First half Waterford goals bring Derry crashing to earth

Kacper Radkowski of Waterford celebrates toward the travelling supporters after his side's victory over Derry. Pic: Ben McShane/Sportsfile

SSE Airtricity Premier Division: Derry City 1 (Hoban 64 pen) Waterford 2 (White 9, Radkowski 40) 

WATERFORD brought Derry City crashing back down to earth with a battling victory at Brandywell with two first half goals doing the damage on the night.

It was a first defeat in eight games for Derry against Waterford and a second loss in their opening three games under the stewardship of new boss Tiernan Lynch.

City boss Lynch was serving his one match suspension for his red card in the 1-0 win against Bohemians last Friday night and his brother and assistant boss Seamus was directing matters from the Derry dugout.

Lynch's final signing of nine in his significant first transfer window as City boss, Dumfries native Kevin Holt, arrived on deadline day from Dundee United and went straight into the starting line-up. He was one of three changes to the team which got their campaign up and running last Friday night against Bohemians. 

With Ronan Boyce ruled out through injury, in came Ciaron Harkin who last made an appearance for Derry against Waterford back in June last year following his second ACL tear. It was his first start since February 2022 and 104th Derry City appearance. Following a loan spell with Coleraine, it was a big moment for the Creggan native who slotted in at right back.

Former Portsmouth forward Gavin Whyte was handed his first start while Sam Todd and Sadou Diallo dropped to a formidable looking bench.

Waterford made the one change from the loss to the champions with White replacing Ryan Burke for his full debut.

Derry won all four matches against the Blues last season, scoring nine without reply, but were stunned early on as former Fleetwood Town midfielder Kyle White marked his first start with a clinical strike on nine minutes.

Polish defender Kacper Radkowski added a second when he rifled past Brian Maher at the near post from a tight angle five minutes before the break.

It could've been a lot worse for Derry in the second half as new signing Holt cleared Conan Noonan's strike off the line before substitute Pat Hoban pulled one back for Derry from the penalty spot four minutes after coming off the bench.

Fellow sub Robbie Benson somehow failed to hit the target late on when Adam O'Reilly found him inside the six yard box but Waterford were good value for the three points as they bounced back from last week's defeat to Shelbourne.

The Foylesiders travel to St Pat's on Monday night looking for an instant response while Waterford host Cork City in the Munster derby.

DERRY CITY: Maher 7; Harkin 6 (Todd 6, 60), Connolly 6, Holt 7, Ferguson 7 (Doherty 7, 60); Winchester 7, O'Reilly 7, Whyte 6 (Benson 5, 60), Thomas 7 (Hoban 7, 60), Boyce 5 (Patton 6, 73), Duffy 7.

WATERFORD: McMullan 7; Bakboord 7, Radkowski 8, Boyle 7, Leahy 8, White 8 (Glenfield 6, 74); McMenamy 7, McDonald 7, Noonan 7; Amond 8, Lonergan 7.

Referee: Aaron O'Dowd.

Man of the Match: Amond (Waterford)