Galway 1 Derry City 2

Galway United’s hopes of a winning return to the top flight were dashed when Derry City came from behind in the second-half at Eamonn Deacy Park.

Tommy Dunne's men led 1-0 at the break after new signing Sam Oji crowned his debut with a goal after 20 minutes when he headed home a Ryan Connolly corner from the right.

But Derry turned it around in the second-half and carved out a victory in front of a crowd of 2,254 at Eamonn Deacy Park.

Paddy McEleney led the comeback with a superb second-half display which saw him set up both goals.

McEleney did well down the right after 59 minutes and when his low cross was not dealt with by the Galway defence, Sean Houston stepped forward to drill the ball into the right corner and tie the match.

McEleney was again the creator for the Candystripes when they struck for the winner nine minutes from.

Galway did not deal with McEleney's and they paid a hefty price when Ryan Curran managed to get his head to the ball and loop into the top left corner to secure a winning start for Peter Hutton's men in front of a crowd of 2,254.

Galway United: Gleeson, Horgan, O'Connell (Molloy 85), Oji, Walsh, Shanahan, Sinnott, O'Leary, Keegan, Connolly, E Curran (Cunningham 77).

Subs not used: Winn, Raftery, McDonagh, Barry, O’Laoi.

Derry City: Doherty, S Kelly, S McEleney, Barry, Jarvis, McNamee, Lowry, Houston, Daniels, P McEleney, R Curran.

Subs not used: Patton, McClean, G Kelly, Curtis, Flanagan, McIntyre, R Doherty.

Referee: P McLaughlin (Donegal)