League Report: Shelbourne 0 - 0 Derry City
Credit: Paul Dolan (ETPhotos)
Shelbourne boss Damien Duff admitted that Derry City claimed a ‘brilliant’ point away to his side at Tolka Park on Monday night.
Ten-man Derry City played almost an hour of the game with a player less following the dismissal of defender Sam Todd for a second bookable offence.
But the loss of the former UCD centre-back for the Candystripes had little bearing on the game as City defended resolutely throughout.
And Ruaidhri Higgins’ side even had chances to win the game with Michael Duffy going close twice.
Shels had chances themselves with Harry Wood and Ali Coote threatening but it was not enough to beat Derry City netminder Brian Maher.
"It was probably a brilliant point for them and not so good for us," Duff told Virgin Media after the game. "You do sessions trying to break down a block - and here they still looked dangerous on the counters and the sets - but it's one of the hardest things to do. Did we do enough?
“Absolutely not. There was a hint of nervousness, not around the ground but in our play, hesitant in our passes. We didn't do enough to win the game, the draw is a fair result.”
Shels remain three points clear of Derry with a game in hand, with reigning champions Shamrock Rovers 11 points behind the Reds having played a game less.
Shelbourne:Conor Kearns; Sam Bone, Sean Gannon, Shane Griffin, Kameron Ledwidge; Liam Burt (Alistair Coote 74), Mark Coyle (Evan Caffrey 46), Jonathan Lunney; William Jarvis, John Martin (Matthew Smith 57), Harry Wood (Rayhaan Tulloch 73).
Subs not used:Lorcan Healy, Luca Cailloce, John O'Sullivan, Dan Ring.
Booked:Sean Gannon (49), John Martin (51), Shane Griffin (84).
Derry City:Brian Maher; Ciarán Coll, Mark Connolly, Ben Doherty, Cameron Dummigan, Sam Todd; Michael Duffy (Daniel Mullen 78), Paul McMullan (Daniel Kelly 69), Adam O'Reilly, William Patching; Patrick Hoban (Sadou Diallo 90).
Subs not used:Tadhg Ryan, Conor Barr, Ronan Boyce, Jacob Davenport, Colm Whelan, Jordan McEneff.
Booked:Sam Todd (11), Ciarán Coll (32), Sam Todd (35), Mark Connolly (35).
Sent off:Sam Todd (35).
Referee:Damien MacGraith.
Attendance:4,596.
"Ruaidhrí would agree, it's a brilliant point for them when they're down to 10 men for near an hour. Not so good for us."
— Virgin Media Sport (@VMSportIE) August 5, 2024
"There was a hint of nervousness in our play."
Damien Duff speaking post-match.#DERSHE | #LOIpic.twitter.com/twESouc67t
