Galway United sealed a deserved victory at title hopefuls Derry City.
The Tribesmen took the lead thanks to Stephen Walsh's stunning 85th-minute goal and held out comfortably, in truth deserving to win by a bigger margin.
Derry were disappointing again and boos rang out around the Brandywell, as the home support were left frustrated by another lacklustre performance.
That's a big, big goal for Galway United!
— League of Ireland (@LeagueofIreland) March 29, 2024
Superb from Stephen Walsh. #LOI | #DERGAL pic.twitter.com/LCaUvBIqzH
The visitors went close on three minutes but Karl O'Sullivan's 20-yard-shot on the turn, which was well hit, had to be pushed away by diving City keeper Brian Maher.
Derry should have done better on 29 minutes as Michael Duffy's right-wing corner found Shane McEleney but the centre-back's header at the back post fizzed wide.
On the hour mark, another Duffy delivery, from the right this time, picked out Mark Connolly but the ex-Dundalk man headed over from close range.
United really should have taken the lead on 65 minutes as Aodh Dervin latched onto Vincent Borden's pass and raced into the box, but the midfielder's well hit strike was parried away by Maher.
Minutes later, Ruaidhrí Higgins went to the bench by bringing on leading goal-scorer Pat Hoban for the disappointing Daniel Kelly.
The biggest cheer of the night came on 75 minutes as Ciaron Harkin came off the bench to replace McEneff, it was the ex-Coleraine man's 100th appearance and his first since 2022 after suffering two cruciate ligament injuries.
John Caulfield's side deservedly took the lead in outstanding style on 85 minutes as substitute Walsh got in behind McEleney before superbly clipping the ball over Connolly and coolly slotting home past Maher.
Moments later a Paul McMullan right wing cross found Duffy, but the winger's close range volley failed to test Clarke and flashed wide.
Derry City: Brian Maher, Ronan Boyce, Shane McEleney, Mark Connolly, Cameron McJannet; Will Patching, Jordan McEneff (Ciaron Harkin 76), Paul McMullan; Daniel Kelly (Pat Hoban 65), Daniel Mullen (Shaun Patton 84), Michael Duffy.
Galway United: Brendan Clarke, Robert Slevin, Killian Brouder, Aodh Dervin (Stephen Walsh 69), David Hurley (Regan Donelon 94), Karl O'Sullivan (Maurice Nugent 90), Vincent Borden (Patrick Hickey 90), Conor McCormack, Edward McCarthy, Al-Amin Kazeem, Jeanno Esua.
Referee: Declan Toland (Dublin)
