Derry City 2 - 1 Limerick FC

Derry City climbed to the summit of the Airtricity Premier Division with a late comeback victory over a spirited Limerick side at the Brandywell on Friday evening. Sligo's draw with Shamrock Rovers means that after the first series of games the Candystripes head the table. 

The first-half was a real cat and mouse affair as neither side seemed to take the initiative and for the most part it was a fairly scrappy midfield affair. Derry started slightly the brighter with some neat passing football and were the team that threatened to make the early break with a couple of half chances falling to Patterson and Rafter.

Limerick were awarded a free-kick in the 13th minute and up stepped specialist Shane Tracy whose effort was smartly tipped away by the alert Gerard Doherty. Limerick were settling down now and missed a glorious chance to open their account when Shaun Kelly whipped in a cross and it seemed like Rory Gaffney only had to tap it in but somehow he poked it wide of Derry's upright.

In the 28th minute the visitors received a corner and Shane Tracys' fizzed in cross found the head of Stephen Folan who nodded the ball unchallenged past Gerard Doherty who remained rooted to the spot. Derry upped the tempo and in the 34th minute were only denied an equaliser by a fine save. The ball was fed into Michael Rafter who swivelled and shot but somehow Barry Ryan kept it out with one hand. For the rest of the half Derry dominated possession without unduly worrying the Limerick netminder.

Derry came out for the second-half playing with a lot more urgency and in the 48th minute Griffin and Browne tangled in the box and the Derry striker fell to the ground. The referee however got it spot on as he waved away the penalty claim. The home side should have equalised in the 54th minute as Rory Patterson was put through with just the keeper to beat but Ryan made a good stop with his feet. Derry were dominating posession but Limerick were showing great resolve in fending off the waves of attack. Sean Houston and Patrick McEleney came on in the 78th minute as Derry went all out to get something from the game.

The threatened equaliser finally arrived in the 86th minute as a goalmouth scramble saw the ball fall to Mark Griffin and with his back to goal he turned and fired in low past Ryan much to the joy of the home support. Amazingly the Candystripes were to take the lead two minutes later when Barry McNamee picked the ball up on the edge of the area and his shot was deflected in by Rory Patterson with more than a hint of Patterson being in an offside position. The win not only see's Derry top the table but also now we have the mouthwatering prospect of a top of the table clash against champions Sligo Rovers at the Showgrounds on Monday to look forward to.

Declan Devine will be delighted with his troops and their willingness to never give up whilst Stuart Taylor will be wondering just how his side capitulated in the dying minutes.

Derry City: Gerard Doherty; Simon Madden, Shane McEleney, Ryan McBride (Sean Houston 78), Dermot McCaffrey; Ruadhri Higgins, Barry Molloy (c), Barry McNamee; Mark Griffin, Michael Rafter (Patrick McEleney 78), Rory Patterson.
Subs not used: James Gallagher, Stewart Greacen, Conal Kelly, Ryan Curran, Michael Duffy.

Booked: Ryan McBride.