Michael Duffy scored one and created another in Derry City's 2-1 win over Waterford
Derry City took another step towards securing European football for next season and extended Shamrock Rovers' wait to clinch the League of Ireland title with a 2-1 win over Waterford at the RSC.
At the end of the week when his manager Tiernan Lynch pushed his international credentials, Michael Duffy was again the hero for the visitors as he provided a goal and an assist to help his side turn around a one-goal deficit and extend their unbeaten run in the league to eight games.
With their title aspirations all but mathematically over with just two games to go, the three points were more valuable in Derry's efforts to finish in the all-important top three.
Going into Friday's matches, only a win for Tiernan Lynch's side and defeat for Rovers against St Patrick's Athletic would delay the celebrations for Stephen Bradley and his squad.
The league leaders lost 1-0 but are still six points ahead of Derry with a far superior goal difference and a game in hand.
Derry are seven points ahead of fourth-place Bohemians, although Alan Reynolds' have also played a game fewer.
City made two changes from their dramatic win over Sligo last time out, with Robbie Benson and Gavin Whyte both brought in as Danny Mullin and Sadou Diallo missed out through injury and suspension respectively.
Waterford dominated the early exchanges and Brian Maher was forced into making an early block from Tommy Lonergan's sixth-minute effort.
The forward was not to be denied a second time, however, and he opened the scoring in the 22nd minute despite Derry City's protestations that he was offside.
The Candystripes drew level 11 minutes before the break when Whyte tapped in Duffy's cross.
The pair's roles were reversed in the 42nd minute when Whyte pounced on Kacper Radkowski's misplaced pass and teed up Duffy whose fierce strike found the net.
Maher was called upon to make another fine save, this time a one-handed effort from Padraig Amond, to protect the lead going into half-time.
The second half contained less goalmouth action, although Maher did have to be alert on a few occasions to secure the valuable three points.
Derry City will welcome Rovers to the Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium on 26 October.
