The Derry City players managed to put the uncertainty hanging over the club's Premier Division status aside for 90 minutes when they beat Dundalk FC 2-1 at Oriel Park on Friday evening.
The Lilywhites took the lead in spectacular fashion when Mich
ael McGowan scored from inside his own half in the 22nd minute. McGowan's wondrous goal aside, Derry took full control of the game and equalised through a second half Gareth McGlynn penalty before Clive Delaney scored with only two minutes remaining.
The financial situation has been well documented in recent weeks and in an interview with the Sunday Journal two weeks ago, chairman Pat McDaid confirmed that several Derry City players will not have their contracts renewed.
Elsewhere, Cork City snatched a point when they drew 2-2 with Galway United in Terryland Park. Despite Derry's victory the Rebels finish third, one point ahead of Derry, and will qualify for next season's Europe League.
Meanwhile, Pat Fenlon's Bohemians retained the League of Ireland Premier Division title when they finished their season off with 1-1 draw with Bray Wanderers at the Carlisle Grounds.
Derry City's in form forward David McDaid went close to scoring his fourth goal in four matches when he cut inside the Dundalk defence in the third minute. Although a decent effort, the teenager could only watch on as his shot was tipped over the bar by Dundalk goalkeeper Peter Cherrie.
Derry winger James McClean had his 10th minute effort on goal cleared off the line by Dundalk defender Simon Kelly. After impressive work on the left from Ger O'Brien the ball fell to McClean just inside the Dundalk penalty area. Instantaneously he sent his shot towards goal only for Kelly to clear the danger at the last second.
Seconds later Derry forward Thomas Stewart attempted to take advantage of a loose ball outside the Dundalk area but the former Linfield player's effort was straight at Cherrie.
Derry midfielder Kevin Deery was shown the yellow card dissent by referee Derek Tomney in the 14th minute.
Michael McGowan attempted the magnificent when he shot from outside the Derry area in the 22nd minute. Although the Dundalk winger's shot appeared to be going wide Derry 'keeper Gerard Doherty reacted brilliantly and smothered the ball with both hands
Sean Connor's team took the lead in the 26th minute when Michael McGowan scored probably one of the most spectacular goals of his career.
Inches inside his own half, McGowan noticed that Derry 'keeper Gerard Doherty was off his line and proceeded to majestically lob the ball over the Creggan man's head.
Derry defender Ger O'Brien crossed from on the left in the 33rd minute but Thomas Stewart headed wide of the post.
In the 34th minute Gareth McGlynn floated a corner into the Dundalk six-yard box. James McClean looked set to score but like Stewart's header seconds earlier, it failed to force a save from Cherrie.
McClean, who was probably one of Derry's best players in the first half, twisted and turned outside the Dundalk area in the 45th minute. Sadly the 19-year-old's effort went inches wide of the post.
No sooner had the second half started and Derek Tomney awarded Derry City a penalty. As Gareth McGlynn sent a corner kick towards the Dundalk area Tomney pointed to the spot. Gareth McGlynn placed the ball on the white dot and kept his nerve to slot the ball to Cherrie's right in the 47th minute.
Dundalk forward Darren Mansaram was booked in the 49th minute after he fouled Derry central midfielder Barry Molloy.
Dundalk captain, Thomas Heary burst forward in the 56th minute but the central defender's shot was straight at Doherty.
Nathan Murphy was shown a yellow card when appeared to obstruct the run of Derry winger Gareth McGlynn in the 58th minute.
Heary came to his team's rescue when he cleared a well timed Tam McManus cross over the bar in the 62nd minute.
McManus found space on the right and sent his cross towards the inrushing Thomas Stewart at the back post. Heary's interception forced Cherrie into action as he tipped the ball over the crossbar.
Minutes later and Darren Mansaram appeared to hand ball inside his own area but referee Tomney waved away Derry's appeal for a penalty.
Dundalk received their third red card in two games when Darren Mansaram was sent off for a second bookable offence in the 72nd minute after he fouled Gareth McGlynn.
