Drogheda United 0-1 Derry City
Friday, 20 June 2008 22:08Champions Drogheda's title aspirations look to be at an end after substitute Conor Sammon struck late on to enhance Derry's own lofty ambitions at United Park tonight.
In a tightly contested game, a draw might have been a fairer outcome, but Sammon made all the difference when he finished off a breakaway move just seven minutes from time.
Derry enjoyed the lion's share of possession in the early stages and Gareth McGlynn, Barry Molloy and Kevin McHugh all had shots at goal in the first 10 minutes, none of which forced keeper Jamie Ewings into a save.
Drogheda eventually worked a good chance in the 15th minute when Eamon Zayed exchanged passes with Sami Ristila before shooting wide of Gerard Doherty's left-hand post.
McGlynn was then stretchered off with what looked like a knee injury, to be replaced by Ciaran Martyn, and the play became more scrappy, with few clear-cut openings.
Drogheda began to get their passing game going, however, and mounted a series of attacks, mainly down the right flank where Brian Shelley's return to the starting line-up was a major asset.
Crosses from the right-back led to chances for Adam Hughes and Guy Bates, but on each occasion Derry defenders made goal-saving blocks and Bates flashed another close-range effort narrowly over the bar.
In first-half injury time Zayed just failed to keep a close-range hook shot on target, while two similar efforts by Derry's Mark Farren were easily dealt with by Ewings.
Defences remained largely on top on the resumption, although Doherty was forced into one save from an Ollie Cahill shot on 53 minutes and then held on well to a Bates piledriver.
The visitors almost grabbed the lead when Drogheda were temporarily down to 10 men, Hutton's header forcing a miraculous tip-over save from Ewings, but Derry survived penalty claims when a cross struck left-back Steven Gray on the arm.
Seven minutes from time the Candystripes finally broke the deadlock when a Drogheda attack broke down and Niall McGinn broke free down the right flank before crossing for Sammon who fired decisively past Ewings.
DROGHEDA UNITED - Ewings, Shelley, Gavin, Gartland, Kendrick, Hughes, Byrne, Ristila, Cahill, Zayed, Bates. Subs: O'Keeffe for Ristila (46min), Grant for Bates (75min), Iyane Thiam for Kendrick (87min).
DERRY CITY - Doherty, McCallion, Hutton, Delaney, Gray, McHugh, McGlynn, Molloy, Deery, McGinn, Farren. Subs: Martyn for McGlynn (18min), Morrison for McHugh (70min), Sammon for Farren (74min).
Referee - Anthony Buttimer (Cork).
