Limerick FC 0-1 Derry City

Click on the image to view a selection of photos from the game, courtesy of Kevin Moore

A single David McDaid goal separated the two promotion hopefuls this evening at Jackman Park in a highly entertaining encounter.

Poor positioning from a Derry throw, led to Emmet Friars being able to swing in a low cross to the feet of McDaid, who got minimal contact, but just enough to see it slide past the outstretched arms of David Ryan in the Limerick goal.

Limerick started the brighter with Shane Clarke going agonizingly close from a John Tierney layoff. The Limerick native saw his lobbed effort go the wrong side of Gerard Doherty’s post.

This miss would end up lifting Derry’s performance as McDaid’s weak effort crept past the Limerick net-minder. Although against the run of play, Limerick can only have themselves to blame for their poor shape from the throw.

Moments after Derry breaking the deadlock, Limerick were presented a chance from a free kick in a wide position. Martin Deady delivered a ball which flashed across goal, leaving Daryl Kavanagh to tap in from all of three yards but somehow the winger from Carrick-on-Suir managed to strike the ball straight at the keeper.

Limerick began to dominate possession from here-on in. Some half chances here and there, but they just couldn’t find the final ball to play in the front two. Derry were proving dangerous on the break. A deflected Emmet Friars effort nearly caught out Ryan as he somehow managed to push it onto the bar before going behind for a corner.

Things got worse for the Shannonsiders just before half time as a rash challenge from Thomas Lyons resulted in his dismissal. A 50/50 ball, or so it appeared was reached first by Mark McChrystal but Lyons’ momentum saw him catch the Derry skipper with his slide.

The second half can only be described as somewhat of an onslaught from the Blues as they pushed on for the equaliser.

On 66 minutes, a quick Limerick break saw an attempted cross from Tierney blocked by the hand of Shane McEleney. The referee waved play on and the resulting attack was cleared.

With only 20 minutes left, Limerick began to pile on the pressure as another Deady free kick led to Kavanagh striking across the face of goal, only to see the ball smash off the top of the bar from the head of Jeffrey Judge.

The drama wasn’t to end there as substitute Stephen Hickey saw his shot deflected and float over the keeper but somehow the Derry stopper back peddled to tip the ball over the bar.

Limerick will be hugely disappointed with the result, but Derry will take the points with open arms after a scare on Shannonside.

Limerick FC: David Ryan, John Boyle, Declan Cahill (Stephen Hickey 73) , Peter White, Martin Deady, Darly Kavanagh, Jeffrey Judge, Thomas Lyons, Shane Tracey (Sean Kelly 63) , Shane Clarke, John Tierney.
Not used: John McGuinness, Robbie Kelleher, Jason Hughes
Booked: Jeffrey Judge
Sent off: Thomas Lyons

Derry City: Gerard Doherty, Eddie McCallion, Emmet Friars (McEleney 45) , Barry Molloy, Mark McChrystal, Vincent Sweeney (Adam Clarke 71) , Ruairi Harkin, Mark Scoltock, James McClean, David McDaid, Mark Farren (Seamus Sharkey 88).
Not used: Eugene Ferry, Darren Harkin.
Booked: Gerard Doherty, Vincent Sweeney, Shane McEleney.
Sent off: Mark Scoltock

Referee: Keith Callanan (Cork)

Attendance: 818