Derry City were knocked off the top of the Airtricity Premiership last night – albeit on goal difference – when defending champions Dundalk easily saw off a struggling Longford Town.
A Ronan Finn hat-trick and a goal from Brian Gartland earned the back-to-back champions a 4-0 win at the City Calling Stadium, in what was the home side’s third successive league defeat.
The result saw Dundalk, managed by former Derry City boss Stephen Kenny (pictured), move above the Candy Stripes at the top of the league thanks to a +13 goal difference compared to City’s +8.
Derry had gone top of the league on Friday night with a comfortable 3-0 victory over Shamrock Rovers at Brandywell – thanks to goals from Ronan Curtis, Harry Monaghan and Rory Patterson.
Next up for Derry is a trip to bottom club Longford on Saturday night next (kick-off 7.30pm).
Dundalk host third-from-bottom Sligo Rovers at Oriel Park on Friday night (kick-off 7.45pm).
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