Two goals from Sean Murray and Patrick Hoban helped Dundalk beat Derry City at the Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium as Declan Devine's side slumped to their first home defeat of the season. Nearly two years to the day since the late Ryan McBride nod
Two goals from Sean Murray and Patrick Hoban helped Dundalk beat Derry City at the Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium as Declan Devine's side slumped to their first home defeat of the season.
Nearly two years to the day since the late Ryan McBride nodded Derry to victory at Maginn Park against Stephen Kenny's Dundalk, the Lone Moor Road outfit failed to produce anywhere near the power and determination shown in Inishowen on that day.
Neither side created many clear opportunities on a bitter night on Foyleside and both sets of players were guilty of giving away possession too easily and too often. Just after the half-hour mark and City sparked into life forcing Gary Rodgers into action.
The Dundalk goalkeeper parried away McNamee's free-kick from 20-yards before stopping several half chances from the resulting corner kick. However, Dundalk carried more of a cutting edge and took the lead in the tie in the 37th minute when Michael Duffy planted an exquisite cross into the danger area before Sean Murray capitalised - Derry failing to adequately clear the opposing threat.
In the second half, Derry City's challenge inclined as Peter Cheerie took out into the incoming Patrick Hoban and Ben Connolly didn't hesitate awarding a penalty-kick. As Hoban and Dundalk prepared themselves for spot-kick, Nathan Gartside readied himself for his first appearance of the season for the injured Cherrie.
However, the prolonged wait didn't phase the frontman as he fooled Gartside before running towards the jubilant travelling Lilywhite faithful with a 2-0 advantage.
