- Odhrán Crumley
- Fri, May 10 2019
Odhrán Crumley reports from the Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium
St.Patrick's Athletic left the Brandywell with a share of the spoils after a 1-1 draw earned after resisting a late Derry City onslaught.
Barry McNamee gave the Candystripes the lead early in the contest before an absolute ‘worldie’ from Lee Desmond ensured his team took a point.
Derry City hit the front in the 9thminute after a well worked move involving Greg Sloggett, Ciaron Coll and Barry McNamee.
Sloggett found Coll in a wide position and the full back had the presence of mind to seek out McNamee on the edge of the area.
The Derry captain delivered a fine finish to cap a sensational move, curling the ball into the bottom right corner of the net.
Conor Clifford almost levelled the sides five minutes later but his left footed effort only held initial promise before rising over the bar.
On the half-hour mark, Desmond produced a moment of sheer magic to restore parity.
30 yards from goal, his shot initially appeared audacious before leaving Peter Cherrie planted to the spot as it found its final destination in the top right corner of the net.
Minutes later, ‘The Saints’ really should have taken the lead as Rhys McCabe’s free kick found Gary Shaw in acres of space at the back-post but Cherrie was up to the task to save his team.
St.Pat’s had the first chance of the second half as Shaw headed Mikey Drennan’s inviting cross over the bar.
Declan Devine’s charges had to wait until the hour mark to have their first chance of the second period.
Sloggett’s cross from the left was met by the head of Junior Ogedi-Uzokwe. The home support waited for the net to bulge only for the effort fall narrowly wide of the post.
The Candystripes continued to create chances with a long David Parkhouse throw sent straight into the area causing the visitors difficulty.
Junior Ogedi-Uzokwe was the recipient but his aerobatic attempt fell safely into the hands of Pat’s ‘keeper Brendan Clarke.
Junior, Aidy Delap and Ciaran Harkin all had late efforts which were to be in vain as St.Pat’s held on for a draw.
Derry City: Peter Cherrie; Darren Cole, Ciaran Coll, Ally Gilchrist (Gerardo Bruna 77), Eoin Toal; Ciaron Harkin, Jamie McDonagh (Eoghan Stokes HT), Barry McNamee, Greg Sloggett; Junior Ogedi-Uzokwe, David Parkhouse (Aidy Delap 74).
Subs not used: Nathan Gartside, Josh Kerr, Conor McDermott, Shane McNamee.
Booked: None
St. Patrick's Athletic: Brendan Clarke; Ian Bermingham, Ciaran Kelly, Simon Madden, David Webster; Conor Clifford, Lee Desmond, Chris Forrester (Darragh Markey 83), Rhys McCabe (Jamie Lennon 80); Michael Drennan, Gary Shaw (Jake Walker 92).
Subs not used: Paul Cleary, Cian Coleman, James Doona, Barry Murphy.
Booked: Simon Madden (67), Gary Shaw (69)
Referee: Derek Tomney
Attendance: 2,500 (estimate)
ExtraTime.ie Player of the Match: Lee Desmond (St.Patrick’s Athletic)
