Michael Duffy goal earns Derry City victory over Ballymena United at the Brandywell

Derry City 1

Ballymena United 0

Michael Duffy’s second-half goal earned Derry City a narrow win over Ballymena United as the club’s pre-season preparations continued at a freezing Brandywell.

It has been a profitable week for Duffy, who also scored two in the Billy Kee Memorial Cup win over Institute on Tuesday, with his strike deciding a game which will be remembered for the number of chances the home side failed to take.

City’s careless finishing was possible the only frustration for manager Tiernan Lynch, but with Pat Hoban making his first appearance of pre-season, the Candystripes at least have no shortage of attacking options with the new season just two weeks away.  

Patrick McEleney was the most notable opposition player on show, the sight of the former Derry City captain, now part of the club’s coaching team, in opposition colours at the Brandywell after the last two years at the Brandywell, a real talking point for supporters.

It was the home side who created the first real chance of the game midway through the first half when Ronan Boyce and Paul McMullan linked well on the right and the full back’s low cross was met by Adam O’Reilly who hooked a shot just the wrong side of the post.

There was a moment of controversy just before the half hour mark when Daithi McCallion intercepted Liam Boyce’s pass inside the penalty area. Claims for a handball from the supporters were turned away by the official, but his assistant, who seemed to have a clear view of the incident, signalled for a penalty. The referee was still not convinced however, and after a quick consultation, he stuck with his original view and play continued, much to the chagrin of the City supporters, and City boss Tiernan Lynch.

Paul McMullan was certainly on the mood for goals and he went close twice in quick succession, first bringing a save from goalkeeper Sam Johnston with a vicious effort from a tight angle, before good work from Liam Boyce set the winger up from 18 yards, but again Johnston was in the way.

Half Time 0-0

Mark Connolly had his head in his hands just two minutes into the second half as he somehow missed a free header from just a few yards out, heading Robbie Benson’s free kick onto the base of the post before a relieved Johnston gathered the ball on his line.

The ball just wouldn’t go in for Derry City and that was a massive relief for former Candystripe McCallion, who headed Sadou Diallo’s cross off his own upright just past the hour mark.

The Ballymena goal was living a charmed life, as another clear cut chance came and went for the home side, this time Paul McMullan slicing a shot right across the face of goal and wide when it seemed he was certain to score.

The arrival of Pat Hoban on 65 minutes was a welcome sight for Derry City fans, last season’s top scorer making his first appearance of pre-season after a hamstring injury at the end of the 2024 run-in.

Hoban almost created the goal the fans were hoping for as the game drifted towards its final 10 minutes, as he played a one-two with McMullan, sending the winger in on goal, but the busy Johnston was out quickly and bravely to block.

The goal finally came with seven minutes remaining, and it was a result of quick thinking from McMullan, who took a free kick quickly before Ballymena could react, and sent Michael Duffy in to sweep his third goal of the week at the Brandywell.

Ballymena created one chance of note in the 90 minutes when substitute Jonathan McMurray led a late break away and set up fellow Bub Joe Moore, but his effort was well-saved by Arlo Doherty, in one of the very few touches the City goalkeeper had all evening.

Hoban thought he had a goal to his name in the last minute when he touched in a cross from Dom Thomas, but an offside flag denied him.

Teams

Derry City: Arlo Doherty, Trialist A, Mark Connolly, Sam Todd, Adam O’Reilly, Sadou Diallo, Robbie Benson, Paul McMullan, Liam Boyce, Michael Duffy.

Subs used: Dom Thomas, Pat Hoban,

Ballymena United: Sam Johnston, Aaron Jarvis, Daithi McCallion, Stephen O’Donnell, Conor Barr, Trialist , Donal Rocks, Patrick McEleney, Kian Corbally, Andy Scott, Success Edogun.

Subs used: James Hood, Luke Hawe, Joe Moore, Jonathan McMurray,

Referee: Warren Harvey.