following a challenge on Sean Gannon.
The visitors created the first real chance on 15 minutes as John Mountney’s right-wing cross found Kilduff but the striker’s close-range header was parried away by City goalkeeper Gerard Doherty.
Dundalk’s Gary Rogers was called into action soon after when he did well to parry Aaron Barry’s 25-yard strike around the post.
On 24 minutes, City went a man down when McCormack was shown a straight red card after a heavy challenge on Gannon and referee Robert Harvey also dismissed assistant manager Paul Hegarty from the Derry bench, as he took his protests too far.
Dundalk took the lead on 48 minutes when Kilduff fired home from close range after a flowing move ended with Dane Massey finding the ex-St Patrick’s Athletic man, who netted his second goal since his move from Richmond Park.
The ten men had a half-chance on 64 minutes but Rob Cornwall’s header at the back post from Barry McNamee’s centre was easily gathered by Rogers.
On 67 minutes Mountney’s cut-back found Richie Towell but the midfielder’s effort from 10 yards was saved by Doherty.
Towell should have netted on 73 minutes but his close-range header, after he broke free of the Derry defence, was straight at Doherty.
Dundalk substitute McMillan should have ended the game as a contest on 84 minutes but after breaking the offside trap his strike was saved by Doherty.
McMillan didn’t make any mistake four minutes later though, slotting the ball home from close range, after Massey had won possession from City sub Seamus Sharkey on the edge of the box and found the striker.
Derry City: Doherty, Cornwall, McBride (Sharkey 73), Barry, Jarvis; Lowry, McCormack, McEneff, McNamee; Dooley (Curtis H-T), Timlin (Curran 82).
Dundalk: Rogers, Gannon, Gartland, Boyle, Massey; O’Donnell, Towell, Finn; Mountney, Kilduff (McMillan 75), Horgan.
Referee: Mr Robert Harvey (Dublin).
