- David Byrne
- Sun, May 14 2017
Limerick and Derry City shared the spoils at the Markets Field after a dramatic ending to a lacklustre game saw substitute Chiedozie Ogbene finish from close range to send the home crowd into raptures.
The former Cork City winger cancelled out a second half headed goal from Aaron Barry which had looked to have given the Candystripes all three points after a poor second half from the hosts.
Chances were few and far between for both sides in the first half, with the first attempt on goal coming after six minutes when Limerick’s Robbie Williams struck from all of 40 yards and Doherty made a low comfortable save.
Limerick’s best effort of the opening half was an excellent move involving Lynch and Robson which saw Clarke force a superb stop by Doherty with his right leg.
Moments later, Doherty was forced to pull off a quick-fire double save as he pushed Limerick captain Duggan’s effort over the ball.
Derry dominated the remaining of the opening half as Limerick were forced into their own half but were resilient against a Kenny Shiels side who were very confident in possession.
Neither side created much close to the goal but the visitors would have been the happier of the two sides going into the half-time break.
The second half started quietly with both sides lacking any creativity in the final third. The first notable chance arrived in the 64 minute when Dean Clarke headed over a cross from Duggan.
As both sides made changes, the game opened up and it was the visitors that began to up the tempo. It was Derry that were on top after the hour mark and they were beginning to press forward as they forced some corners but no chance of note.
With 11 minutes remaining, Derry capitalised on their second-half domination as Aaron Barry rose above the Limerick defence to meet McEneff’s near-post corner to give the visitors a well-deserved lead.
Just as Kenny Shiels’ side had believed they had salvaged their third away victory of the season, substitute Ogbene spoiled the party for the visiting side.
With virtually the last kick of the game, the former Cork City youngster slotted home to the delight of the Markets Field faithful.
Limerick: Brendan Clarke; Shaun Kelly, Tony Whitehead, Robbie Williams, Tommy Robson; Paul O’Conor (Bastien Héry 80), Shane Duggan; Chris Mulhall (John O’Flynn 80), Lee-J Lynch, Dean Clarke; Rodrigo Tosi (Chiedozie Ogbene 62).
Subs not used: Freddy Hall, Ian Turner, Stephen Kenny, Barry Cotter.
Booked: Paul O’Conor (73).
Derry City: Ger Doherty; Conor McDermott, Aaron Barry, Dean Jarvis; Ronan Curtis, Aaron McEneff, Nicky Low, Harry Monaghan, Josh Daniels (Mark Timlin 66); Barry McNamee; Nathan Boyle (Mikhail Kennedy 66).
Subs not used: Eric Grimes, Rory Holden, Ben Doherty, Sam Todd, Scott Whiteside.
Booked: None.
Referee: Seán Grant (Wexford).
Attendance: 1,287.
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