SSE Airtricity League Premier Division
Derry City 2 Galway United 0
Derry City finally ran out comfortable winners against a well-organised Galway United side at the Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium.
Second-half goals from Will Patching and Pat Hoban sealed the three points for Ruaidhrí Higgins’s side, but in truth they should have won by a bigger margin as they created a host of clear-cut chances.
While John Caulfield’s side, who had taken four points off the Foylesiders already this season, worked hard and frustrated the home side for long periods, they had goalkeeper Brendan Clarke to thank for keeping the scoreline down.
The veteran shot-stopper made a host of big saves denying Patching, Hoban and Duffy on a few occasions.
City made one change from Monday night’s win over Waterford, with Sadou Diallo replacing the injured Patrick McEleney, who had surgery this week on his broken elbow.
The home side started on the front foot and went close to breaking the deadlock on two occasions in the opening minutes, but Clarke kept out both efforts.
Hoban’s spectacular overhead kick was parried away by Clarke and Patching’s follow-up shot from the edge of the box was superbly handled by the United goalkeeper.
Soon after a teasing left-wing cross by Duffy found an unmarked Paul McMullan at the back post, but the winger failed to trouble Clarke and side-footed wide.
Clarke had to make another double save on 41 minutes, this time doing well to keep out Patching’s close-range shot and getting up in time to turn over Hoban’s follow-up shot
Derry had a half-chance early in the second half but Duffy’s left-footed volley on 53 minutes failed to trouble Clarke and flew wide.
Soon after, a Ben Doherty right-wing corner found Hoban at the back post, but the striker’s downward header was booted off the line by United substitute Stephen Walsh.
Derry deservedly took the lead on 65 minutes as Doherty found Duffy down the left and his cross found an in-coming Patching, who slotted the ball high into Clarke’s top left corner.
The Candystripes sealed the points on 86 minutes as Cameron Dummigan’s crossfield pass found Daniel Kelly, the subtitute’s right-wing cross was turned home from close range by a sliding Hoban.
Elsewhere on Friday, Shelbourne beat Dundalk 1-0.
Derry City Maher, Dummigan, Connolly, S McEleney, Doherty (McJannet 88); Diallo (Boyce 76), O’Reilly, Patching (Mullen 90); McMullan (Kelly 76), Hoban, Duffy.
Galway United Clarke, Esua, Slevin, Brouder, Kazeem; McCarthy, McCormack, Nugent (Hickey 69), Hurley (Lomboto 69), Dervin (Walsh 53); O’Sullivan (Gaxha 82).
Referee Eoghan O’Shea (Tipperary)