Dundalk proved the beneficiary of the entertaining stalemate played at The Brandywell as the game between Derry City and Cork City finished 0-0. The Candy Stripes controlled much of the possession in the early stages but after 20 minutes Cork City
Dundalk proved the beneficiary of the entertaining stalemate played at The Brandywell as the game between Derry City and Cork City finished 0-0.
The Candy Stripes controlled much of the possession in the early stages but after 20 minutes Cork City began to turn the screw and it almost paid off as a flurry of chances troubled the Derry defence.
The running of Derry full-back, Jack Doyle down the flank was causing Colm Horgan enormous problems' and on more than one occasion his final delivery should have been met with a goal.
The Liverpool-born defender produced an excellent low cross into the path of Rory Patterson after 39 minutes, but Patterson, who has four league goals already this campaign, couldn’t capitalise as the ball went for a goal kick.
The Foylesiders improved their attacking at the start of the second half and they almost snatched the lead when Conor McDermott out manoeuvred Karl Shepard and dispatched a hard driven shot which Mark McNulty managed to collect.
The visitors were struggling to influence the stage of play but with the best chance of the fixture, they should have scored just after the hour mark. The Brandywell held their breath when Rory Hale hit from range.
The ball appeared to be heading for McNulty’s bottom corner after 67 minutes but another goal kick followed. Five minutes later the Derry faithful held their breath in terror when Steven Beattie whipped in a perfect ball to Keohane, who was sliding in at the back post, but it was eventually dispatched to safety.
It was end-to-end in injury time and both teams must have thought they had won the game. A late strike by McEneff guided off the post before Beattie’s effort was fumbled by Doherty before landing in the path of Keohane who only managed to fire over the bar.
This was not the unstoppable play both teams have shown in recent weeks. This was Derry and Cork in the economy setting on full throttle. Entertaining nonetheless.
