Derry beat Sligo in interim boss Connolly's opener

Derry City registered a 2-0 win over Sligo Rovers in their first match under interim manager Mark Connolly at the Ryan McBride Brandywell. The Candystripes took the lead on 54 minutes when Barry Cotter headed home to reward Derry's dominance before Adam O'Reilly doubled their advantage in style. The crucial three points come after it was announced on Wednesday that manager Tiernan Lynch had left the club by mutual consent . Derry will now aim to use this momentum when they face UC Dublin in the FAI Cup quarter-finals on Friday, 14 August. Derry dominate as life without Lynch begins Derry started the match strongly with Liam Boyce's header just over and Michael Duffy unable to keep his free kick on target. In the 15th minute, James Clarke beat his marker to connect with Brooklyn Lyons-Foster's pass with his effort denied by the right post. Clarke had another good chance shortly after but could not steer Duffy's pass home from point-blank range. However, the home side would take the lead when Darragh Burns corner was met by a powerful header from Cotter. Just seconds later, Duffy's strike crashed off the crossbar as Derry's confidence started to grow. The Candystripes would extend their lead on 65 minutes when O'Reilly played a clever one-two with Liam Boyce and fired past stopper Sam Sargeant. Sligo continued to struggle to create their own chances, but so did the home side in the closing stages of an important win at an end of a turbulent week. Who could succeed Tiernan Lynch at Derry City? Derry City part ways with manager Lynch