Dundalk 3 Derry City 0
Derry City slumped to another defeat in the Airtricity Premiership following yet another disappointing display against title-chasing Dundalk in Oriel Park.
Michael Rafter, unlucky not to be awarded a penalty.
City are now in fifth position in the league as they have bben overtaken on goal difference by Shamrock Rovers who defeated Drogheda United 3-1.
With only four games left, the Brandywell club are 12 points behind Sligo Rovers who currently occupy the guaranteed third Europa qualifying spot. Indeed, it looks like Derry’s only hope of playing in Europe rests with either Dundalk, Rovers or Sligo winning the FAI Cup. Even then it would be a “tall order,” as they would need to win all four remaining games.
Richie Towell was the Dundalk hero, bagging a hat-trick which ensures European football will return to Oriel Park next season.
City boss Declan Devine made three changes to the side that lost on their travels to Bohemians. Out went Ryan McBride (suspended), Michael Duffy and David McDaid who were replaced by former Lilywhite Eoghan Osborne, Patrick McEleney and captain Barry Molloy.
Derry started the brighter and were unfortunate not to be awarded a penalty after five minutes when Michael Rafter appeared to be taken down in the box by home keeper Peter Cherrie, but referee Graham Kelly waved play on.
Patrick McEleney had a good effort saved by Cherrie following a flick from Patterson before Towell struck with two goals inside to put the home side firmly in command of the game.
Early in the second half, Rafter then had a free-kick strike the wall for City and Higgins shot well wide from distance as the visitors looked for a route back into the game.
However, Towell put the game beyond Derry’s reach in the 66th when he got on the end of a of a Byrne pass to confidently beat City keeper Doherty for his ninth goal of the season.
DUNDALK: Peter Cherrie; Mark Rossiter(c)(John Sullivan 69), Andy Boyle, Brian Gartland, Dane Massey; Chris Shields, Richie Towell(John Mountney 90); Darren Meenan, John Dillon, Kurtis Byrne; Patrick Hoban(Vinny Faherty 61).
Unused substitutes: Tiarnan Mulvenna, Simon Kelly, Francis McCaffrey, Conor Winn (GK). Booked: Meenan(32), Byrne(40), Dillon(75).
DERRY CITY: Gerrard Doherty; Simon Madden, Shane McEleney, Dean Jarvis; Eoghan Osborne(Patrick Kavanagh 59); Patrick McEleney(Mark Griffin 77), Ruaidhri Higgins, Barry Molloy(c), Barry McNamee; Rory Patterson, Michael Rafter. Unused substitutes: Ryan Curran, Raymond Foy, David McDaid, Michael Duffy, Eugene Ferry (GK).
