- Rónán MacNamara
- Fri, Mar 31 2023
Ronan MacNamara reports from Tolka Park
Ryan Graydon’s second goal of the season saw Derry City pick up their first win in three games as they returned to the summit of the Premier Division at a saturated Tolka Park.
In a repeat of last season’s FAI Cup final this was a much tighter affair while the trend of away wins in this fixture continued with the Candystripes winning at Shelbourne for the third game running.
The score could have been anything at half time following an absorbing opening half before Ruaidhri Higgins’ side took control of the second period after Paddy Barrett was sent off for Shelbourne.
Barrett was dismissed for a reckless elbow on Jamie McGonigle in the 50th minute and his red card took the stuffing out of the second half as the game fizzled out.
Torrential rain, players slipping and sliding, the ball skidding, the stand leaking. It all made for an enthralling encounter as the Premier Division returned after the international break.
The game kicked off amidst the backdrop of takeover uncertainty on Shelbourne’s part with Acun Ilicali, the owner of EFL Championship side Hull City reportedly on the verge of striking a deal to invest in the Reds.
According to reports Ilicali was present in Tolka Park last month alongside Shelbourne chairman Andrew Doyle.
The Tigers have been sniffing around the League of Ireland this season and were spotted in Richmond Park last month while attempting to cite out a deal for both St Patrick’s Athletic and Dundalk, with particular interest in the latter, both deals failed to come to fruition.
Shelbourne of course are eager for investment having seen a winter deal with Southampton owners Sport Republic collapse.
The pitch was heavy after a deluge of Friday afternoon rain in the capital but as is sometimes the case, it made for a rip-roaring start.
Shels were aggressive from the off and created an opening in the first minute with Shane Farrell getting in behind the defence. Moments later they were indebted to centre back Paddy Barrett who did brilliantly to prevent a certain goal with a goal line clearance after Jamie McGonigle had rounded Conor Kearns.
Kearns was called into action in the tenth minute to produce a fine save to deny Will Patching from a free kick. However, the hosts conceded their first goal at Tolka Park from the resulting corner as Graydon peeled away at the back post unmarked to tap home Patching’s delivery.
It might have been two just three minutes later as Ben Doherty went on a trademark barnstorming run having dispossessed Jack Moylan, but Kearns was equal to the effort from just inside the box.
After a very nervy first 25 minutes Damien Duff’s charges grew into the game, coupled with the introduction of Ireland U21 International, Kian Leavy for the injured JR Wilson.
Matty Smith could have done better with a volley after a neat pick out from Shane Farrell, but the Reds will wonder how the weren’t level just after the half hour mark.
A superb run and chop inside from Jack Moylan left him one on one with Brian Maher and his near post effort rebounded out to the onrushing Leavy who even had time to take a touch before he inexplicably ballooned it over from seven yards.
Biblical rain on a heavy pitch doesn’t usually give way to a thrilling game of football, but only for poor finishing it could have been 3-2 to the visitors at the interval.
Graydon flicked on Maher’s free kick to Patching who slipped in Ollie O’Neill but the Fulham loanee scooped over the bar with Kearns already committed to diving low.
Facing an uphill task in the teeming rain, Duff made two halftime changes which included 100 club man and captain, Luke Byrne being withdrawn.
The challenge became mountainous after Barrett was shown a second yellow card by referee Paul McLaughlin for an elbow on McGonigle five minutes after the interval.
Shelbourne responded well to the dismissal of Barrett with the ‘League of Ireland Tevez’ Smith driving through on goal and stinging the palms of Maher who did well to hold on to the effort in the soggy conditions.
The Tolka Park faithful felt McLaughlin was not giving the hosts the rub of the green and Duff was then booked for some over zealous protests following a foul on Mark Coyle failed to see a yellow.
Doherty almost put the game to bed with seven minutes to play but he was denied by an excellent stop from Kearns who just about kept his side in the game.
Shelbourne manager Duff raged at the death after the referee waved away a last-ditch penalty claim after substitute Kyle Robinson went down in the area, seconds before the final whistle sounded.
Shelbourne: Conor Kearns; Paddy Barrett, Luke Byrne (Mark Coyle 46), Shane Griffin, Tyreke Wilson (Kameron Ledwidge 79), John Ross Wilson (Kian Leavy 23); Evan Caffrey (JJ Lunney 46), Shane Farrell, Gavin Molloy, Jack Moylan (Kyle Robinson 79); Matty Smith.
Subs not used: Scott Van der Sluis, Andrew Quinn, David Toure, Brian McManus.
Booked: Paddy Barrett (45), Paddy Barrett (49), Damien Duff (61).
Sent off: Paddy Barrett (49).
Derry City: Brian Maher; Ciaran Coll, Ben Doherty, Shane McEleney, Cameron McJannet; Sadou Diallo (Ronan Boyce 79), Ryan Graydon, Patrick McEleney, Will Patching; Jamie McGonigle (Cian Kavanagh 89), Oliver O'Neill (Jordan McEneff 72).
Subs not used: Tadhg Ryan, Evan McLaughlin, Liam Mullan, Callum McCay, Brandon Kavanagh, Matthew Ward.
Booked: Ciaran Coll (40), Ronan Boyce (90).
Referee: Paul McLaughlin.
Attendance: 2950.
extratime.com Player of the Match: Cameron McJannet (Derry City).
