Derry City - 3 Bohemians - 1: Derry City closed the gap on Cork City to four points at the top of the Premier Division table following this thrilling encounter at the Brandywell last night. The home side left it late, however, netting two goals in the final 12 minutes to defeat Bohemians.
Bohemians player-manager Gareth Farrelly, out of the team himself through injury, lost the services of right back Stephen Rice who sustained what appeared a serious shoulder injury after just eight minutes. His replacement, Sean Cooney, lasted just 20 minutes, the defender forced off with a gash to his head following a challenge.
It got worse when experienced centre half Ken Oman was sent off in the 55th minute having been shown a second yellow card.
Despite the injuries it was the Dublin side who broke the deadlock when Derry's Barry Molloy forced the ball into his own net after Fergal Harkin had struck the post.
Derry restored equality in the 34th minute when Aiden Collins brought Killian Brennan to earth just as the Derry winger made his way into the penalty area and referee Hugo Whoriskey immediately pointed to the spot.
Derry central defender Peter Hutton stepped up and drove the ball wide of Bohemians goalkeeper Matt Gregg.
Oman's sending-off saw the home side push forward at every opportunity but Bohemians continued to battle with Kevin Hunt controlling affairs in the middle of the park, constantly frustrating the home side.
The Brandywell erupted when local lad Paddy McCourt made his debut for his home town club when entering the fray as a 76th minute substitute before Ciaran Martyn put the home side into the lead with nine minutes remaining. Brennan floated a free into the danger area and the midfielder guided the ball home from eight yards.
The home side ended the game as a contest in the 91st minute when a Gareth McGlynn clearance from defence was brought down by Des Byrne but Mark Farren dispossessed the defender before racing clear and curling the ball beyond the reach of the advancing Gregg.
DERRY CITY: Forde; Molloy, Delaney, Hutton, McChrystal; McGlynn, Martyn, Higgins, Brennan; Beckett, Farren. Subs: Cash for Molloy (67 mins), McCourt for McChrystal (76 mins), O'Flynn for Beckett (93 mins).
BOHEMIANS: Gregg; Rice, Oman, Palmer, Byrne; Harkin, Keddy, O'Keeffe; Ward, Foley. Subs: Cooney for Rice (8 mins), Collins for Cooney (28 mins), Duggan for Collins (78 mins).
Referee: H Whoriskey (Dublin).
Swedish side Djurgardens IF have confirmed that next week's Uefa Cup second qualifying round game against Cork City will take place at the Rasunda Stadium just outside Stockholm on Thursday evening, writes Emmet Malone.
The club had initially claimed that the ground was unavailable while their current home, Stockholm's Olympic Stadium, was unsuitable, but the difficulties have now been sorted out and the game will kick-off at 7.0 pm (6.0pm Irish time). City, meanwhile, have confirmed that the return leg will take place two weeks later, Thursday, August 25th, at Turner's Cross at 7.30.
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