Derry ease past Sligo but McClean future looks uncertain

Derry City ended a topsy-turvy week with a comfortable SSE Airtricity Men's Premier Division victory over bottom side Sligo Rovers at the Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium.

With manager Tiernan Lynch and his assistant, and brother, Seamus both leaving the club by mutual consent and replaced by the club's director of football Mark Connolly on an interim basis, the Foylesiders secured the points thanks to second-half goals from Barry Cotter and Adam O'Reilly.

Ex-Republic of Ireland international James McClean's future with his home town club looks to be in doubt. Before kick-off, he posted a picture on social media that suggested he was at home watching his former club Wrexham take on Middlesbrough in the Carabao Cup on TV.

McClean had on a number of occasions criticised Derry during Lynch's reign and his absence tonight may cast doubt over his long-term future.

Derry, who had a half chance on five minutes when Liam Boyce headed over when well placed, were denied by the woodwork 10 minutes later.

Brooklyn Lyons-Foster, who was playing left-back, saw his outside-of-the-right-foot centre find James Clarke at the back post, but the midfielder's diving header, which had Rovers keeper Sam Sargeant beaten, came crashing back off the post.

Soon after Burns' clever pass picked out Michael Duffy, who got away from Jeannot Esua, but his left-footed strike sailed just past the post and was inches away from being converted by a diving Clarke.

Another slick passing move on 39 minutes saw Duffy find Burns, but the winger's left-footed shot was straight at Sargeant, who easily parried the effort away.

The home side finally broke the deadlock on 54 minutes as Burns' inswinging right wing corner to the back post found Cotter, who's powerful header was just too much for Sargeant

Moments later Derry were denied by the woodwork for a second time as Duffy's powerful 25-yard strike, which had Sargeant beaten all ends up, rattled against the crossbar.

The hosts deservedly added a second on 63 minutes. A lovely cushioned lay-off by Boyce found the in-rushing O'Reilly, who made no mistake as he side-footed home from 12 yards.

Sargeant was called into action on 78 minutes as at full stretch he did well to keep out Conor Barr's powerful strike.

And right at the death Duffy saw his 20-yard stinging drive pushed away by a diving Sargeant.

Derry City: Brian Maher, Barry Cotter (James Olayinka 74), Cameron Dummigan, Patrick McClean, Brooklyn Lyons-Foster; Nick Twisk (Tyler Smith 74), Adam O'Reilly, James Clarke; Darragh Burns (Conor Barr 64), Liam Boyce (Ellis Chapman 83), Michael Duffy.

Sligo Rovers: Sam Sargeant, Sebastian Quirk (Jamie McGonigle 64), Jack Shorrock, Cian Kavanagh, Oliver Denham, Carl McHugh, Trey George (James McManus 55), Kyle McDonagh (Sean Stewart 64), Ryan O'Kane (Alex Nolan 55), Jeannot Esua, Gareth McElroy.

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