Bohemians 2 Derry City 3: Cork City boss Damien Richardson wil be hoping his side are on form tonight after second placed Derry City knocked the Leesiders off their perch for 48 hours at least.
The Candystripes had been snapping at Cork's heels since the Leesiders inflicted Derry's last defeat at the end of May. And although Bohemians had threatened to spoil Stephen Kelly's return to the Phibsboro venue the Derry City manager had the last laugh.
A brace from Mark Farren settled this issue and with a date with UCD to come in the League Cup final Derry's fortunes continue to improve. Their win last night put them a point above City, having played two games more. Bohemians manager Garrett Farrelly had included himself in midfield in the absence of suspended Kevin Hunt and having stolen a late victory over St Patrick's Athletic last week, Bohemians were intent on continuing their climb up the league table.
Derry had taken the lead on 26 minutes after Bohemians had embarked on a promising move down the left but when John Paul Kelly's low cross was intercepted Derry laid a quick counter-attack with a long ball arriving into the feet of Farren. His shot from the edge of the box seemed harmless enough but it took an awkward bounce at the last moment to go under the body of Bohemians goalkeeper Matt Gregg.
Derry's goal had come against the run of play with Bohemians at one stage forcing three corners on the trot and Derry defender Kevin Deery was forced to get in an interception as Tony Grant sized up a shot inside the area.
David Forde pulled off a very important save under his crossbar after Fergal Harkin had sent in a teasing cross from the flanks. But despite the concession of that early goal Bohemians' patience was eventually to pay off when they equalised 10 minutes before half time.
The goal had come after Derry City centre-half Clive Delaney had clumsily given possession away inside his own penalty area. Tony Grant was on the loose ball like a flash and his deft chip over Forde looked destined for the back of the net only to come back off the crossbar. Luckily for Bohemians, Stephen Ward was on hand to turn home the rebound in what proved the final action of the first half.
The second half began promisingly enough with Derry's work ethic very much in evidence around the middle. Alan Murphy was very impressive at centre midfield while the introduction of Killian Brennan for Stephen O'Flynn gave the visitors more attacking options.
It was Brennan who supplied the cross for Clive Delaney whose header shortly after the restart went just inches wide. But with Farrelly holding things together for Bohemians in the midfield the home side began to get on top with Fergal Harkin going from strength to strength down the right hand side and after Farrelly had come close with an effort the Bohemians player manager then set up the second goal on 54 minutes.
Farrelly crossed from the right and after two attempts Stephen Ward scrambled the ball over the line but within two minutes Derry had restored parity when Garrett McGlynn latched onto a through ball from Murphy to hit the ball first time beyond Gregg.
And although Farrelly came close from a free Derry claimed victory with five minutes to go when Farren connected with his head at the near post following a cross from the by-line by Murphy.
BOHEMIANS: Gregg; Rice, Palmer, Oman, Keddy; Harkin, Farrelly, O'Brien, Kelly; Ward, Grant. Replacements: O'Keeffe for O'Brien (85); Collins for Palmer (88).
DERRY CITY: Forde; Deery, Delaney, Hutton, Hargan; McGlynn, Molloy, Murphy, McCourt; O'Flynn, Farren. Replacements: K Brennan for O'Flynn (h.t.); Martyn for McCourt (73); D Brennan for K Brennan (88).
Referee: I Stokes (Dublin).
