New signing Ciarán O'Connor found the net on his debut as Derry City made more ground in the race for safety with a 4-0 win over Galway United.

The 19-year-old Dundalk loanee was a livewire after his introduction for Patrick McEleney in the 21st minute.

He was taken off injured 51 minutes later but caused havoc in the meantime – he got Derry’s first goal and provided the assist for Mark Timlin’s second.

Polished display

Timlin made it six goals in three games with another polished display for a confident looking Derry outfit, Stephen Dooley added the fourth.

It was 0-0 at half-time after a half where the visitors were the dominant side. O’Connor was introduced for the stricken Patrick McEleney after 21 minutes and he flourished.

Straight afterwards he began a move which finished with a last-ditch block from Colm Horgan on Dooley.

Hanley made a point-blank save from Ryan McBride in the 26th minute. Rob Cornwall could also have given Derry the lead but it was 0-0 at half-time.

Derry took the lead in the 52nd minute when a mix-up from Horgan and David O’Leary allowed O’Connor to latch onto a pass from Philip Lowry to find the net.

Eight minutes later Derry doubled their lead with another Galway error to thank for it.

Gary Shanahan played the ball to Cormac Raftery but Dean Jarvis sneaked in and was brought down. The penalty was awarded and Timlin slotted, he doubled his tally before Dooley hammered home the win late on.