Derry defender Clive Delaney headed wide from the resulting free kick.
Second half substitute Tam McManus out muscled the Dundalk defenders on the edge of their own area in the 74th minute but his eventual shot was an easily saved by Cherrie.
Clive Delaney ensured that Derry finished their troubled league campaign with a victory when he headed a James McClean corner past Cherrie in the 88th minute.
Stephen Kenny's team were head and shoulders above Dundalk for the majority of the game and took full advantage of their one man advantage.
As the curtains came down on Derry City's season the players made their way towards the travelling supporters. The outpouring of emotion from the fans was touching and one or two them climbed over the barricade to embrace long serving captain Peter Hutton who plays his final game for the Brandywell club on Tuesday night against St. Patrick's Athletic in the Setanta Cup.
Man of the Match: James McClean (Derry City) - The young Derry winger performed admirably. He chased down every loose ball and was not afraid to challenge for possession. McClean's moment of the match came in the 88th minute when he crossed for Clive Delaney to score the winning goal.
DUNDALK FC: (4-4-1-1) Peter Cherrie; Nathan Murphy, Thomas Heary, Liam Burns, Chris Turner; Michael McGowan (Martin McGowan 88 mins), Michael Coburn, Michael Daly, Simon Kelly (Philip Duffy 90 mins); Ger Rowe (Mark Griffin 58 mins) , Darren Mansaram.
Subs not used: Ciaran McGuigan, Chris Bennion.
DERRY CITY: (4-4-2) Gerard Doherty; Eddie McCallion, Clive Delaney, Peter Hutton, Ger O'Brien; Barry Molloy (Ruaidhri Higgins 83rd min), Kevin Deery, Gareth McGlynn, James McClean; Thomas Stewart (David Scullion 69 mins), David McDaid (Tam McManus 56 mins).
Subs not used: Ciaran Martyn, Pat Jennings.
REFEREE: Mr. Derek Tomney (Dublin).
Dundalk received their third red card in two games when Darren Mansaram was sent off for a second bookable offence in the 72nd minute after he fouled Gareth McGlynn.
Derry defender Clive Delaney headed wide from the resulting free kick.
Second half substitute Tam McManus out muscled the Dundalk defenders on the edge of their own area in the 74th minute but his eventual shot was an easily saved by Cherrie.
Clive Delaney ensured that Derry finished their troubled league campaign with a victory when he headed a James McClean corner past Cherrie in the 88th minute.
Stephen Kenny's team were head and shoulders above Dundalk for the majority of the game and took full advantage of their one man advantage.
As the curtains came down on Derry City's season the players made their way towards the travelling supporters. The outpouring of emotion from the fans was touching and one or two them climbed over the barricade to embrace long serving captain Peter Hutton who plays his final game for the Brandywell club on Tuesday night against St. Patrick's Athletic in the Setanta Cup.
Man of the Match: James McClean (Derry City) - The young Derry winger performed admirably. He chased down every loose ball and was not afraid to challenge for possession. McClean's moment of the match came in the 88th minute when he crossed for Clive Delaney to score the winning goal.
DUNDALK FC: (4-4-1-1) Peter Cherrie; Nathan Murphy, Thomas Heary, Liam Burns, Chris Turner; Michael McGowan (Martin McGowan 88 mins), Michael Coburn, Michael Daly, Simon Kelly (Philip Duffy 90 mins); Ger Rowe (Mark Griffin 58 mins) , Darren Mansaram.
Subs not used: Ciaran McGuigan, Chris Bennion.
DERRY CITY: (4-4-2) Gerard Doherty; Eddie McCallion, Clive Delaney, Peter Hutton, Ger O'Brien; Barry Molloy (Ruaidhri Higgins 83rd min), Kevin Deery, Gareth McGlynn, James McClean; Thomas Stewart (David Scullion 69 mins), David McDaid (Tam McManus 56 mins).
Subs not used: Ciaran Martyn, Pat Jennings.
REFEREE: Mr. Derek Tomney (Dublin).
