League Report: Derry City 0 - 0 Dundalk

Derry City failed to score for the first time this season as they were held by the Lilywhites.

They had plenty of possession and created enough chances to win the game. They were unable to beat a keeper in great form and suffered the loss of Mark Connolly to injury.

Dundalk were forced to dig in to gain a result but stood firm to gain a respectable point on the road. They lost the services of Daniel Kelly to injury in the first half and found themselves under lots of pressure towards the end. The performance of Nathan Shepperd and his back-line proved their worth though.

Ruaidhri Higgins made three changes from Monday’s thumping win down in UCD. Ronan Boyce, Cian and Brandon Kavanagh all made way for Ciaran Coll, Patrick McEleney and Jamie McGonigle. The latter currently leading the scoring charts in the Premier Division.

Stephen O’ Donnell made four changes despite their impressive come-back win against Shelbourne. Daniel Kelly, Patrick Hoban, Hayden Muller, and Johannes Yli-Kokko coming into the side. John Martin, Cameron Elliott, Keith Ward, and Williams Wasiri making way.

It was the away side who looked the more impressive as they set about on the front foot. They passed the ball around in a promising fashion and looked the more likely to create an opportunity of note. Derry seemed content to try and draw out their opponents in order to carve out a chance themselves. The in-form Ben Doherty set up Jamie McGonigle for an effort that went just wide.

They were dealt a blow though when Mark Connolly went down holding his hamstring. He was unable to recover and had to come off. Dundalk were then forced to make a change of their own as Dan Kelly went down with an injury. In between, Derry probably created the best opportunities of the match.

Ryan Graydon flashed a shot across the area that McGonigle was unable to get a touch on. The striker then forced his way through to get a shot away despite the attention of Darragh Leahy. Nathan Shepperd managed to get down to push his shot away though.

Johannes Yli-Kokko had the best opportunity for the away side as he seized upon a half-clearance from the Derry defence. His first time effort went just wide.

The home fans screamed for a penalty at the other end as Jordan McEneff went down under a challenge from Greg Sloggett. Nothing was given though. It had come about as Sadou Diallo had won the ball high up the pitch as Dundalk were on the attack.

Derry had done most of the pressing as the half came to a close and kept it up at the start of the second. Graydon and McGonigle combined well yet again as the former burst into the box. His pass found the forward for a flicked effort. It was straight at Shepperd though. The visitors were coming under increasing pressure and Andy Boyle was forced into an excellent block to deny Diallo.

Even trying something out of the ordinary failed to break the deadlock. Will Patching swung in a free kick which had a fierce dip to it. It failed dip sufficiently enough to go under the bar though.

Both sides strived to find that killer goal as they introduced a number of substitutions. Derry almost found an opener via an unlikely source. Doherty swung in a corner that found the defender unmarked at the back post. He was only able to head past the post though.

It was the former who almost won the game at the end. Doherty came forward yet again and his drive forced Shepperd into a wonderful save. His subsequent corner resulted in another chance for a defender. Ronan Boyce was the player left cursing his luck as he was off target.

Stalemate then at the end. The first game this season in which each side failed to score a goal. It keeps up their decent recent form, however.

Dundalk face a shorter journey on Thursday at 19:45 as they travel to Weavers Park to take on local rivals Drogheda. Derry City have yet another home game as they take on Sligo Rovers on Friday at 19:45.

Derry City: Brian Maher; Ciaran Coll, Mark Connolly (Ronan Boyce 15), Ben Doherty, Shane McEleney; Sadou Diallo, Ryan Graydon, Patrick McEleney, Will Patching; Jordan McEneff (Oliver O'Neill 54), Jamie McGonigle (Cian Kavanagh 74).
Subs not used: Tadhg Ryan, Evan McLaughlin, Tiernan McGinty, Liam Mullan, Brandon Kavanagh, Matthew Ward.
Booked: None.
Sent off: None.

Dundalk: Nathan Shepperd; Andy Boyle, Archie Davies, Darragh Leahy, Hayden Muller; Daniel Kelly (Alfie Lewis 27), Connor Malley (John Martin 59), Greg Sloggett, Johannes Yli-Kokko (Ryan O'Kane 70); Patrick Hoban (Cameron Elliott 70), Rayhaan Tulloch (Robbie Benson 70).
Subs not used: Mark Byrne, Robbie McCourt, Wasiri Williams, Keith Ward.
Booked: Greg Sloggett (54), Hayden Muller(89).
Sent off: None.

Referee: Rob Hennessy
Attendance: None
extratime.com Player of the Match: Nathan Shepperd