SSE Airtricity League Premier Division: Derry City 0 Cork City 0
DERRY City secured a deserved point against title-chasing Cork City at the Brandywell last night. Neither side did enough to win the game as both sets of defences were on top throughout.
Derry stuck with the same side which comprehensively defeated Finn Harps in Friday night’s north west derby. As for the Rebel Army, they made three changes to the side which only managed a scoreless draw at home to Bohemians, with Dave Mulcahy, Danny Morrissey and Gearoid Morrissey all coming into the starting line-up.
City were forced into an early change with Patrick McClean coming on for the injury Ryan McBride. Derry, who had the upper hand in the early stages with Nathan Boyle a real thorn in Cork’s side, had the best chance of the half on 40 minutes but Rory Patterson’s close range effort was straight at Mark McNulty. Just as in the first half, it was the home side who were on top after the break, but Patterson’s long range effort, which had McNulty scrambling, flashed just wide.
The visitors went close on 62 minutes after Gearoid Morrissey’s right wing cross found Mulcahy, but his header from 10 yards was saved by Doherty. Derry had a good opportunity on 78 minutes as substitute Joshua Daniels played in striker Patterson, but from the right hand side of the box, this season’s leading marksman blasted well over In the closing minutes Cork substitute Mark O’Sullivan saw his close range strike kept out by Doherty.
Meanwhile, Shamrock Rovers closed the gap between third and fourth in the Airtricity League last night after their 3-1 win over Wexford Youths at Tallaght Stadium. Danny Furlong slotted home a first half penalty to give Wexford Youths an early lead but they were pegged back in the 35th minute through a Gary McCabe goal.
Three minutes later, Rovers were in front through a Brandon Miele effort. Sean Boyd sealed the points for the Dubliners in the second half while Gary Delaney was red-carded in the closing stages. The win leaves Rovers only three points behind third-placed Cork City.
Elsewhere last night, St Pat’s nicked all three points thanks to a 1-0 away win over Longford Town. Bohemians stay in eighth place after their 3-2 home win over fifth-placed Sligo Rovers. Kurtis Byrne and Stephen Best were among the goals for the Gypsies last night.
