Details

Date Time League Season
7 July 2023 7:45 pm LOI Men's Premier Division 2023

Match Report

Patching injury time Pen sees Derry victorious

Will Patching’s injury-time penalty rescued all three points for Derry City as they do just enough to beat Sligo Rovers 2-1 at the Ryan McBride Brandywell.

Jamie McGonigle’s calm finish in the first half was cancelled out by Danny Lafferty’s powerful strike as the teams were level at halftime.

John Mahon’s handball in the 81st minute led to a penalty for Derry City but Luke McNicholas’s brilliant double save kept the sides level.

But in injury time, Cian Kavanagh got on the wrong side of Nando Pijnaker, who tripped the Candystripes striker giving Patching the chance to snatch the win for the home team.

Derry made three changes to the team that drew 1-1 with Shelbourne last week with Paul McMullen, Mark Connolly and Michael Duffy replacing Adam O’Reilly (suspended), Shane McEleney and Jordan McEneff.

Sligo Rovers were forced to make one change as Kailin Barlow was suspended after being sent off against Bohemians. Stefan Radosavljevic was in instead from the start.

The first chance of the game came as McGonigle got to the end of a through ball and laid it off to Michael Duffy. Duffy found Doherty at the edge of the box but his effort flew high and wide.

Liivak gets onto a clearance into midfield and controlled the ball well on his chest before sliding Stefan Radosavljevic down the left. The Danish midfielder cut inside and curled his shot wide of Brian Maher in the Derry goal.

Midway through the first half Ronan Boyce and Paul McMullen linked up well to send the Derry debutant down the right. A clipped ball in by McMullen found the head of McGonigle, but Derry’s number 9 got under the ball and headed over.

Minutes later McGonigle atoned for his header by finishing off a lovely team move by Derry City. Brandon Kavanagh received the ball in space and slid the ball through to the busy McGonigle, who calmly slots it past McNicholas.

Sligo Rovers were level eleven minutes later, as Niall Morahan pivoted in midfield and spread the ball out to Danny Lafferty. The Sligo Rovers' left-back carried the ball into the Derry City box and smashed the ball past Maher, who will be disappointed to have conceded at his near post.

Just before half-time, Nando Pijnaker collided with Doherty in what seemed to be a last-man tackle but referee Neil Doyle deemed the challenge as a yellow card.

Kavanagh produced a magnificent save from McNicholas from the resulting free-kick, as the Sligo keeper dived to his left to tip the Derry midfielder's dipping effort over the bar, ending the first half.

Will Patching was the first Derry City player to have a real attempt at goal in the second half, but the substitute’s strike tamely rolled wide.

Patching came even closer minutes later as he turned on the right-hand side of the Sligo Rovers box to whip a left-footed shot narrowly wide.

John Russell’s men were holding on in the final quarter of this match and will have felt sheer relief when Doherty’s shot crashed off the post to be dealt with by the Sligo defence.

From the resulting corner kick, Derry City were awarded a penalty. John Mahon’s handball gave Doherty the chance to convert from the spot, but his effort was straight at McNicholas. His headed rebounded was also palmed away by the Sligo Rovers stopper to keep the score at 1-1.

There would be one more chance for Derry to steal all three points when substitute Cian Kavanagh managed to turn Pijnaker before being fouled by the big centre half.

Derry’s regular penalty taker Will Patching was nominated for this penalty and made no mistake with his team's second spot kick of the game.

Ruaidhri Higgins and his team will want the performance of his side to improve but it was the result they need before their European matches this next week. For Sligo Rovers, it's another closely run game with nothing to show for it.

Derry City

1Brian Maher Goalkeeper
2Ronan Boyce Defender
6Mark Connolly 16 Defender
7Michael Duffy Midfielder
9Jamie McGonigle Forward 29'
12Paul McMullan Midfielder
14Ben Doherty Midfielder
15Sadou Diallo 10 Midfielder 44'
17Cameron McJannet Defender 4'
20Brandon Kavanagh 8 Midfielder
23Cameron Dummigan 29 Defender
3Ciaran Coll Defender
8Will Patching 20 Midfielder 90+3'
10Patrick McEleney 15 Midfielder
16Shane McEleney 6 Defender
22Jordan McEneff Midfielder
26Tadhg Ryan Goalkeeper
29Cian Kavanagh 23 Forward
32Sean Patton Forward
Danny Mullen 9 Forward

Sligo Rovers

1Luke McNicholas Goalkeeper
2Johan Brannefalk Defender
3Danny Lafferty 22 Defender 40'
6Greg Bolger 19 Midfielder 33'
7Will Fitzgerald Midfielder
8Niall Morahan Midfielder
10Frank Liivak Forward
18Stefan Radosavljevic 37 Forward
21John Mahon Defender 81'
27Max Mata Forward
28Nando Pijnaker Defender 45+2'
19Lukas Browning-Lagerfeldt 6 Midfielder
22David Cawley 3 Midfielder 74'
29Daniel Kelly Defender
30Richard Brush Goalkeeper
31Conor Walsh Goalkeeper
37Conor Campbell 18 Forward
44Daire McCarthy Midfielder
46Conor Reynolds Defender
47Owen Elding Forward
52Gareth McElroy Defender
  • 90'

    FINAL TIME! Derry City 2-1 Sligo Rovers

  • 90'

    GOAL FOR DERRY! Patching from the spot!

