A dominant Derry City dented Sligo’s European aspiration whilst also keeping apace atop the Premier Division standings, as they edged a bitty contest, 1-0

Will Patching was the matchwinner for the Candystripes. Patching’s peach of a free kick in the fifteenth minute enough to see off a disapprovingly tame Sligo Rovers.

Derry dominated but Ryan Graydon spurned their first opportunity as his header from six yards out, after sumptuous play by Cameron McJannet, flew wide.

It was soon forgotten however as the hosts early pressure yielded the lead. Robbie Burton, who was sloppy at times, conceded a cheap free kick in prime Patching territory.

From the left edge of the D, the midfielder curled in a beauty. A trademark top corner strike, another example of Patching’s party piece. 

The lively Michael Duffy and Cameron Dummigan came close to doubling Derry’s advantage before Sligo emerged out of their shell.

Paddy Kirk purposefully pushed up from left-back and his delicious cross needed the intervention of Brian Maher’s fingertip as top scorer Aidan Keena lurked for any loose ball.

Jamie McGonigle thundered a fizzing volley just high after the break before Graydon guilted another header, this time from Duffy’s wonderfully wafted cross.

As the clock ticked down, the nerves steadily increased in the Brandywell. Defender Mark Connolly, however, was immune to any anxiety as he made a series of brave blocks & intelligent interventions. He looks increasingly a steal of a signing from Dundalk & was a calming presence.

In injury time, Danny Lafferty made his centurion, 100^th appearance for Derry. Yet it was one of Sligo’s subs, Max Mata, who nearly pooped the party in the 94^th minute.

Keena weighted an ingenious chip in behind Derry’s backline but from a tight angle, Mata could only lift high. Seconds later, the whistle went, to cue delirium.

An important result for both sides as Derry maintains the pressure on Shamrock, their breathing down their neck in the league only adds to an already enticing FAI Cup quarter-final with them on Sunday.

Sligo, meanwhile, must ponder why they sat so deep, despite possessing a formidable attack, until the 1^{st of} October when they welcome, whom other than, Shamrock Rovers themselves.

Derry will pray that Keena, Mata & Frank Livaak get more chances that night than they did on tonight’s tricky trip to an inform Northwest team.

Derry City moved to within just one point of league leaders Shamrock Rovers courtesy of an exhilaratingly entertaining 1-0 win against Bohemians at the Brandywell.

Michael Duffy was the matchwinner with a rocket worthy of winning any match.

However, the first half was overshadowed by a serious injury to Derry’s Ciaran Coll. The defender appeared to fall nastily on his neck and after a lengthy stoppage for treatment, he was taken to hospital and applauded off by all sides of the Brandywell.

Everyone here at FinalWhistle.ie wishes Coll a speedy recovery.

There had been a fast-paced tempo to the match but this, understandably, quelled, following Coll’s injury. Rory Feely had Bohemians best chance of the first half but couldn’t capitalise on a free header afforded to him in the Derry box.

Just as the match was drifting into dull territory, Duffy illuminated the contest. Ironically, it came from Shane McEleney’s botched pass which trickled to the winger.

From the edge of the box, Duffy released a sledgehammer of a shot, arcing unstoppably past the stunned Bohs keeper, Jon McCracken.

Patrick McEleney and Feeley spurned a decent chance apiece in the second half before Boh’s Ethan Varian, booked in the first half, squandered their best opportunity of the match.

Liam Burt, last week’s matchwinner against Shamrock, played him in but Varian, with a large portion of the goal gaping, could only shoot straight at Brian Maher.

That was the last big chance either side concocted as a raft of substitutions ensured a nervy finish for the home fans. Jamie McGonigle’s searing pace was an outlet the Candystripes frequently turned to as they grinded the victory out in the closing stages.

Derry host Sligo in the league on Tuesday hoping to keep the pressure on Shamrock before the top two sides meet in the FAI Cup quarter-final, a week on Sunday.

