Derry City earned a 2-2 draw with Waterford as Adam O'Reilly and Michael Duffy found the net in the Premier Division clash at the RSC. The match took place on 2026-09-14 at 18:45 UTC, with O'Reilly opening the scoring in the ninth minute after an assist from James Clarke. Waterford levelled through Evan McLaughlin in the 45th minute before Duffy restored Derry City's lead in the 51st minute, assisted by Brandon·Fleming. Padraig Amond then equalised for Waterford in the 57th minute with an assist from Bernardo Piexoto Couto, resulting in a shared points total.

Derry City lined up in a 3-4-3 formation under manager Mark Connolly, with Tom Norcott, C. Dummigan, J. Stott, Patrick McClean, D. Burns, N. Twisk, A. O'Reilly, B. Fleming, L. Boyce, M. Duffy and J. Clarke in the starting XI. Waterford, managed by G. Coughlan, fielded a 4-4-2 side featuring S. McMullan, H. Cann, J. Mahon, K. Long, Benny Couto, J. Voilås, E. McLaughlin, N. Mawene, C. Noonan, T. Lonergan and P. Amond.

The home side made three changes at the 64th minute, introducing Sam Glenfield, Luke Heeney and Dean Mcmenamy for McLaughlin, Mawene and Noonan respectively. Derry City responded with two substitutions: Ellis Chapman replaced James Clarke at the 73rd minute, followed by Kévin Santos coming on for Darragh Burns at the 76th minute.

Discipline was uneven, with Derry City collecting five yellow cards to Waterford's one. O'Reilly was cautioned in the 11th minute, Clarke in the 45th, and Boyce in the 64th. Glenfield and Burns received yellow cards in the 73rd and 74th minutes, while Connolly and Ciaran Grogan were booked in the 88th minute for dissent and failing to retreat.

Statistically, Derry City dominated possession with 61% compared to Waterford's 39%, but the visitors had more shots on target, registering six to Derry City's two. Waterford took 16 shots overall to Derry City's 14, earned seven corners to five, committed 17 fouls to 12, and had no offsides against Derry City's two. Derry City's goalkeeper made four saves, while Waterford recorded none.

The result leaves Derry City fifth in the Premier Division on 37 points from 30 games, with a recent form of WDLWD and Michael Duffy continuing as the club's top scorer with 12 goals this season. The side will next face Galway United at home on 2026-09-18, aiming to build on this performance as they look to close the gap on the league leaders.