  • 90'

    PENALTY FOR DERRY... AGAIN!

  • 90'

    Conor Campbell comes on.

  • 90'

    Stefan Radosavljevic comes off

  • 90'

    5 MINUTES OF ADDED TIME

  • 85'

    Cian Kavanagh comes on.

  • 85'

    Cameron Dummigan comes off.

  • 85'

    Shane McEleney comes on.

  • 85'

    Mark Connolly comes off.

  • 82'

    DOUBLE SAVE BY MCNICHOLAS. The score remains 1-1.

  • 81'

    Mahon gets a yellow for the hand ball

  • 81'

    PENALTY FOR DERRY!

  • 80'

    Ben Doherty's strikes the post and leads to a corner.

  • 78'

    Lukas Browning-Lagerfeldt comes on.

  • 78'

    Greg Bolger comes off.

  • 75'

    Crawley is booked for a late tackle.

  • 73'

    Patching takes the ball on the corner of the box and whips a left-footed shot just over the bar.

  • 70'

    Patching strides through midfield and strikes a shot just wide of the Sligo goal

  • 68'

    David Crawley comes on.

  • 68'

    Danny Lafferty comes off.

  • 68'

    Patrick McEleney comes on.

  • 68'

    Sadou Diallo comes off.

  • 63'

    Danny Mullen comes on.

  • 63'

    Jamie McGonigle comes off.

  • 63'

    Will Patching comes on.

  • 63'

    Brandon Kavanagh comes off.

  • 61'

    McMullen and Bolger collide in midfield. Derry City fans was second yellow but the collision was innocuous and Neil Doyle keeps his cards in his pocket.

  • 58'

    Liivak gets into the Derry City box and shoots at Maher who palms it clear. The ball is eventually dealt with well by Boyce.

  • 55'

    Sligo have started the brighter of the two sides. Derry are finding it difficult to sustain any significant passage of play.

  • 50'

    Mata and Lafferty find themselves free at the back post but neither can make a clear connection and Maher collects easily.

  • 48'

    Radosavljevic chips the ball to the back post to find Lafferty but his effort is fired well over the ball.

  • 46'

    And were underway at the Brandywell. The score as we restart is 1-1.

  • 45'

    McNicholas makes a great save from a Kavanagh free kick.

  • 45'

    Pijnaker booked for a tackle just outside the Sligo Rovers box. Perhaps lucky to only receive a yellow as he seemed to be the last man back.

  • 44'

    Diallo called back for a yellow card.

  • 43'

    A number of heavy tackles were let go by Neil Doyle which were greeted by a chorus of boos.

  • 40'

    Danny Lafferty cruises down the left, finds his way into the Derry City box and smashes the ball past Brian Maher. 1-1!

  • 39'

    Doherty shoots from 30 yards out but slices the ball well wide.

  • 33'

    Neil Doyle comes back to book Bolger after a late tackle on Doherty.

  • 33'

    Duffy gets to the end line and whips the ball in. McNicholas tips the ball over the bar for a Derry City corner.

  • 29'

    Jamie McGonigle is fed through by Brandon Kavanagh before sliding the ball past McNicholas. 1-0!

  • 27'

    Boyce finds McMullen down the Derry City left and finds McGonigle in the box but the Derry striker heads over the bar. Best chance of the game.

  • 25'

    Pijnaker heads the ball wide from the free-kick

  • 24'

    Free-kick for Sligo in a dangerous position on the left.

  • 20'

    A swift break from Sligo. Liivak controls the ball on the bounce and plays Radosavljevic down the left but his effort curls just wide.

  • 18'

    McMullen gets on the ball for the first time and breezes past Lafferty before losing the ball. Bright from the new signing.

  • 12'

    Bolger loops a ball to Lafferty and takes it first time. His cross finds nobody in the box.

  • 8'

    Duffy lays it off to Doherty on the edge of the Sligo box but the shot is skied over.

  • 7'

    McGonigle squares the ball for McMullen but the ball is cut out and cleared

  • 4'

    First yellow card of the game as McJannet slides in recklessly.

  • 1'

    And we're underway here at the Brandwell!

