Bohemians 2

Report: Andrew Quinn

Photos: Lorcan Doherty

Brandywell Stadium

Sometimes football matches are about much more than merely the result. Some Derry City fans may look to Aaron Nash's heroic last minute winner against Cork City in March. Others may cite the tenacity the team displayed when coming from behind to beat Shamrock Rovers 2-1 in the Tallaght Stadium.

One thing is for certain - Friday evening's dramatic 3-2 win over league leaders and defending champions Bohemians was most certainly one of those games. For twenty minutes in the second half, Derry City looked capable of beating any side in the league. They were awesome.

Stephen Kenny needed the team to perform collectively on Friday and that was just what he got. Striker Thomas Stewart continued his goal scoring streak while Mark Farren, who netted three against Drogheda United last Friday, scored the second.

When Barry Molloy scored to give Derry a priceless two goal lead in the 74th minute, fans, management and journalists started to think: 'You know what - Derry should win this one.'

Ciaran Martyn and Kevin Deery were heroic in midfield while the defensive display of Mark McChrystal in the second half was one of his best in the red and white jersey.

Two weeks ago, Derry lost 1-0 at home to Dundalk. It was the nadir of their season to date. But the way in which the team has answered its critics is nothing short of admirable.

Derry's last two results - last weekend's 3-0 win over Drogheda and Fridat night’s 3-2 victory over the league leaders - can not fail to inspire even the most pessimistic of naysayers. They’re right back in title contention and with a team that can go all the way.

Derry enjoyed long periods of possession in the first half but their testing of Bohemians goalkeeper, Brian Murphy, left a lot to be desired.

In the ninth minute, Ciaran Martyn managed to find space on the right but his cross towards the waiting Mark Farren was easily gathered by Murphy.

Eddie McCallion conceded a free-kick in the 12th minute but Graham Carey’s left foot effort flashed past the post.

In the 14th minute, Derry’s Sammy Morrow went close to opening the scoring but he failed to connect with Mark Farren’s cross and, from close distance, Conor Powell cleared the danger.

The Gypsies took the lead in the 17th minute when former Drogheda United midfielder, Paul Keegan, scored from just inside the Derry penalty area.

Killian Brennan slotted the ball through to KEEGAN who arrived just in time to fire the ball through a myriad of players into the Derry net.