Michael Duffy wonder goal earns Tiernan Lynch his first win as Derry City manager

Derry City 1

Bohemians 0

What a difference a week makes. Tiernan Lynch is off and running as Derry City manager as Michael Duffy's wonder goal earned the hosts a deserved win at the Brandywell. 

Everything that City were lacking against Shelbourne last week, was evident here as they earned the three points with a passionate display against a Bohs side high on confidence following their victory over Shamrock Rovers. 

It was a memorable night for Lynch, who was red carded just 12 minutes into his Brandywell debut, dismissed alongside Bohemians manager Alan Reynolds after both sets of players and staff became involved in a fracas on the touchline.

At that stage, City already led thanks to Duffy’s superb free-kick, after City started well in response to last week’s defeat at Shelbourne.

The home side should have taken the lead just 70 seconds into the game as Adam O’Reilly raced through the centre and played a ball in behind Kian Best to put Dom Thomas in on goal. The winger took a touch but couldn’t beat James Talbot who came quickly out of his goal to deflect the ball behind for a corner.

The Brandywell fans were on their feet just 10 minutes into the game when Duffy found the net with a sensational free-kick to open the scoring. Duffy, fouled by Rob Cornwall, picked himself up to sent a bullet effort past Talbot from close to 30 yards.

Referee Marc Lynch then took centre stage as he produced red cards for both managers – Lynch dismissed 12 minutes into his Brandywell debut, alongside Reynolds, after a fracas broke out on the touchline, with players and staff from both teams getting involved.

On the pitch, it was just as frantic, and Bohs, who barely got out of their half in the early stages, should have equalised midway through the half when Best’s free kick from the left side of the City penalty area was met by Lys Mousset, but the striker directed a free header over the bar.

A mistake from Liam Smith almost led to a second City goal 10 minutes before the break. The full-back gifted the ball to Liam Boyce, who spread it right to Thomas, and the winger’s drilled effort right across the face of goal beat Talbot but also eluded Boyce, who just needed a touch to turn it into the net.

With the hosts struggling to deal with a strong wind in the second half, Bohs took control for the first time in the game and chances inevitably followed, Connor Parsons coming closest when he got on the end of a cross from Smith, but his glancing header sailed wide of Brian Maher’s goal.

The Brandywell lit up in the 58th minute in tribute to lifelong City fan Vinny Cunningham, who passed way recently, and that tribute almost coincided with a second goal as Thomas’ centre was almost turned in by O’Reilly, but the midfielder couldn’t direct his header on target.

Bohs pushed late on, but were unable to carve out one final chance with Lynch watching on from the stands as the final whistle confirmed his first victory.

Teams

Derry City: B Maher, R Boyce, M Connolly, S Todd, S Ferguson (B Doherty 61’), S Diallo (R Benson 61’), C Winchester, A O’Reilly, M Duffy, D Thomas (P McMullan 82’) , L Boyce (P Hoban 73’).

Bohemians: J Talbot, L Smith, K Best (K Buckley 72’), N Morahan (A McDonnell 60’), R Cornwall (S Grehan HT’), C Parsons, D Devoy, R Brennan (D Rooney 60’), L Kavanagh, R Tierney, L Mousset (C Whelan 72’).

Referee: Marc Lynch.