Derry City finally gave their fans something to smile about when they defeated their northwest rivals Finn Harps, at the Brandywell yesterday.
Minus the services of their injured star striker, Liam Coyle, Derry controlled the midfield area with Paul Hegarty and Eamon Doherty in total command.
However, the pattern of the game could have taken on a different scenario had the referee awarded Finn Harps what appeared a clear-cut penalty in the 42nd minute. Derry's young central defender Darren Kelly appeared to push James Mulligan to the ground as the Harps striker stormed into the penalty area. However, referee, Hubert Byrne, immediately waved play on.
Up until that point both sides had opportunities to break the deadlock but the "miss of the season" must be credited to Harps striker, Jonathan Speak in the 16th minute.
From six yards, Speak attempted to side-foot the ball home following a fine lay-off from James Mulligan, but he could only find the side netting.
However, after the break the home side grabbed the breakthrough their dominance deserved when Michael McHugh struck for the second weekend in succession, receiving Declan Boyle's long upfield punt and weaving his way into the danger area before driving a low shot beyond the reach of the advancing Brian McKenna.
Derry City: Platt; Gauld, Kelly, Curran, McCallion; Hutton, Hegarty, Doherty, McCready; McCaul, M McHugh. Subs: McLaughlin for Gauld (67 mins), Gilmore for McCaul (82 mins).
Finn Harps: McKenna; Scanlon, Boyle, Dykes, Minnock; Mohan, O'Brien, McGettigan, K McHugh; Speak, Mulligan. Subs: Harkin for McGettigan (53 mins), McGrenaghan and Kavanagh for McHugh and O'Brien respectively (both 69 mins).
Referee: H Byrne (Dublin).
