A brave performance from Derry City saw them earn a 1-1 draw
against champions Shamrock Rovers at the Tallaght Stadium on Friday night.
David McDaid cancelled out Gary Twigg's opener in a game which also had a
missed penalty and a red card.
Shamrock Rovers had the better of the first 30 minutes of the
first half and should have scored on at least one occasion. In the second
minute a Billy Dennehy free kick found the head of Craig Sives. Sives got his
got his header on target but Barry Molloy cleared it off the line
Rovers had another chance in the 7th minute. Gary
McCabe played it to Ronan Finn. Finn crossed from the right and picked out Gary
Twigg. Twigg rose unmarked but headed wide from about 6 yards out.
Just a minute later Daryl Kavanagh missed for Rovers. He
played it to Gary McCabe on the right. McCabe's precise cross found Kavanagh
but the former St.Pats man headed wide when it seemed easier to score.
The home side missed their best chance of the half in the 21st
minute. The impressive McCabe made a fine run into the Derry area. Rover’s
number seven was fouled by Matthew Crossan and referee Anthony Buttimer pointed
to the spot. However visiting goalkeeper Gerard Doherty dived low to his left
to and made a fine save to deny Billy Dennehy. Derry number 10 Patrick McEleney
was booked for dissent.
Derry came into the game as the half went on. David McDaid struck
a shot just wide after a pass from Mark
Farren in the 34th minute and six minutes later they had another
chance. Dermot McCaffrey took a corner from the right, Ruaidhri Higgins flicked
it on and Mark Farren headed over from 6 yards out.
However Shamrock Rovers took the lead in the 47th minute. Gary
McCabe took the corner from the right. Craig Sives miskicked it but Gary Twigg
was there to knock it home from about 6 yards out on the half volley to score
his 10th league goal of the
season.
In the 65th minute Rovers nearly went two up.
Chris turner played a ball in behind the Derry defence. Twigg raced onto it and
struck it first time on his left foot. However Derry goalkeeper Doherty made a fine save and tipped it over
the bar.
In the 70th minute Patrick McEleney was sent off.
McEleney went down on the halfway line and referee Anthony Buttimer felt it was
a dive. It is his second yellow card of the night and he was sent off.
However Derry were not prepared to go down without a fight
and they managed to score in the 77th minute. After Rovers failed to
clear a free kick, Dermot McCaffrey crossed from the right and captain Barry
Molloy volleyed it against the post but David McDaid was there to tap it home.
Rovers searched for a winner and substitute Aaron Greene
missed their best chance in the 85th minute. Fellow substitute Sean
Gannon played him in and Shamrock Rover's number 14 was through on goal but his shot went just wide.
The champions had a lot of possession thereafter but could
not break down a stubborn Derry defence. In the end the visitors deserved a
point.
Shamrock Rovers: Oscar Jansson; Conor McCormack, Craig
Sives, Graham Gartland, Conor Powell; Chris Turner, Ronan Finn, Gary McCabe
(Aaron Greene 80), Billy Dennehy (Sean Gannon 85); Daryl Kavanagh, Gary Twigg
(captain).
Subs not used: Reyaad Pieterse, Colin Hawkins, Gary
O'Neill, Stephen Rice, Kerrea Gilbert.
Booked: Craig Sives (17), Gary McCabe (36),
Sent off: None.
Derry City: Gerard Doherty; Simon Madden, Eddie
McCallion, Ryan McBride, Dermot McCaffery; Patrick McEleney, Barry Molloy
(captain), Ruaidhri Higgins, Matthew Crossan (Brian McGroary 32) (Shane
McEleney 84), David McDaid, Mark Farren (Ryan Curran 45).
Subs not used: Eugene Ferry, Shane McEleney, Michael
Barr, Barry McNamee, Caoimhin Bonner.
Booked: Patrick McEleney (22) Ruaidhri Higgins (28)
Sent off: Patrick McEleney (70)
Referee: Anthony Buttimer (Cork).
Attendance: 3,000 estimate.
Man of the match: Gerard Doherty (Derry City)
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