Airtricity League Premier Division
Derry City 1 Limerick 1 (match abandoned after 25 minutes)
DERRY CITY manager Kenny Shiels was bitterly disappointed after his side's debut at Maginn Park was abandoned because of floodlight failure.
Shiels was gutted for the large support at the Buncrana venue.
“I feel for the supporters who were watching what was an entertaining game before the lights went out,” he said.
“It’s one of those things which just happens and it’s out of our control. A team can control games but floodlight failure is just one of those things, it has happened to me before and it’s frustrating.”
Derry and Limerick were level at 1-1 after 25 minutes when the lights went out and Limerick boss Martin Russell echoed Shiels’s sentiments.
“Look it’s one of those things and there’s nothing we can do about it,” he said.
“Despite the weather there was a big crowd in attendance and I feel for the supporters, particularly our fans who made the long trip up from Limerick.
“But we’ll prepare again when the match is replayed.”
Derry City’s first game at their temporary Donegal home was a sell-out and the home supporters nearly had something to cheer about after just 30 seconds.
City made two changes to their side which had an impressive opening day win at Bohemians last week, with Lukas Schubert and Aaron Barry replacing Joshua Daniels and the injured Ben Doherty.
A defence-splitting pass by Barry McNamee released Nathan Boyle, but the young striker failed to trouble Limerick ’keeper Freddy Hall.
City continued to push forward, with McNamee firing wide and a close range Ronan Curtis header saved by Hall.
However, it was the visitors who opened the scoring, after a terrible mistake by Schubert.
A long punt down field was miscontrolled by the Austrian winger straight into Dean Clarke’s path and the striker made no mistake.
Twelve minutes later Curtis levelled matters, but only seven more minutes of action took place before the ground was plunged into darkness.
Bray 5 Finn Harps 3
FINN Harps lost out 5-3 to Bray Wanderers in an incident-filled goalfest at the Carlisle Grounds that produced plenty of talking points.
Harps were left fuming over the fact they were denied a penalty, then had a spot-kick awarded against them and also felt play should have been stopped before Bray’s fourth goal.
Harps had an early penalty appeal dismissed when Sean Houston was tumbled in the box under pressure from Kevin Lynch after six minutes.
Bray took the lead on nine minutes following a disputed free from Gary McCabe that was spilled by Harps goalkeeper Ciaran Gallagher before Anto Flood slammed the ball home.
Bray then doubled their tally following a controversial penalty on 19 minutes. Arron Greene’s cross struck Funston’s arm and referee Anthony Buttimer pointed to the spot. Gary McCabe duly obliged.
Harps pulled one back on 33 minutes. Johnny Bonner sent in a free kick from the left and it deceived Cherrie and appeared to come off the woodwork before Ciaran O’Connor got the final touch.
Bray made it 3-1 on 43 minutes when Aaron Greene rose above the Harps defence to head home a Conor Kenna cross.
However, Harps reduced the deficit two minutes into the second half when O’Connor looped over Cherrie.
More drama followed as Gallagher, outside his box, stooped low to head a ball clear and subsequently got injured.
The ball fell for McCabe and he fired into the unprotected net on 58 minutes. Harps felt that play should have been stopped but the goal stood.
Bray made it 5-2 on 69 minutes through Dylan Connolly and Harps pulled one back through Ethan Boyle six minutes later.
