Sligo Rovers 2
Derry City 1
Jessica Farry reports from The Showgrounds
SLIGO ROVERS came from behind as Derry City slipped up in the battle for the title, losing 2-1 to a Bit O’Red side who continue to cause them problems.
But, Shelbourne’s failure to beat Drogheda means that the Candystripes are three points behind, having been two points behind earlier on Thursday.
With four wins on the bounce, Derry travelled to The Showgrounds in good form and full of confidence.
But Ruaidhri Higgins’ side were travelling to a venue in which they have not won a game since 2021.
And, they were coming up against a Bit O’Red side who have proven to be somewhat troublesome for teams at the top, having beaten both Shamrock Rovers and Shelbourne in recent weeks.
The visitors were dominant in the early stages, and while Ben Doherty and Paul McMullan were causing plenty of problems for the hosts, Ed McGinty was proving difficult to beat.
McGinty, whose loan from Oxford has been extended until the end of the season, made himself big on a couple of occasions to deny Paul McMullan, while Pat Hoban’s overhead kick at the end of the first half trickled wide.
Derry City deservedly went ahead in the second half in fantastic fashion.
Daniel Kelly’s cross came to Hoban, who left it for McMullan. And the Scot’s superb finish beat McGinty to put the Candystripes ahead.
The hosts were working hard and got a lifeline when they were awarded a penalty on the hour mark when Will Fitzgerald was taken down in the box by Sadou Diallo.
Chapman, with his fifth of the season, sent Maher the wrong way to bring the sides level.
And with one minute to go, Chapman charged forward from his own half, working his way around the Derry defenders before tucking his shot into the corner to grab a late win for the hosts.
McGinty pulled off a couple of fantastic saves at the end to ensure the win for his side, who now move level on points with Galway, while Derry City are three points behind the league leaders.
Sligo Rovers: Ed McGinty; JR Wilson, Nando Pijnaker, Ollie Denham, Reece Hutchinson; Niall Morahan, Connor Malley; Stephen Mallon (Kailin Barlow 66), Ellis Chapman, Will Fitzgerald; Wilson Waweru (Owen Elding 83).
Derry City: Brian Maher; Cameron Dummigan, Mark Connolly, Shane McEleney, Ben Doherty; Sadou Diallo (Danny Mullen 74), Adam O’Reilly; Paul McMullan (Colm Whelan 84), Daniel Kelly (Michael Duffy 74); Will Patching; Pat Hoban.
Referee: Damien MacGraith.
Lots of common sense as normal from Baxter. Didn’t think they’d let Jones go so late in the process. Not sure anyone else can make an impact before the WC. So can’t see England, as they currently stand, being in the top 2 positions of the Six Nations. Most likely fighting it out with Wales for 3 & 4 positions.
@Con Cussed: Baxter’s definitely one of the good guys. Deserves a lot of respect. But you have to wonder whether he’s achieved all he can at Exeter; that they are a bit past their peak; and he needs a different challenge
Borthwick has a really good thing going with Leicester, would you really want to take on the English job as a youngish coach a year out from the world cup? I hope the RFU have a plan b…
@David Lawlor: Scott Robertson. Disaster for the rest of the world if it is.
@David Lawlor: You would think Mark McCall would be considered being one of the most successful coachers in the premiership.
@Con Cussed: it’s always odd never to see his name popping up around this kinda scenario.