Derry City 2
Bohemians 1
RORY PATTERSON BOOKED Derry City’s place in next season’s Europa League qualifiers as he completed a superb second half comeback at Brandywell.
The Derry striker took his season’s tally to 18 goals in all competitions but he could so easily have had a hat-trick against Bohemians.
Bohs had taken a 17th minute lead through striker Kurtis Byrne but from then on it was one-way traffic.
Derry twice hit the woodwork in the first half before Aaron McEneff got the home side back on level terms from the penalty spot five minutes after the interval.
And Patterson put Kenny Shiels’ troops in front when he turned the ball into the net from close range.
It was no more than the Candystripes deserved and they now look on course to clinch third spot as the victory sent them five points clear of fourth placed Shamrock Rovers with just two games to go.
Bohs were first to test the keeper after six minutes when Keith Buckley’s inviting pass across the face of goal was met by the outstretched leg of Byrne, but he couldn’t direct his close range effort past Doherty.
Five minutes later Josh Daniels picked up the ball on the edge of the Bohs penalty area but he dragged his right footed shot wide of the target.
The Dubliners got off the mark on 17 minutes when Byrne beat Derry keeper, Doherty in a race to the ball and his shot found the net despite the best efforts of Conor McDermott who attempted to clear off the line.
Sixty seconds later Daniels carved open the Bohs defence with a ball through the middle which tempted Dean Delany out of his box but Patterson got to it first. The Derry striker rounded the keeper on the 18 yard line but his tame shot was cleared by the retreating Derek Prendergast.
Derry were pressing for the equaliser and when Keith Ward’s corner was headed to the edge of the box, Aaron McEneff’s stunning strike on the volley hit the foot of the post.
Bohs were under pressure and Patterson took the ball down with a beautiful first touch on the left side of the penalty area before his powerful strike was deflected into the side netting.
From the resultant corner, Patterson rose highest to meet the ball but his glancing header went the wrong side of the post.
Harry Monaghan then sent Ward scampering past the last defender on 36 minutes but his shot took a touch off a Bohs defender and went behind for yet another corner kick.
Ward found Vemmleund from the corner but the big Dane headed just wide of the target as Bohs held on.
Derry did have the ball in the back of the net six minutes before the break when Daniels fizzed his cross towards the back post and Dean Jarvis poked it home. However, the referee’s assistant was quick to raise his flag for offside.
And on the stroke of half-time Daniels did well to keep the ball in play before cutting it back into the path of Patterson who cannoned his shot off the underside of the crossbar.
There was no let up from the home side at the start of the second half as fives minutes after the restart McDermott’s heels were clipped by Derek Pender just inside the penalty area.
Referee, Derek Tomney pointed to the spot and McEneff sent Delany the wrong way for his sixth goal of the season – all six from penalties.
And Derry deservedly took the lead 13 minutes later following a scramble in on the Bohs’ six yard area. McEneff’s effort was cleared off the line moments before Jarvis’ shot was turned into the net by Patterson for his 18th of the season.
Delany did superbly to prevent Derry getting a third on 74 minutes when he saved Curtis’ downward header with his feet.
DERRY CITY: G. Doherty; C. McDermott, C. Castells, N. Vemmelund; J. Daniels, H. Monaghan, K. Ward (R. Holden 76), McEneff (C. McCormack 76), D. Jarvis; R. Curtis, R. Patterson; Subs Not Used – S. Patton, N. Boyle, B. Doherty, L. Schubert, M. Karner.
BOHEMIANS: D. Delany; L. Fitzgerald, I. Morris, D. Prendergast, D. Pender (O’Halloran 61); P. Kavanagh, D. Hayes, E. Wearen (M. Quigley 79), K. Buckley, J. Kelly (D. Byrne 61); K. Byrne; Subs Not Used – S. Supple, S. Best, O’Hara, D. Casey.
Referee: Derek Tomney.
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Find a role for him at Ulster.
@Keno: the Critism of Murphy is he lacks experience as a head coach, if Davidson came in as DoR, it would certainly add that experience.
@Kingshu: Ulster have a serious crop of young forwards, that rival anything in Leinster. Get him in as a forwards coach to compliment the work of Jimmy Duffy.
@Kingshu: Yes, this would be a good thing for Ulster and Irish rugby to have someone with the knowledge he has of the French setup.
@Brian Meagher: at club level he won’t be taking anything lower that Head coach or DoR role, maybe forwards coach of a top international side, but think not for a club side.
@Kingshu: Who knows? It would be a gateway back to coaching in Ireland, and, as i said an exciting group of players to coach (which is half the joy).
@Brian Meagher: rival anything Leinster have? They have a good bunch but let’s be real please
Would he take an attack coach position at Connacht?
@Con Cussed: Maybe even head coach??
@Paul Ennis: LOL but yes!