THEY have enough to be gloomy about down Inchicore way at the moment without contemplating the reality of life without Keith Fahey.

And while this win over Derry wrapped up a second-place league finish, the joy is tempered by the fact that last night will likely be the final time he appears in their colours at Richmond Park.

Fahey shall be on his way across the water this winter and his prominence in both goals, especially his fine individual effort before half-time, emphasised just why he is on a few shopping lists.

The talented playmaker took a short corner to Alan Kirby, retrieved the ball and capitalised on slackness in the Derry rearguard to weave past Barry Molloy and Ruaidhri Higgins before firing past Gerard Doherty.

John McDonnell's side deserve credit for a tenacious display despite missing a few first-teamers, including the suspended Gary Dempsey.

With a cup final on the horizon, Derry are trying to keep some players fresh so Niall McGinn, Mark Farren and Sammy Morrow were rested but they were all on at the end as Derry chased the game, and second spot on the league table. However, they struggled to penetrate and were caught on the break with eight minutes left by Fahey who won a spot-kick when Mark McChrystal stopped him in his tracks.

Mark Quigley stepped up to convert his 15th league goal of the season.

Farren pulled one back for the visitors in injury-time, but it was too little, too late.