Derry City 0 - 1 Dundalk

• Simon Carter
• Sat, Apr 25 2009


Derry City suffered their second defeat in three games as they went down to a single Dundalk goal on Friday night in the Brandywell.

Darren Mansaram’s 57th minute goal was enough to earn the Lilywhite’s all three points and moves the Louthmen to seventh in the table. Stephen Kenny’s men have only managed to gain one point from the last nine, and as a result they find themselves five points behind leaders Bohemians.

Michael Synott was a late addition to the Dundalk side after captain Thomas Heary failed a late fitness test. An early injury to Simon Kelly saw the introduction of Ger Rowe and forced Sean Connor to re-jig his side.

Derry were the dominant force in the first half, but were unable to breach Chris Bennion’s force field like cover in the Dundalk goal. Chances for Stewart and Morrow failed to be converted for the Candystripes. The latter was given a 1-on-1 with the keeper in the dying minutes of the half but failing to score. Dundalk had no clear cut chances as the teams went in at half time.

Last week Derry City lost out on all three points as they let Bray come back into the game after dominating the first half. This week, it was to prove more costly to Stephen Kenny’s men. On 57 minutes, a corner was delivered into the box, Ger Rowe nodded the ball back across goal, and Darren Mansaram was there to back-heel flick the ball into the net from 2 yards out.

Derry never really found a rhythm after the goal but did squander a few chances, most notably Peter Hutton, who missed the target twice when it would have been easier to hit it.

Derry City have now failed to win at home in their last four home encounters and Stephen Kenny will be hoping this form changes as the next visitors to the Brandywell will be title challengers Bohemians on the 8th May. Dundalk will be looking for another top team scalp next week as they travel to Dalymount to take on the Gypsies.

Derry City: Doherty; McChrystal, Hutton, O'Brien, Gray; McGlynn, Molloy, Higgins, Stewart; Morrow, Farren Subs Used: McManus for McGlynn on 56 mins, Martyn for Molloy on 69 mins, Kearney for Farren on 78 mins

Dundalk: Bennion; Shaun Kelly, Simon Kelly, Coburn, Rogers; Synott, O'Callaghan, Turner, Singh; Mulvenna, Mansaram . Subs Used: Rowe for Simon Kelly on 14 mins, O'Brien for Mansaram on 88 mins.

Referee: Mr D McKeon (Dublin).