Derry City's frustrating season was compounded at the Brandywell on Saturday night when leftwinger, James Keddy was stretchered off after 29 minutes and will be out for the rest of the season. In what proved a lifeless game, Derry were also hindered with the 38th minute retirement of defender, Robbie Brunton, following an accidental challenge with Dundalk's Raymond Campbell. However, the impressive Campbell should have given his side the breakthrough in the 26th minute when he squandered the best chance of the game.
Dundalk appeared content to defend throughout the second half but Derry, without striker Liam Coyle who was ordered to bed with a severe 'flu, never looked like scoring after the break.
Derry City: O'Dowd; Doherty, Curran, Dykes, Brunton; Mohan, Bell, Taggart, Keddy; Hargan, Beckett. Subs: Boyle for Keddy (30 mins), Coyle for Brunton (38).
Dundalk: Williams; Reddish, Doohan, Brady, Crawley; Hoey, McNulty, Melvin, McQuilter, Campbell; Byrne.
Referee: G Perry (Dublin).
