Derry City 0 - 0 Shamrock Rovers

The tabloids might roar that Shamrock Rovers’ 100 per cent league record fell at the Brandywell or the league leaders were held by newly-promoted Derry City when in fact it was the hosts that were the unfortunate party after a scoreless draw.

Stephen Kenny’s team might’ve only dipped their toe into the lower league for one moonlighting season but on Friday they showed their capabilities of giving anyone a game and but for a healthier slice of luck would’ve taken three point instead of one.

Shamrock Rovers took until 10 minutes from time to see the white in Gerard Doherty’s eyes for the first time when Billy Dennehy tested the City goalkeeper from a free-kick. And although Stephen O’Donnell, a substitute for the ineffectual Gary Twigg, drew another comfortable save from then netminder, Rovers’ attacks were infrequent.

There was one incident four minutes from time that basically encapsulated the whole evening. It was diligent from both sides, a little untidy and something Derry might’ve gotten a little more from. From a free-kick delivered devilishly by James McClean, Eamon Zayed headed back across the line and Emmett Friars then goalwards, only for Dan Murray to clear off the line to the relief of the travelling support. Shane McElaney to hook the rebound over the crossbar to the irritation of those from closer to home.

Whereas Rovers came to the north-west with three wins from three, Derry’s record to date was one of symmetry thanks to a win, a loss and a draw with the more pessimistic of locals mindful of Aaron Green’s winner for Sligo Rovers two minutes from time on opening day.

Friday’s local press told the story of Patrick McElaney, who controversially banned by the Football Association of Ireland for not turning up for international duty with Paul Doolin’s U-19 squad on their way to Cyprus for a friendly. Derry’s teenage winger, who was only notified of the call late Monday evening to be in Dublin by Tuesday lunchtime, found the timeframe unworkable.

If Derry had shaded the first half then they more than brushed the second as they took on their visitors from the front foot. The season may still be in its infancy but thus far Gareth McGlynn has certainly been Derry’s most prosperous player on show and three minutes after the interval he sidestepped a challenge of two as he made his way from the left, although his left-footed strike on goal was too high.

Then, whilst the visitors were penned in and the hosts’ half of the field was as populated as the home end in Serbia was for Northern Ireland’s visit, Daniel Lafferty strode forward to join the second rung of the attack from full-back. When the ball ricocheted its way to him, sitting up and yearning to be hit, the former Celtic conscript hit an audacious lob that dropped from the night sky only to be tipped over the crossbar by an alert Mannus.

The home crowd tried to blow the ball in from time to time but all in all, there were precious few complaints for the endeavour shown. Saying that, Rovers dug in and showed another hallmark of champions – the ability to get something even after under-performing.

Derry City: Gerard Doherty; Eddie McCallion, Stewart Greacen (Emmett Friars 46), Shane McElaney, Daniel Lafferty; Gareth McGlynn, Barry Molloy, Ruairi Harkin (James McClean 56), Kevin Deery, Stephen McLaughin (David McDaid 83); Eamon Zayed.

Subs Not Used: Eugene Ferry, Ryan McBride, Thomas McBride.

Bookings: McCallion (78), McClean (82).

Shamrock Rovers: Alan Mannus; Pat Sullivan, Dan Murray, Ken Oman, Enda Stevens; Gary McCabe (Paddy Kavanagh 55), Chris Turner, Billy Dennehy, Ronan Finn; Gary O’Neill (Ciaran Kilduff 63), Gary Twigg (Stephen O’Donnell 76).

Subs Not Used: Ryan Thompson, Pat Flynn, Stephen Rice, Karl Sheppard.

Bookings: Dennehy (38), P Kavanagh (91).

Referee: Richie Winter.

Attendence: 3,340