DERRY CITY shocked St Patrick’s Athletic as Barry McNamee scored the only goal of the game at Richmond Park on Friday. The midfielder latched onto a pass from Rory Patterson to fire past Brendan Clarke just past the hour mark to secure another huge result for the Candystripes.
Confident from a terrific performance and result at Turner’s Cross on Monday, Derry wasted no time in settling into the game and just 10 minutes in, St Pat’s goalkeeper Brendan Clarke was scrambling back towards his goal in a panic after a shot from Rory Patterson took a wicked deflection, with the ball spinning over the goalkeeper and behind for a corner.
There were certainly encouraging signs for Derry whose ball retention was again top notch, and as the half-hour approached, a well-worked corner routine saw the ball come to Aaron McEneff unmarked on the edge of the Pat’s area, and his lay-off found McCormack, who drilled a brilliant effort at goal, but unfortunately straight into the hands of Clarke.
As the first-half came to a close, St Pat’s finally began to increase the pressure on Derry and former Candystripe Mark Timlin almost made a significant impact when his pass in behind the City defence found the run of Conan Byrne on the wrong side of Ryan McBride. The Pat’s man had Gerard Doherty in his sights for the first time in the game, but he took his shot early and the ball flew harmlessly wide of goal.
The pace of the game increased significantly in the second period as St Pat’s came out determined, but their ambition also allowed Derry City more space to attack and it was Brendan Clarke who was the busier of the two goalkeepers as he parried a free-kick from Rory Patterson away from goal and fortunately for the hosts, McNamee sent the follow up shot into the stands.
St Pat’s were on top and pressing Derry for the first 15 minutes of the second period, but just past the hour mark, Derry struck the opening goal to stun the hosts. Ronan Curtis started the move which led to the goal, racing down the left before playing the ball inside to McNamee. The midfielder exchanged passes with Patterson on the edge of the area and McNamee, through on goal, drilled the ball past Clarke for his third goal of the season.
Patterson then should have made it 2-0 when he went through on goal on 75 minutes but Clarke did just enough as he deflected the striker’s shot over the crossbar. Luck was then with Derry when Curtis clearly fouled Ger O’Brien as he raced into the penalty area eight minutes from time. Referee Tomas Connolly pointed to the penalty spot but then changed his mind on the advice of his assistant who insisted that the foul had taken place outside the area.
It was ultimately frustration for St Pat’s as Derry then held firm in the closing stages to close out the game in relative comfort.
REIGNING champions Dundalk moved five points clear of Derry City at the top of the table with a 2-1 win against Galway United.
Striker David McMillan scored twice in the 70th and 78th minutes to put Dundalk in command. Galway United midfielder Eric Foley pulled one back in the third minute of injury-time but Stephen Kenny’s men held on to extend their lead at the summit.
