DERRY CITY and Bohemians both had their managers sent-off following a chaotic incident in their Premier Division clash.
The Candystripes kept all three points at the Brandywell as Michael Duffy’s stunning free-kick sealed a 1-0 win over the Gypsies.
Both managers dismissed! 🔴
Tiernan Lynch and Alan Reynolds have both been sent off at the Brandywell. pic.twitter.com/BxndLGXcPv
— League of Ireland (@LeagueofIreland) February 21, 2025
There was controversy just after the tenth minute when a confrontation on the sideline led to both managers being shown red cards.
It started when Bohemians were given a throw-in and Derry’s Shane Ferguson tried to prod the ball away, preventing Alan Reynolds from picking it up.
This led to both men coming together which, in turn, led to both sets of players and management getting involved in the row.
When it was quashed by the referee, both Reynolds and Derry counterpart Tiernan Lynch were given their marching orders while Ferguson was booked for his involvement.
Friday night’s result represented a major come down for the Gypsies, who had started their League of Ireland campaign with a sensational win over Shamrock Rovers at the Aviva Stadium.
And assistant coach Stephen O’Donnell lamented their poor start to the contest.
He told LOITV: “We expected a tough game.
“We knew Derry, after losing last week, would come out of the traps and conditions led itself to a scrappy game.
“We didn’t start the game well.
“We gave Derry a leg up in the sense of going 1-0 up and having something to hold onto.
“Second-half, obviously us playing with the elements.
“Got a bit of a foothold but, again, didn’t feel we were clean enough in or out of possession to have long spells of dominance and we would be disappointed with that.”
The sideline row was one of the biggest talking points from the game, and O’Donnell believes a mountain was made out of a molehill.
He added: “I am not sure what happened.
“There was a little schmozz. Probably more made of it than it should have.
“You see them things with the technical areas being so close to each other here.
“Sometimes it lends itself to that and obviously the crowd is on top of you which is good for an atmosphere point of view but I think there was very little in it.
“Obviously the ref felt he had to take action and send off both managers.”
