Derry City 0 - 1 Sligo Rovers

A dramatic winning goal two minutes from time from Sligo Rovers’ Aaron Greene meant the cup specialists got their league campaign off to an excellent start at the Brandywell on Friday night against Derry City.

Greene was on hand to tuck home at the back post following a tantalising delivery down the corridor of uncertainty by the prodigal son of Sligo, Raffaele Cretaro. After his season moonlighting with Bohemians, the Tubbercurry native proved capable of picking the lock barely a dozen minutes after his introduction.

Even if there had been no late winner, there would’ve been plenty to talk about for the large crowd as they made their way down the Loan Moor Road. Draws are frequent enough occurrences when the curtain raises on a new campaign and both Stephen Kenny and his counterpart Paul Cook can be content with their sides’ showings, despite the obvious differences in emotions afterwards. Derry missed a penalty and Sligo twice hit the frame of the goal in a watchable game that did appear to peter out somewhat in the closing stages - until Greene popped up at the bitter end.

Facing penalties showed little fear for Sligo goalkeeper Ciaran Kelly at the climax of last season and Brendan Clarke was similarly tuned in at the start of the new campaign on Foyleside. Pulled from the folding of Sporting Fingal only last month, the new Rovers netminder won the game of stares with another debutant and former teammate, Eamon Zayed, after Jason McGuinness had brought down Gareth McGlynn from the blindside. It was a stonewall penalty, just five minutes before the break.

However, Zayed’s penalty was poor, lacking conviction or placement and Clarke saved centrally. As the ball rebounded bobbing to the former Irish U-21 international, his second bite of the cherry was as distasteful as his first and the chance was bundled over the yawning goal with Clarke beaten.

It was something of a let-off for the visitors; it was their hosts who were fortunate to be on terms by the latter stages of the first half. Although Derry certainly contributed admirably to an entertaining first half, it was Sligo who had most of the ball and manufactured two opportunities that it took the woodwork to avert.

Twice inside of two minutes Paul Cook’s broth was spoiled. On 33 minutes, with the heavy artillery in the Derry penalty area, McGuinness’ header crashed over the underside of the crossbar following John Russell’s dinked free-kick. Then, it was Russell who was bemoaning the lick of paint when his drive across struck the post from outside the area after Iarflaith Davoren’s cross was only partially cleared.

Derry, though, were economical and typically, their attacks carried menace. McGlynn was central to most of their positive work and his cross from the right was met by Zayed, who saw Clarke gather his header. The interval scoreless stalemate was an artificial indicator of a good half of football but the evenness of the contest gradually ironed itself out as Sligo began to tighten the noose in part two.

Matthew Blinkhorn slalomed his way in from the claustrophobic confines of the corner to bring a save from the feet of Doherty and Russell, whose influence grew inversely proportional to the temperature, was a constant threat.

Saying it was a siege would’ve been unfair on Derry, who fashioned a great chance midway through the second period when McGlynn was once more the creator from the flanks and Daniel McLaughlin caught a peek of goal and drew a fine save from Clarke.

It seemed as though the north-western rivals would go home with a draw to dissect but Green changed all that. Derry came within a whisker as substitute David McDaid saw his shot on goal deflect and fly inches over the crossbar as the whole ground drew collective breath. But the ball flew over and with it went Derry’s hopes as Sligo lay a significant marker.

Derry City: Gerard Doherty; Eddie McCallion, Stewart Greacen, Shane McEleney Daniel Lafferty; Patrick McEleney (Ruairi Harkin, 85), Barry Molloy, Ruaidhri Higgins (Michael McCrudden, 88), Stephen McLaughlin; Gareth McGlynn, Eamon Zayed (David McDaid, 80).
Subs not used: Eugene Ferry, Thomas McBride, James Henry, Emmet Friars.

Bookings: Greacen (18), Molloy (47), Lafferty (69).

Sligo Rovers: Brendan Clarke; Alan Keane, Gavin Peers, Jason McGuinness, Iarfhlaith Davoren; Eoin Doyle, Danny Ventre, Richie Ryan, John Russell (Raffaele Cretaro, 74), John Dillon (Aaron Greene, 59); Matthew Blinkhorn (Alan Kirby, 83).
Subs not used: Ciaran Kelly, Derek Foran, Daryl Horgan, Mark McGoldrick.

Bookings: Ventre (21), Ryan (67), Blinkhorn (70).

Referee: Damien Hancock (Dublin).

Attendance: 4,097
Extratime.ie Man of the Match: Richie Ryan (Sligo Rovers).