Derry teenage hero Terence Doherty hits double to rescue point

Teenager Terence Doherty was the hero at the Showgrounds on Friday evening, scoring twice to drag Derry City FC back from two goals down at half-time and earn the Candystripes a share of the spoils in their final league outing of 2026.

It has been a difficult season for everyone involved with Derry City, but interim manager Mark Connolly could not hide his delight at the performance of his rotated squad, particularly the quality shown by the club’s emerging young players in claiming a point on the west coast.

Doherty made his first full senior start for the Candystripes, as did Callum Downey. Liam Kelly, who provided the assist for the equalising goal, came off the bench in the second half alongside 17-year-old Yoann Prigent.

Speaking after the game, Connolly praised the desire and mentality of his side. The youthful influx ultimately helped turn the tide against a Sligo side reduced to 10 men, providing a timely boost of confidence and momentum ahead of Derry’s FAI Cup final showdown with Waterford next weekend.

“I’m buzzing. Sligo is never an easy game, and they were full strength more or less tonight. But the young lads came on and were just incredible. There’s always a bit of nerves, and you have to protect them and not just throw them in, but they are making my job for next week even harder again because they are throwing themselves into the mix.”

“I’m not usually too happy with a point, but certainly given that we were 2-0 down at half-time, I’m really proud of the desire and the need to get back into the game. I’m delighted for Terence. He’s such a wonderful boy. He was over at the end with his family, and it was a bit emotional with a few tears. What a great kid. He’s a super, super lad, been in with us for most of the season, and he’s just a breath of fresh air.”

“I thought he was absolutely excellent to do what he did at just 17 years of age. To see all the young lads tonight make their mark and then be with their parents, it’s just absolutely made my night. They should all be so, so proud.”

“These are super boys. We talk a lot about desire and determination. These lads came on and showed all of that. I’m just so proud of them all, and so proud of their parents for raising such wonderful young men.”

The emergence of the club’s academy talent has come at an ideal time, with the Candystripes preparing for a season-defining fixture against Waterford at the Aviva Stadium next weekend. Not only is the FAI Cup at stake, but a place in next year’s Europa League qualifying stages is also on offer for the winners.

Derry City have a proud tradition of producing top-class local talent, and it now appears that another generation is beginning to emerge at the Brandywell, with Doherty the latest youngster to make his mark on the senior stage.

The performances also strengthen Connolly’s hand ahead of what is certain to be a bruising encounter against the Blues in Dublin 4, with more players than ever putting themselves forward for involvement in the showpiece final.

“It’s fantastic for the club to see these academy lads come in and make a push for the first team. I’m just so proud of them, and it’s exciting times for Derry. The lads that came in tonight just followed that up and really showed what Derry City is all about, and I couldn’t be happier.”

“The momentum from tonight is massive. The first half I thought we actually did alright, but the goals that we conceded were really poor. We spoke on that at half-time. There were a lot of changes, so a lot of boys obviously hadn’t played much together, but that second half showed exactly the dig and desire that we’re all about.”

“The league is finished now. We haven’t been good enough this season, and we all know that. I think the past two months we’ve shown what we’re capable of, but now the full focus is on the cup final next week. It’s going to be a massive day next week, and I hope there won’t be too many people left in Derry.”