Derry City 0-0 Shamrock Rovers
Derry City and Shamrock Rovers had to make do with a point apiece in a forgettable game at the Brandywell.
In a game largely devoid of goal-mouth action, it was Derry who created the better openings with Barry McNamee twice denied by last gasp tackles when through on goal.
Rovers, who had Keith Fahey sent off for simulation late on, rarely threatened in contrast, although Ryan Brennan did come close in the second half with an effort which just cleared the upright.
The first quarter of the game passed without a player from either team having a shot on goal, the game instead getting bogged down in the middle, in what was a real battle of attrition.
It took 37 minutes for Derry City to cause concern in the Rovers defence and it was no surprise that Patrick McEleney was the man involved.
The midfielder drove towards the Rovers defence and in their panic, three players converged on McEleney.
Still, the Derry man emerged with the ball and he immediately threaded a through ball through the defence for Barry McNamee, but with the Ramelton youngster about to pull the trigger on Craig Hyland’s goal, Rovers were saved by a last-gasp tackle from David Webster.
The hosts started the second half brightly with both McEleney and Anthony Elding testing Hyland from distance with the game’s first shots on target.
In response Gavin Brennan headed over from a Rovers’ free kick but there was at least more intent shown from both teams.
The game’s best chance came in the 58th minute; it was one which Derry should have taken.
Superb pressure from the hosts forced Dave Webster into a poor pass straight to Anthony Elding just 30 yards from his own goal.
It was two-on-one for Derry as McEleney was in space and screaming for the pass, but Elding, with his head down, opted for a speculative lobbed effort that landed on the roof of Hyland’s net.
Just two minutes later, Rovers could have taken the lead themselves when McEleney lost the ball and Fahey’s low cross was met by Ryan Brennan, who sliced his effort just past the upright.
In Rovers’ growing frustration, O’Connor fired a weak effort wide in the 75th minute, an effort which trickled harmlessly past Gerard Doherty‘s goal.
Moments later Derry should have taken the lead when McNamee brilliantly burst through from midfield but just as he bore down on goal, David O’Connor arrived to take the ball off his foot with a superbly timed challenge.
The Brandywell crowd demanded a penalty and a red card but referee McLaughlin correctly waved play on.
The game ended on a sour note for Rovers when Fahey was shown a second yellow card for simulation, although the Dubliners very nearly stole the three points in added time when David O’Connor sent a header glancing over Doherty’s crossbar.
Derry: Gerard Doherty, Seamus Sharkey, Ryan McBride, Shane McEleney, Barry McNamee, Philip Lowry, Anthony Elding, Patrick McEleney (Seanan Clucas 85’), Cillian Morrison (Ryan Curran 77’), Mark Timlin, Aaron Barry.
Shamrock Rovers: Craig Hyland, Simon Madden, David Webster, Conor Kenna, David O’Connor, Pat Cregg, Ryan Brennan (Stephen McPhail 64’), Keith Fahey, Sean O’Connor (Brandon Miele 82’), Michael Drennan, Gavin Brennan.
Referee: Paul McLaughlin
