Derry City are off the mark for the SSE Airtricity Men’s Premier Division season after a 1-0 win over Bohemians at the Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium.
The Candystripes took the lead after just 10 minutes through a wonderful free kick on the right hand side from Michael Duffy, beating James Talbot as the ball sailed into the top right hand corner.
Just two minutes later, Derry’s Shane Ferguson committed a heavy challenge and afterwards shoved Bohs manager Alan Reynolds. This saw the two teams embroiled in a touchline scuffle.
Both managers would be sent to the stands for standing outside their respective technical areas.
Four minutes later, Ronan Boyce received a yellow card for a high challenge which many thought should’ve been red.
Just four minutes later, Boyce was guilty of another foul, this time on Connor Parsons.
The resulting free kick saw Kian Best lift a lovely cross from the left hand side into Lys Mousset, the striker hitting the resultant header over Brian Maher’s crossbar.
Bohs created nothing of real note in the second half, with the best chance coming in the 53rd minute, as Connor Parsons failed to keep his header on target from a Liam Smith cross from the right hand side.
Bohs threatened in second half added time, when Adam McDonnell got on the end of a loose ball from Ben Doherty’s slide challenge.
The ball then fell to Ross Tierney, whose low driven shot was hit to the left and wide to cap off an in truth disappointing evening for Bohs.
The Gypsies now look forward to next Friday’s match at the opposite end of the country, when they travel to Cork City.
Derry City now await the arrival of Waterford to Foyleside, in what is a second consecutive home fixture.