Galway United 0-0 Derry City

Derry City produced a resilient display to earn a share of the SSE Airtricity League spoils against Galway United at Eamonn Deacy Park.

The Candystripes, who had Conor McCormack red-carded in the 28th minute, frustrated a Galway side that missed several decent chances.

In the opening period Ruairi Keating, Stephen Folan, Gary Shanahan, and Kilian Cantwell went close for Galway, who were wasteful throughout.

When the action recommenced Derry’s Gerard Doherty made two excellent saves to deny John Sullivan as parity prevailed in the west,

Galway came close to taking a sixth-minute lead, but Derry’s Dean Jarvis headed a Ruairi Keating effort off the line.

Ryan Connolly was prominent in the centre of the park for the Tribesmen, who came close again in the 10th minute.

Enda Curran’s corner was headed in the area by Cantwell and Keating, but Stephen Folan was unable to direct the ball on target.

A clever Marc Ludden throw-in located Connolly in space and his smart touch released Gary Shanahan, who fired narrowly wide in the 19th minute.

Derry’s Conor McCormack was dismissed minutes later when picking up a second yellow card for a foul on Ludden.

From the resultant free-kick Connolly’s delivery was precise, but Cantwell headed narrowly wide in a packed area.

Considering that both Derry attackers, Rory Patterson and Lucas Schubert, were forced off early with injuries the visitors were content to depart at the break on terms.

After the restart Derry improved with substitute Keith Ward forcing a save from Galway custodian Conor Winn in the 58th minute.

Then Ger Doherty kept Derry level saving from John Sullivan with Vinny Faherty hooking the rebound wide.

Sullivan was thwarted again by Doherty on 73 following a fine delivery from substitute Kevin Devaney as Galway searched for a goal that would not come. 

Galway United: Conor Winn; Kilian Cantwell, Paul Sinnott, Stephen Folan, Marc Ludden (Conor Melody, 85); Gary Shanahan, John Sullivan, Ryan Connolly, Ruairi Keating (Kevin Devaney, 53); Enda Curran (Jesse Devers, 79), Vinny Faherty.

Subs not used: Kevin Horgan, Alex Byrne, Cormac Raftery, Eric Foley.

Derry City: Gerard Doherty; Niclas Vemmelund, Ryan McBride, Aaron Barry, Dean Jarvis; Nathan Boyle, Conor McCormack, Aaron McEneff, Josh Daniels; Rory Pattersonn (Conor McDermott, 35), Lucas Schubert (Keith Ward, 25).

Subs not used: Shaun Patton, Jordan Allan, Ryan Doherty, Ronan Curtis, Patrick McClean.

Referee: Jim McKell (Tipperary).