Derry edge Sligo with slice of Duffy fortune

Derry's Michael Duffy and Jad Hakiki of Sligo

SSE Airtricity League Men’s Premier Division: Sligo Rovers 0, Derry City 1 (Michael Duffy 20)

DERRY City dug out a priceless win to move off the bottom of the table in a scrappy contest with fellow strugglers Sligo Rovers at The Showgrounds.

Michael Duffy’s fortuitious 20th-minute goal was the difference between the sides, a result that was only a second win in six games and their first away victory of 2025.

For this clash between what was before kick-off the top tier’s bottom two, Derry were looking to rid themselves of something of a Sligo hoodoo, having not won at The Showgrounds since August 2021.

Sligo were unbeaten in their last two fixtures, with improvement after three losses from their opening three games, while Derry, who won just one of their previous five fixtures, were seeking a boost.

There was an edge to proceedings - the first north-west derby of the season - but clearcut openings were in short supply during the scrappy opening exchanges.

Sligo, who were marginally the better side early on, went close with a clever 16th-minute lob from Jad Hakiki, who was found by Reece Hutchison’s pass, but Derry’s Sam Todd got back to scramble the ball off the line at the expense of a corner.

Derry took an unexpected lead after 20 minutes when Michael Duffy, intending to curl a delivery into the box from the left flank, saw his effort go all the way into the net beyond the cover at the back post.

A Michael Duffy corner grazed the crossbar on its way out as Derry, boosted by taking the lead, began to take a foothold.

Midfield enforcer Sadou Diallo’s enforced withdrawal due to an arm injury was a blow for the visitors.

But goalscorer Michael Duffy was beginning to influence matters and a fiercely-struck cross-shot was parried by Sligo goalkeeper Conor Walsh.

The second half was similarly short of goal opportunities - for either side - as Jad Hakiki, recently called up to the Republic of Ireland U21 men’s squad, the most likely to create something for the home side.

A brave block from Liam Boyce denied Connor Malley’s effort from a free-kick, a 65th-minute set-piece won after a dazzling piece of footwork from Jad Hakiki that was ended by substitute Ciaron Harkin’s challenge.

A rare chance for the visitors saw substitute Danny Mullen crack a snapshot goalwards but it was straight at Conor Walsh.

Jad Hakiki was central to Sligo almost equalising in the 86th minute - the playmaker set up Stephen Mallon for a well-struck effort that drew a brilliant save from Brian Maher.

Two minutes later, John Mahon’s header from close-range - Reece Hutchinson sent the ball in - was gathered by a relieved Brian Mahon as Sligo cranked up the pressure in the closing stages.

John Russell’s Sligo kept battling but ended up bottom of the standings come full-time.

SLIGO ROVERS: Walsh; Lintott (Mallon 46), Denham, Mahon, Hutchinson; Doyle-Hayes, Malley (Manning 78); van Hattum, Hakiki, Fitzgerald (Lomboto 78); Kavanagh 

DERRY CITY: Maher; Boyce, Cann, Connolly, Todd, Doherty; Diallo (Harkin 36), O’Reilly; Duffy, Thomas (Ferguson 46); Boyce (Mullen 69) 

Referee: Rob Hennessy  

Attendance: 3,712