Pressure mounting on Tiernan Lynch as Derry City fall to defeat against Galway United

Frantz Pierrot of Galway United celebrates after scoring his side's second goal during the SSE Airtricity Men's Premier Division match between Galway United and Derry City at Eamonn Deacy Park in Galway. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

Galway United 2 Derry City 1

FRANTZ Pierrot clinched a late winning goal for Galway United just two minutes after coming off the bench against Derry City at Eamonn Deacy Park, mounting pressure on underfire Brandywell boss Tiernan Lynch.

Galway leapfrogged the Candy Stripes who have now gone five matches without a win and languish in eighth spot after their fourth defeat in their opening nine fixtures. Alarmingly they've won only twice, against the only two teams below them in the table (Sligo and Waterford) during the first series of fixtures.

The preseason title contenders are now 11 points adrift of new leaders St Patrick's Athletic and show no signs of a revival in form.

Derry City manager Tiernan Lynch during the SSE Airtricity Men's Premier Division match between Galway United and Derry City at Eamonn Deacy Park in Galway. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

Derry fell behind after a stunning strike from David Hurley on 17 minutes which dipped into the bottom corner.

The visitors responded well at the start of the second half and James Clarke's brilliant individual effort on 63 minutes got them back in the game.

However, their defence was suspect throughout, requiring goalkeeper Eddie Beach to be at his best to deny Ed McCarthy when he found himself through one-on-one.

And substitute Pierrot decided the match with eight minutes remaining as he fired past Beach into the far corner to give Galway and deserved victory.

David Hurley is congratulated by Galway United team-mates Kris Twardek, left, and Stephen Walsh after scoring his side's first goal during the SSE Airtricity Men's Premier Division match between Galway United and Derry City at Eamonn Deacy Park in Galway. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

Lynch was dealt a major blow as skipper and top scorer Michael Duffy missed the game due to a knee injury. The winger, who has been involved in six of the team's 11 goals this season, missed out on a 56th consecutive league start.

Ex-Ireland international James McClean also missed his first game since returning to the club from Wrexham and joined his brother Patrick in the treatment room. Gavin Whyte was also missing in action while Cameron Dummigan and Liam Boyce remain sidelined.

There was some good news on the injury front: influential midfielder Carl Winchester was named on the bench after his lengthy layoff, and Rob Slevin also returned to the starting lineup against his former club after recovering from his own injury issues after five weeks out.

Galway were unchanged from their 2-0 loss to champions Shamrock Rovers before the international break as John Caulfield was on the hunt for a third home win of the season to deepen Derry wounds. The Candy Stripes aimed to stop a four-game winless streak as pressure mounted on Lynch.

Dipo Akinyemi of Derry City in action against Arthur Parker of Galway United during the SSE Airtricity Men's Premier Division match between Galway United and Derry City at Eamonn Deacy Park in Galway. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

Derry made a bright start with Fleming driving past Arthur Parker into the Galway 18 yard box before firing narrowly wide of the far post with a left-footed strike after just 30 seconds.

Galway dangerman Twardek skilfully got away from Slevin on the right wing before crossing towards the back post where Jimmy Keohane was in acres of space but volleyed high over the crossbar unchallenged on 12 minutes.

It was a let-off for the visitors who were enjoying a promising spell. Moments later Killian Brouder launched a long ball into the Derry box and Slevin headed into the path of Keohane but Stott produced a perfectly timed challenge before the rebound was cleared by Bannon.

Galway were awarded a free-kick 25 yards from the Derry goal in a central position on 16 minutes. Hurley's left-footed strike was charged down by James Clarke but the former Cobh Ramblers midfielder rifled the rebound into the far corner beyond Eddie Beach with a stunning right footed volley.

Derry were on the ropes and failed to clear the danger before Keohane's strike from 12 yards was parried clear by Beach.

There were signs of promise for the Foylesiders on the half hour mark when Akinyemi found Clarke inside the box. Clarke returned the pass as Akinyemi continued his run in behind but Watts turned away the City striker's side-footed effort at the near post.

That was Derry's first shot on target, and Fleming's downward header at the back post called Watts into action once again as the weather conditions deteriorated.

Galway United players made half-hearted appeals for a handball inside the penalty area in the 34th minute after Connor Barratt's strike deflected off Slevin and nestled into the side netting, but referee Neil Doyle remained unmoved.

Aaron Bolger forced a comfortable save from Beach after a clever lay-off from Keohane and another promising move from the Tribesmen in the 38th minute.

Derry was beginning to get to grips with the contest and from an inswinging Darragh Markey corner kick the ball came off the back of Stephen Walsh's head and struck the post.

Lynch needed a big half-time teamtalk and a significant reaction from his players to turn this around in the second half. Despite enjoying 66% possession in the opening 45 minutes they were sloppy and second best to an organised Galway side that was winning the battle all over the pitch.

The Brandywell men started the second half with intent. Shortly after the restart Brouder fouled Clarke on the edge of the penalty area and the referee awarded a free-kick in a promising position. Akimyemi stepped up and fired over the crossbar but it was an encouraging start.

Clarke turned his man, switched neatly onto his left foot, and fired toward goal from 20 yards but Watts was well placed to gather comfortably.

Lynch brought the subdued Darragh Markey ashore on 58 minutes and Winchester entered the fray for his first appearance since the 3-2 win over Waterford at the end of February.

Derry equalised with a brilliant solo goal from Clarke who opened his account in some style on 63 minutes. Last season's top scorer for Bohemians charged past Bolger from wide, took a deft touch to take it past Facchineri and slotted neatly into the far corner. It was a deserved equaliser for the visitors who were well on top in the second half.

Galway should have restored their lead on 69 minutes when Walsh cut open the Derry defence with a first time pass which sent McCarthy clean through on goal with Barry Cotter caught high up the pitch. However, Beach denied him with a brilliant save with his feet, coming quickly off his line to avert the danger.

From a long free-kick upfield from Slevin, Clarke chested the ball down wonderfully before cleverly turning it around the corner to Akinyemi with the outside of his foot on 76 minutes. Akinyemi hit it first time but fired wide of the target as Derry wasted a gilt-edged chance.

There were two full-blooded tackles from Galway on Fleming and Slevin as the Tribesmen forced their way into the Derry half but Bannon managed to throw himself in the way of McCarthy's strike as the visitors survived.

Less than two minutes after being introduced off the bench, one-time Derry City target Pierrot had strong claims for a penalty when Bannon held him back at the front post before the striker fired Galway back in front with eight minutes remaining.

Once again Derry were carved open all too easily at the back and when Pierrot latched onto the ball from a wide position just inside the penalty area, Slevin failed to close down the space and the Haitian fired across Beach and into the far corner. It was his fourth goal in his last four appearances against Derry!

Derry must pick themselves up quickly ahead of an Easter Monday trip to Sligo Rovers but serious questions remain about the direction this team is currently heading.

Galway United: Watts: Parker (Williams 89), Barratt (Wolfe 64). Brouder, Facchineri, Devitt; Keohane (McCarthy 64), Bolger, Hurley; Twardek (Lomboto 80), Walsh (Pierrot 80); Subs Not Used - Da Cunha, Piesold, Chateau, Kazeem.

Derry City: Beach; Cotter (Barr 82), Bannon, Stott, Slevin, Fleming; Clarke, O'Reilly, Olayinka, Markey (Winchester 58); Dipo (Thomas 82); Subs Not Used - Callister, Doherty, Dos Santos, Rylah, Downey.

Referee: Neil Doyle [Dublin].

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