Menu

Sligo Rovers vs Derry City

15 March 2025 at 19:45Showgrounds, Sligo
Referee: R. Hennessy

Match Summary

Derry City defeated Sligo Rovers 1:0. The match was played in Premier Division 2025. Goals were scored by M. Duffy 20′. 8 yellow cards were shown, 1 red card. Sligo Rovers had 61% possession while Derry City held 39%. Sligo Rovers had 8 shots (3 on target) compared to 7 (2 on target) for Derry City. Sligo Rovers made 3 substitutions, Derry City made 3.

Match Events

Key match events between Sligo Rovers and Derry City — 1 goal and 9 cards recorded during the match.

Match Statistics

Sligo Rovers had 61% possession against Derry City's 39%. Sligo Rovers registered 8 shots (3 on target) while Derry City managed 7 (2 on target). Corner kicks: 3–1. Fouls committed: 16–13.

Shots on Goal
3
2
Shots Off Goal
1
3
Total Shots
8
7
Blocked Shots
4
2
Shots inside the Box
6
2
Shots outside the Box
2
5
Fouls
16
13
Corner Kicks
3
1
Offsides
2
0
Ball Possession
61%
39%
Yellow Cards
4
4
Red Cards
1
0
Goalkeeper Saves
1
2
Total Passes
447
287
Accurate Passes
339
158
Pass Accuracy
76%
55%
Expected Goals (xG)
0
0
Goals Prevented (xGP)
0
0

Lineups

Sligo Rovers lined up in a 4-2-3-1 formation under John Russell, while Derry City deployed a 5-3-2 under Tiernan Lynch.

Squad Ratings

The overall squad rating for Sligo Rovers is 6.79, compared to 6.98 for Derry City. This metric is derived from each player's average match rating across all league appearances this season — anything above 7.00 is considered strong, while below 6.50 signals inconsistency. Sligo Rovers's highest-rated starter is W. Fitzgerald (7.04), while Derry City's best-rated player is M. Duffy (7.55).

Attacking Output

The starting XI of Sligo Rovers have contributed 6 goals and 3 assists this season, led by W. Fitzgerald (4G). Derry City's starters account for 29 goals and 17 assists, spearheaded by M. Duffy (12G). Goals reflect clinical finishing and chance creation, while assists highlight the ability to unlock defences through through-balls, crosses, and set pieces.

Defensive Solidity

Sligo Rovers deploy 4 defenders rated 6.96 on average, against Derry City's 4-man backline averaging 6.90. Higher defensive ratings suggest better positional awareness, fewer individual errors, and a greater likelihood of keeping clean sheets. The rating accounts for tackles won, interceptions, aerial duels, and blocks throughout the season.

Midfield Control

Sligo Rovers field 5 midfielders averaging 6.79, versus Derry City's 5 rated 7.11. Midfield ratings reflect passing accuracy, interceptions, key passes, and overall control of possession — the team that dominates midfield typically dictates the tempo and territory of the match.

Forward Threat

Sligo Rovers start 1 forward(s) averaging 6.63, compared to 1 for Derry City averaging 6.93. Forward ratings capture shot accuracy, movement off the ball, dribbling success, and involvement in build-up play — they indicate who carries the greater goal threat on the day.

Passing & Build-Up

Passing accuracy averages 69% for Sligo Rovers and —% for Derry City. Higher passing accuracy generally indicates a possession-based style with patient build-up through the thirds, while lower figures may suggest a more direct, counter-attacking approach with long balls and quick transitions.

Discipline

Sligo Rovers's starters have collected 6 yellow cards this season, compared to 62 for Derry City. Yellow cards reflect how aggressively a team presses and tackles — a high count may indicate a physical, high-pressing style but also risks suspensions and late free-kicks in dangerous areas.

Age & Experience

The average age of Sligo Rovers's starting XI is 23.0 (youngest: J. Hakiki (21), oldest: W. Fitzgerald (26)), while Derry City average 27.5 (youngest: H. Cann (22), oldest: M. Connolly (34)). Younger squads typically offer pace, energy, and pressing intensity, while experienced lineups bring composure, game management, and the ability to handle high-pressure moments.

Squad Depth

Sligo Rovers's starters average 12 league appearances each, versus 22 for Derry City. High appearance counts indicate an established, well-drilled unit that the manager trusts week in and week out. Lower figures may suggest rotation, injuries, or emerging players still earning their place in the team.

Sligo Rovers4-2-3-15-3-2Derry City
GKDEFMIDFWD
31Walsh2Lintott15Denham21Mahon3Hutchin.27Malley49Doyle-H.14Hattum8Hakiki7Fitzger.11Kavanagh1Maher2Boyce16Cann6Connolly24Todd14Doherty8O'Reilly15Diallo17Thomas7Duffy27Boyce

Substitutes

Coach: John Russell

Substitutes

Coach: Tiernan Lynch

Sligo RoversPosition StrengthDerry City
6.79
Avg Rating
6.98
Goalkeeper (1 v 1)6.91
0G 0A0G 0A
6.96Defender (4 v 4)6.90
0G 0A3G 2A
6.79Midfielder (5 v 5)7.11
5G 2A19G 14A
6.63Forward (1 v 1)6.93
1G 1A7G 1A
Sligo Rovers4-2-3-1
31GoalkeeperC. Walsh
2DefenderH. Lintott
15DefenderO. Denham7.0
21DefenderJ. Mahon
3DefenderR. Hutchinson
27MidfielderC. Malley
49MidfielderJ. Doyle-Hayes
14MidfielderO. van Hattum
8MidfielderJ. Hakiki6.51G
7MidfielderW. Fitzgerald7.04G2A
11ForwardC. Kavanagh6.61G1A
Derry City5-3-2
1GoalkeeperB. Maher6.9
2DefenderR. Boyce6.92G1A
16DefenderH. Cann6.81A
6DefenderM. Connolly6.91G
14DefenderB. Doherty6.9
24MidfielderS. Todd7.01G2A
8MidfielderA. O'Reilly6.94G1A
15MidfielderS. Diallo7.02G
17MidfielderD. Thomas
7MidfielderM. Duffy7.512G11A
27ForwardL. Boyce6.97G1A

Rivalry since 2019

Sligo Rovers vs Derry City Head to Head Results· 30

Sligo Rovers and Derry City have met 30 times — Sligo Rovers won 9, Derry City won 12, with 9 draws. Their rivalry dates back to 2019. Derry City leads the head-to-head with 12 victories from 30 meetings. A combined 63 goals have been scored across these fixtures, averaging 2.10 per match (28 for the home side, 35 for the visitors). Both teams scored in 12 matches (40%). Over 2.5 goals landed in 11 games (37%), making it a fixture that tends to produce goals. The highest-scoring encounter finished 5–4 in 2024.

Drawn
9
·
Total goals
63 · 2.1/match
Both scored
12/30 · 40%
Over 2.5
11/30 · 37%

Recent Meetings

Match Details
Match Details
09/01/26Friendlies Clubs
Match Details
Match Details
Match Details
Match Details
21/01/25Friendlies Clubs
Match Details
Match Details
Match Details
Match Details
Highest-scoring game: 54 v 2024

Recent Form

WWonDDrawnLLost

In their last 6 matches, Sligo Rovers have recorded 3 wins, 2 draws and 1 defeat. Derry City show 5 wins, 1 draw and 0 losses from their last 6 outings.

Statistics are for informational purposes only. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

API data: 11 May 2026