Kenny - "It's definitely not a penalty"

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In recent weeks Pat Scully and Pete Mahon have been critical of officials decisions that have had a big impact on their games. At the time extratime.ie brought you their post match comments - see here and here.

Last night's game at Tolka Park between Shamrock Rovers and Derry produced a decision that has left Derry manager Stephen Kenny far from happy with the official in charge.

Just before the thirty minute mark a Padraig Amond shot from just inside the Derry penalty area struck the hand of centre back Peter Hutton.

Speaking to extratime.ie after the final whistle Stephen Kenny was disappointed and annoyed a penalty was given - "Its definitely not a penalty, I mean Peter Hutton cant possibly get his hand out the way, its so close. You see a couple of them in every match and you wouldn't give a penalty for that - so that was very harsh".

Given the proximity between Amond and Hutton when the ball was struck it was a surprise that Referee Alan Kelly pointed to the spot. Hutton's hand also seemed to be fairly low down and not particularly far from his side. Amond converted the spot kick, placing the ball to the keepers left hand side and in doing so gave Rovers a one nil lead.

Conor Sammon equalised in the seventy fifth minute for the Candystripes. The result means Derry have drawn their last three league games and are without a win in the league since they defeated St Pats at the beginning of April.

All things considered Kenny seemed content with the point and acknowledged his side hadn't played to their potential. "That's not the worst result considering we were one down here getting a setback like that coming away to Tolka Park. I feel if we were at our best then we would be capable of winning that game but we weren't at our best".

Derry's next two fixtures are at the Brandywell against Cobh and UCD.