St Patrick's Athletic (1) - Derry City (0)

St Patrick's Athletic 1 - Derry City 0

Four became two in this title race for the ages but St Patrick's Athletic maintained their incredible winning run in Inchicore and are now in great shape to make European football again next season.

Brandon Kavanagh's blast a minute before the interval decided a game that will reign long in the memory – even if it will have no bearing, ultimately, on the title race, with Shelbourne doing the needful at home to Drogheda.

Now, only Shels or Shamrock Rovers can prevail at the summit – but it was not for the want of endeavour by the Camac.

Indeed, so impressive were Stephen Kenny's men in UEFA Conference League qualification combat this year, that platform is where they belong – but Derry can still ensure the same in 2025 by winning the FAI Cup.

Probability, permutations and prose were difficult to juggle as this frantic game was full of everything that makes the League of Ireland so special at the moment.

There was ample quality, no end of drama and a conclusion that ultimately will have both these sides wondering what they can achieve next season.

Derry deserved something but silverware can still be theirs in 2024, even if it will not be the league title.

Ex-Lincoln City youth Duncan Idehen made his first start for City, who have been especially badly hit with injuries of late, and Mark Connolly's suspension did not help matters, mere days after he was named in the Team of the Year.

Andre Wisdom, at left back and facing Zak Elbouzedi, was going to need all of his experience to compensate for a pace deficit; he did well. Up top, Patrick Hoban was not fit to start, but it was still a strong Derry side, with quality on the bench which they would surely need.

Wisdom was testing the wisdom of whistler Rob Hennessy – and his patience – after two fouls within ten absorbing if somewhat frantic opening minutes.

Paul McMullan did have a half-chance on the edge of the box on 13 but he skied over.

The opening half hour was cagey but things really livened up thereafter. Michael Duffy, hitherto quiet, crossed for Sadou Diallo who headed across goal and Wisdom was lurking but Saints survived.

Derry, who had little control of the game, fashioned their best chance shortly before Kavanagh made the most of his. Tom Grivosti pushed over Danny Mullen, who clasped the ball before he had gotten off his feet and cleverly played the free-kick to Adam O'Reilly, who rounded Joseph Anang but his weak shot was cleared away by Anto Breslin.

Kavanagh has been like a new player under Kenny and he had two bites at his opener. The ball initially deflected in his direction but Brian Maher did well to save with his legs; Derry had a let-off but a poor clearance from Shane McEleney went straight to Kavanagh. His touch, composure and poise with a half-volley was of such class as befitting his rare technical ability.

City have desperately missed Colm Whelan and he came on at the interval with 45 minutes to have a huge role in the title race, having scored at Oriel in the win over Dundalk a week ago.

And Whelan soon worked Anang, with Derry starting the second half much brighter and still having Patrick McEleney to call on off the bench.

His brother looked odds-on to see red on 52 minutes for a late challenge but replays illustrated that Hennessy, who had an excellent game, got the yellow spot on.

Things much more open now, McMullan set up space beautifully – but again he shot straight at Anang; one sensed a changing tide – and Whelan's absolute rocket off the bar from 25 yards seconds later had everyone gasping. What a player Derry have if they can keep him fit.

This was breathless and a Kavanagh corner just shy of the hour mark caused carnage, but Derry managed to clear; then a Jamie Lennon beauty of a pass had Kavanagh in but, somehow, of all players, he miscontrolled.

Within seconds, Patrick McEleney made his introduction. This could only continue to captivate.

Midway through the half, an indication of a Saints side changed so much since Kenny came in: Chris Forrester frantically chased down Will Patching towards the Derry goal but the Candystripes kept the ball and what followed was truly extraordinary.

Mullen was free down the right and his cross saw Redmond, in desperation, collide with Anang. Wisdom collected at the back post, it hit off Anang, and the former West Ham goalkeeper then made a truly incredible block when Duffy looked certain to score and then some.

"This is the biggest crowd in over a decade in Richmond Park," announced the man on the tannoy and nobody was leaving with nearly half an hour still to enjoy.

Aidan Keena then tried to catch Maher off his line about 60 yards out, but Derry were in the ascendancy, Kavanagh taken off to a standing ovation and replaced by left-back Al-Amin Kazeem. The Saints were looking for a little more defensive quality.

Derry began to load the pressure on. Lennon was lucky not to be booked for upending Whelan; the free-kick from Duffy came to nothing. Then Lennon nipped in to intercept from Whelan, who was about to strike in the box, after fine play from Patrick McEleney.The sort of wizardry few would try, let alone execute, almost summed up Forrester with eight minutes left, save for his shot going wide.

Breslin's defensive interventions of late have gone beyond heroic for Pat's and he bravely denied Whelan as Derry pursued an equaliser in vain.

Two sorry souls shy of 5,000 bore witness, the roar at full-time not consistent with the end of the home side's title ambitions. They know, as does Kenny, that something tangible and special has begun.

© rte.ie

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St Patrick's Athletic 1 - Derry City 0

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