Aaron McEneff opened Derry’s account this evening as the Candy Stripes ran out 2-1 winners.
DERRY City will be playing European football next season.
Two second half goals from Aaron McEneff and ‘Prodigal Son’ Rory Patterson earned the Candy Stripes a three point win.
The chance of Europa League football will help to bring in more money into the Brandywell coffers.
It will give manager Kenny Shiels more buying power in the market in trying to strengthen his team to challenge for a league title and cup wins.
Shiels has been a steadying hand on the Derry ship guiding them out of the doldrums and into the top four of the SSE Premier Division.
Bohemians took the lead on 17 minutes Kurtis Byrne broke the deadlock for Bohs giving Derry an early scare.
A minute later Rory Patterson came close when he watched his shot was cleared off the line at the Brandywell by a Bohs defender (kick off 7.45 pm).
On 28 minutes Aaron McEneff saw his shot crash off the Bohs crossbar.
There followed a series of chances for Derry: ten minutes before the break Ward has his shot saved by the Bohs keeper; Jarvis tapped in but the goal is disallowed as he was flagged offside; and on the stroke of half time Patterson hit the crossbar.
With all the pressure and all the chances, Derry still couldn’t find that goal before the half time break.
And within fives of the restart, Derry were awarded a penalty and McEneff slotted home from the spot to secure the equaliser. Derry had one foot in European football.
And Patterson scored the winner and the vital three points on 63 minutes which guaranteed Derry football in Europe again next season.
It was a marvellous achievement for Shiels in guiding Derry into European football in his first season in charge.
And it also great credit to the players who have turned around their team’s fortunes this season.
Well done to all at the Brandywell for a job well done.
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