Shamrock Rovers and Derry City played out a scoreless draw in a SSE Airtricity Men's Premier Division game of few chances at Tallaght Stadium, a tie that saw both sides finish with ten players after the first-half sendings off of home keeper Ed McGinty and Candystripes striker Danny Mullen.
Derry still haven't gotten the better of Shamrock Rovers since March 2023 with the Hoops winning four and drawing four.
Stephen Bradley went with an unchanged line-up from the win over Drogheda United.
Derry City were missing the ill Pat Hoban and the injured Sadou Diallo but did include the returning Karl Winchester, back from suspension, and defender Kevin Holt in two of four changes from their game in Sligo before the international break.
It was a forgettable opening half marked by McGinty receiving a straight red card from referee Paul McLoughlin for handling outside the area in the 24th minute
McGinty slid to get the loose ball and then reached back towards his area. However, the referee deemed he was just outside 12-yard box and he had to go, being replaced in goal by Leon Pohls.
Derry City, who didn’t really take advantage of their extra man, were also reduced to ten men, four minutes before the break as Mullen, already booked by referee McLoughlin, got a second yellow after a tackle on Aaron Greene in midfield. It seemed harsh as the contact was minimal.
Both sides made changes at the break, the Hoops bringing on Republic of Ireland international Jack Byrne while Derry summoned Liam Boyce and Sean Patton for Paul McMullan and captain Mark Connolly respectively.
The game increased in intensity after the restart as a Michael Duffy free-kick for Derry brought drew an excellent save by Pohls, who dived to his right in the 52nd minute to claw it away.
Boyce sliced a volley wide just after the hour mark while in between Matt Healy shot over from the edge of the City area.
Rovers almost nicked a goal in the 73rd minute when Daniel Cleary got on the end of a Byrne corner and Derry were grateful to their keeper Brian Maher who saved Pico Lopes' poked effort from inside the six-yard box.
The game died out after that and despite six minutes of added time, both sides had to content themselves with a share of the spoils.
Shamrock Rovers: Ed McGinty; Daniel Cleary, Roberto Lopez (capt), Cory O’Sullivan; Danny Grant (Jack Byrne 45 mins), Matthew Healy, Josh Honohan; Dylan Watts (Victor Ozhianvuna 86 mins), Aaron McEneff (Leon Pohls 24 mins); Graham Burke (Michael Noonan 86 mins); Aaron Greene (Rory Gaffney 58 mins)
Derry City: Brian Maher; Ronan Boyce, Hayden Cann, Mark Connolly (capt, Sean Patton 45 mins), Kevin Holt, Ben Doherty (Sam Todd 58 mins); Adam O’Reilly, Carl Winchester (Robbie Benson 75 mins); Paul McMullen (Liam Boyce 45 mins), Danny Mullen, Michael Duffy
Referee: Paul McLoughlin (Donegal)
Attendance: 6,073
