Sligo Rovers’ trojan effort came to nothing at the Ryan McBride Brandywell on Friday night as the Bit O’Red suffered the bitter taste of conceding an injury time winner to Derry City.
Jad Hakiki had given Rovers a more than deserved lead on the half hour in this, the opening night of 2026.
And while Sam Sargeant pulled of a few stunning stops to keep one of the title favourites at bay, the pressure told eight minutes from time when Alex Bannon levelled the game before Josh Thomas fired home the winner for Tiernan Lynch’s side in injury time.
Sligo boss John Russell gave debuts to both Alex Nolan and Jeannot Esua, both of whom impressed on their first competitive showings. While Ryan O’Kane featured for the first time following his permanent switch from Shelbourne. Sligo man and Abbvie Academy graduate Daire Patton was handed just his second senior start in the heart of midfield beside Seb Quirk.
New signings Archie Meekison and Shane Blaney made the bench, while Mai Traore was unavailable for selection.
A star-studded Derry too were showcasing several debuts, with main attractions Patrick and James McClean making their first starts since their respective returns to Foyleside.
The visitors showed no signs of early jitters at a sold-out Brandywell, as Rovers went at Derry in the first period and indeed it would be argued, were the better side.
Quirk lashed an early effort wide of Brian Maher’s goal as wingers O’Kane and Nolan tested Derry’s resolve out wide. While Hakiki’s movement and determination offered a constant threat coming through the middle.
The Dubliner played the key role on 30 as Rovers struck for the opening goal.
Hakiki was given the freedom of the Derry penalty area by the slumbering Patrick McClean. The once Dundalk attacker allowed to calmly turn Esua’s wonderful first-time cross past the bewildered Maher.
Nolan kept Maher busy with an effort from distance 90 seconds later as Rovers remained in charge.
While Sargeant had to pull off his first meaningful stop of the night on 33 minutes when he smothered Thomas in time to force the Welshman to loop his close-range effort onto the roof of the Rovers net.
The hosts enjoyed the better of things in terms of possession and opportunities in the second period. Roared on by 400 of our own at the car park end of the ground, the visitors did enough to keep Derry scoreless for the majority of the second half.
Debutant James Clarke nodded James McClean’s corner over Sargeant’s goal on 55. While the Essex man was called to arms two minutes later as he got a leg to Thomas’ low drive.
Again our net minder was questioned and again he came up with an answer when Sargeant skillfully and acrobatically tipped Carl Winchester’s long-range shot onto the frame of his own goal.
Derry continued to probe as Rovers, now playing without a recognised striker due to the departure of starting front man Cian Kavanagh, then lost O’Kane to a knock.
Despite the endless toil from Sligo, the pressure finally told eight minutes from time.
Bannon took a touch to take play away from the attending Quirk before unleashing an unstoppable rocket into the top corner. While momentum pushed the title chasers across the line as Thomas slotted the ball home from the angle in the first of the seven added minutes.
A disappointing end to an encouraging first night for a young Rovers. Next up is our first home league game this Saturday, February 14th as Bohs visit the Showgrounds.
Derry City: Brian Maher; Alex Bannon, Patrick McClean, Rob Slevin, Brandon Fleming; Darragh Markey (Adam O’Reilly, 59’), Carl Winchester, James McClean, Michael Duffy (C); James Clarke, Josh Thomas.
Sligo Rovers: Sam Sargeant; Jeannot Esua, Ollie Denham, Gareth McElroy, Will Fitzgerald (C); Seb Quirk, Daire Patton (Ciaron Harkin, 80’); Alex Nolan, Jad Hakiki (Kyle McDonagh, 80’), Ryan O’Kane (Sean Stewart, 66’); Cian Kavanagh (Archie Meekison, 59’).
Referee: Neil Doyle
David Goulden at the Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium.