Derry City made hard work of ending the challenge of Leinster Senior League Division One side, Liffeys Pearse, at a quiet Brandywell last night.
But full credit to Dublin juniors who battled manfully throughout the evening to frustrate the ‘Candy Stripes’ before the home side scored a vital second goal.
Having made no fewer than six changes from the team which started against Cork City last week, Derry may have enjoyed a superb start when breaking the deadlock in their first attack, but thereafter the struggled in the final third.
In fact, Stephen Kenny's men finally made the game safe just eight minutes from the end much to the relief of the home support.
Indeed, had luck been on the side of Liffeys Pearse they really could have equalised just before the break.
Derry moved straight into the driving seat after just 58 seconds when Conor Sammon cut the ball back into the path of Kevin Deery and the midfielder’s low shot found the net.
The home side's failure in front of goal always kept Liffeys Pearse in the game and the Dublin junior side had a great opportunity to level matters in the 44th minute.
Winger Aidan Roche played in James Bradshaw but he blazed the ball over the crossbar when he really should have done better.
Liffeys Pearse continued to defend after the break but the closest Derry came to adding a second was a Barry Molloy header which was pushed onto the crossbar by visiting keeper, Brian Whelan.
Derry, however, had the final say and in the 82nd minute - a Ciaran Martyn break through the centre of the park saw him find substitute Mark Farren and his shot on the turn found the net to end this game as a contest.
Derry City – Doherty; McCallion, Hutton (Molloy, 46 mins.), McChrystal, Callaghan; McGlynn, Martyn, Deery, McGinn; Sammon (Farren, 61 mins.), McHugh.
Liffeys Pearse – Whelan; D. O’Connor, A. O’Connor, K. Roche, Andrews; A. Roche (O’Callaghan, 80 mins.), Murphy (A. O’Connor, 75 mins.), Doyle (D. Murphy, 87 mins.), Doolin; L. Roche, Bradshaw.
Referee – Mr. H. Whoriskey (Meath).