With Dundalk’s dramatic defeat at UCD, has the landscape of the title race shifted from a three-team to a two-team race?

Bohemians are also in Cup competition next, they travel to Shelbourne looking to salvage something from an underwhelming season.

Derry City deepened UCD’s relegation woes as strikes from Ryan Graydon, Sadou Diallo and Michael Duffy saw the Candystripes earn a comfortable 3-0 win at the Brandywell.

The win rounds off a fine week’s work for Derry as they secured a third win in seven days.

Ryan Graydon, especially, was keen to keep up his recent momentum. After his injury time winner on Monday night, the winger was on the scoresheet early tonight.

Patrick McEleney’s sublime backheel instigated the breakthrough, enabling Cameron McJannet to fizz a cross in. Despite James Akintunde’s scuff that hit the post, Graydon was lurking to gobble up the rebound.

UCD replied by getting their foot on the ball and Sean Brennan led their brightest moves. He set up Dylan Duffy for a chance before extending Derry goalkeeper, Brian Maher, himself with a sumptuous curling effort.

However, the second half was one-way traffic as Derry dominated the ball. A stubborn away defence were, in the end, prised open by a stroke of magic.

Michael Duffy, who shone in the second half where Brennan had in the first, released Sadou Diallo with a classy, perfectly timed backheel. Diallo’s finish was ice cool and gave Derry a merited, two-goal advantage.

Duffy continued to torment the student’s defence and with five minutes remaining, got the goal he deserved. McEleney played him in with a typically assured pass and Duffy powered a fierce, low drive beyond Kain Moore.

Three wins from three for Derry then who move to within four points of Shamrock Rovers after their loss in the Dublin Derby. Ruadihri Higgins will be delighted with Graydon and Diallo bagging their second goals in three games, easing the reliance on Derry’s forwards for goals.

They host Bohemians next whilst UCD welcome Dundalk. The bottom side can at least take comfort in Finn Harp’s loss at St Patrick’s Athletic tonight, but they need to pick up points of their own if they are to haul themselves back above Harps by the season’s end.

League leaders Shamrock Rovers maintained their eight-point advantage above Derry City as they held the Candystripes to a goalless draw in a, nonetheless, enthralling encounter. Dundalk's win however takes them within four points of Shamrock

The first half seesawed as the Brandywell crowd made for a raucous atmosphere early on. Sean Hoare’s flicked header wide from Neil Furrigia’s cross their best chance amidst concerted pressure.

Given the recent soaring temperatures, water breaks were in play tonight and following the first, Derry sprang into life attacking Shamrock in waves.

With thirty-seven minutes played, Hoare was adjudged to have handballed from a Derry free kick and the referee pointed to the penalty spot. Will Patching, passed fit to start, stepped up but sent an uncharacteristically tame effort to Alan Mannus’ left. A miss that let Shamrock off the hook.

Despite Jack Byrne’s arrival into the game as a substitute, clearcut chances remained at a premium. Indeed, Sean Kavanagh’s pearoller at Brian Maher’s was one of Rover’s better openings.

The home side scented blood and with Michael Duffy’s introduction, Mannus was forced into another sprawling stop.

Captain Patrick McEleney then engineered a golden opportunity for Ryan Graydon, but the winger’s shot hit the post from a narrow angle.

Despite a late surge, encouraged by the buoyant Brandywell crowd, a couple of flashing headers just wide from Cameron McJannet were the closest Derry came to snatching victory.

The visitors, despite the dropped points, will leave the happier of the sides considering their point tonight was a very hard-earned one. It rounds off a satisfying week’s work having also secured group stage European football for the near future.

While Dundalk’s win at Dalymount Park elevates them to within four points of Rovers, Derry are now languishing eight points adrift of the leaders.

Tonight’s results have teed us up for a mouthwatering clash between Shamrock and Dundalk next week. Derry will hope to get back to their goalscoring ways against Drogheda at the same time.