  • TEAM NEWS: Only the one enforced change for Sligo Rovers from the team that was victorious against Bohemians last Friday. Goalscorer Stefan Radosavljevic replaces fellow goalscorer Kailin Barlow, who misses out through suspension.

  • TEAM NEWS: Derry make three changes from their 1-1 draw away to Shelbourne last Friday. New signing Paul McMullen starts alongside Mark Connolly and Michael Duffy. Adam O'Reilly is serving the first of his three-game ban following his straight red card on Friday night. Shane McEleney and Jordan McEneff drop to the bench

  • Hello everyone, and welcome to the Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium. Today's fixture sees Derry City versus Sligo Rovers. Conor Cantwell here, ready to report on the game ahead.

Past Meetings

(Round 17)
1 - 0
LOI Men's Premier Division
The Showgrounds

Sligo Rovers FC 1-0 Derry City FC

(Round 6)
1 - 1
LOI Men's Premier Division
Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium

Derry City FC 1-1 Sligo Rovers FC

(Round 33)
0 - 0
LOI Men's Premier Division
The Showgrounds

Sligo Rovers 0-0 Derry City

(Round 25)
1 - 0
LOI Men's Premier Division
Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium

Derry City 1-0 Sligo Rovers

(Round 17)
2 - 1
LOI Men's Premier Division
The Showgrounds

Sligo Rovers v Derry City

(Round 3)
0 - 0
LOI Men's Premier Division
Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium

Derry City v Sligo Rovers

(Series 35)
2 - 0
LOI Men's Premier Division
Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium

Derry City v Sligo Rovers

(Series 25)
1 - 2
LOI Men's Premier Division
The Showgrounds

Sligo Rovers v Derry City

(Series 17)
1 - 1
LOI Men's Premier Division
Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium

Derry City v Sligo Rovers

(Series 7)
0 - 1
LOI Men's Premier Division
The Showgrounds

Sligo Rovers v Derry City

(Quarter Final)
0 - 0
FAI Cup
The Showgrounds

Sligo Rovers v Derry City

(Series 15)
1 - 0
LOI Men's Premier Division
The Showgrounds

Sligo Rovers v Derry City

(Series 6)
0 - 2
LOI Men's Premier Division
Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium

Derry City v Sligo Rovers

1 - 2
LOI Men's Premier Division
The Showgrounds

Sligo Rovers FC v Derry City FC

3 - 0
LOI Men's Premier Division
Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium

Derry City FC v Sligo Rovers FC

0 - 0
LOI Men's Premier Division
The Showgrounds

Sligo Rovers FC v Derry City FC

2 - 0
LOI Men's Premier Division
Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium

Derry City FC v Sligo Rovers FC

1 - 2
LOI Men's Premier Division
Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium

Derry City FC v Sligo Rovers FC

0 - 2
LOI Men's Premier Division
Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium

Derry City FC v Sligo Rovers FC

0 - 2
LOI Men's Premier Division
The Showgrounds

Sligo Rovers FC v Derry City FC

2 - 1
LOI Men's Premier Division
The Showgrounds

Sligo Rovers FC v Derry City FC

3 - 0
LOI Men's Premier Division
The Showgrounds

Sligo Rovers FC v Derry City FC

4 - 0
LOI Men's Premier Division
Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium

Derry City FC v Sligo Rovers FC

1 - 1
LOI Men's Premier Division
The Showgrounds

Sligo Rovers FC v Derry City FC

2 - 1
LOI Men's Premier Division
Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium

Derry City FC v Sligo Rovers FC

7:45 pm
LOI Men's Premier Division
The Showgrounds

Sligo Rovers FC v Derry City FC

2
LOI Men's Premier Division
Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium

Derry City FC v Sligo Rovers FC

1
LOI Men's Premier Division
The Showgrounds

Sligo Rovers FC v Derry City FC

1 - 1
LOI Men's Premier Division
Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium

Derry City FC v Sligo Rovers FC

1 - 1
LOI Men's Premier Division
The Showgrounds

Sligo Rovers FC v Derry City FC

2 - 1
LOI Men's Premier Division
Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium

Derry City FC v Sligo Rovers FC

2 - 2
LOI Men's Premier Division
The Showgrounds

Sligo Rovers FC v Derry City FC

1
LOI Men's Premier Division
Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium

Derry City FC v Sligo Rovers FC

Ground

Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium
Ryan McBride Brandywell, Derry, Northern Ireland, BT48 6NP, United Kingdom

Conor Cantwell is a freelance sports journalist based in Co. Meath. Conor has been covering club football in Ireland and England since 2022. Conor has a keen interest in soccer, Gaelic games, rugby, tennis and basketball and has been writing blogs about the Premier League and the NBA since 2022.