SSE Airtricity Premier Division: Derry City 2 Dundalk 1
Derry City ended their 2026 campaign the same way they started it — with a win — this time seeing off Dundalk at the Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium.
Once again, captain Michael Duffy was the match‑winner, and in doing so he became the club’s top scorer against Dundalk, moving ahead of Liam Coyle with seven goals against his former side.
Interim boss Mark Connolly, who welcomed back goalkeeper Brian Maher for his first appearance in eight matches, will be delighted to finish with another three points. It also marks Derry’s seventh victory since returning home from Celtic Park.
The home side broke the deadlock in comical fashion. Ellis Chapman slipped as he struck his close‑range effort, which was blocked on the line by Egor Vassenin, but James Clarke reacted quickest to turn the loose ball home.
Derry almost doubled their lead moments later when a slick passing move ended with Duffy slipping in Brandon Fleming, but the left‑back’s close‑range strike was well saved by Enda Minogue.
With momentum building, Derry threatened again. Darragh Burns’ clever flick released Adam O’Reilly, whose powerful drive flew just over the crossbar.
Dundalk created their first opening on 25 minutes when Aodh Dervin’s 25‑yard strike was held comfortably by Maher. The visitors pushed forward late in the half, with Tom Grivosti, Ronan Teahan and Trevor Clarke all forcing saves from the Derry keeper.
On the hour mark, Chapman split the Dundalk defence with a superb pass to Clarke, but Minogue again denied the midfielder from a tight angle.
Derry doubled their advantage with a stunning team goal on 71 minutes. Substitute Darragh Markey broke from midfield and found Burns, whose clever back‑flick released Duffy. The skipper made no mistake, drilling low into Minogue’s bottom‑left corner.
Deep into stoppage time, youngster Terence Doherty almost produced a spectacular third, trying his luck from the halfway line. Minogue scrambled back anxiously, but the ball drifted wide.
Dundalk did pull one back eight minutes later when substitute Shane Tracey blasted home, giving Maher no chance, but it proved only a consolation.
Derry City: Maher, Dummigan (Barr 86), Stott, McClean, Fleming; Twisk, Chapman, O’Reilly (Markey 68); Burns (Whyte 72), Clarke (Doherty 86), Duffy (Dos Santos 72).
Dundalk: Minogue, Burns, Dervin, Horgan, Teahan, Clarke (Dillon 69), Vassenin (Cornwall 56), Buckley (Tracey 69), Wilson (Warren 69), McDaid (Groome 56), Grivosti.
Referee: Marc Lynch
