DERRY City fell to their 20th league defeat of the season away at Richmond Park against St Patrick’s Athletic – in what could be Kenny Shiels last game in charge of the club – losing 5-0.
The embarrassing defeat comes off the back of several dreadful results since the summer for Derry City, having won only one of their last nine league games since August 3.
It was another underwhelming performance from the Candy Stripes – their staging showing very little faith in their manager.
In what was Shiels 125th game in charge of the Lone Moor Road outfit, Derry City once again showed their defensive frailties, conceding five goals and making it 70 goals conceded for the season – the worst in a single campaign.
First-half goals from Conor Clifford, who scored with a brilliant 25-yard strike, James Doona and Kevin Toner gave Harry Kenny’s side a comfortable lead at the interval.
It was a harsh scoreline in fairness to Shiels’ side, Derry having chances of their own in the opening 45 minutes, Eoin Toal missing from three yards before Gavin Peers missed from point-blank range.
It proved to be all too easy for St Pats’ against a Derry side who were without Gerard Doherty in goals, with the Derry City captain set to be contemplating his future at the club.
In the second half, Derry’s misery continued as their usual below par standards at the back continued, gifting the Saints another two goals to extend their lead.
After 55 minutes, Jake Keegan nodded home inside an unorganised 18-yard box and less than ten minutes later James Doona finished Derry City off on a superb counter-attack for his second of the evening.
The defeat leaves the Candy Stripes with an 8th place finish – a truly forgettable season for everybody involved, despite an EA Sports Cup victory in September against First Division side Cobh Ramblers.
Tags: