- Patrick O'Connor
- Fri, Jun 30 2023
Patrick O Connor reports from Tolka Park
In front of new Shelbourne owner Acun Ilıcalı the Reds drew with Derry City 1-1 at Tolka Park on Friday night.
The first half was high on effort but very low on quality and neither goalkeeper was called into action at any stage, such was the paucity of goal scoring attempts at both ends.
Shelbourne did start the brighter of the two sides and did have a half chance in the fifth minute when Jack Moylan beat three defenders only to see his shot deflected away for a corner by the impressive Shane McEleney.
Moylan was straight through again five minutes later but Brian Maher was quickly off his line to avert the danger.
The home side lost captain Shane Griffin in the 21st minute but the experienced Paddy Barrett took his place and it did not have any effect on the structure of their back line.
Derry came more into the game as the first half progressed with most of their threats coming down their left flank from Ben Doherty and the influential Brandon Kavanagh.
They lacked any thrust in front of goal however where lone striker Jamie McGonigle was well marshalled by Andrew Quinn.
The visitors did have two chances in quick succession in the 33rd minute, first McGonigle was only millimetres away from connecting with a Kavanagh cross and moments later Sadou Diallo’s shot from the edge of box was deflected away for a corner.
The second half was much improved with a higher level of intensity from both sides, the drizzling rain adding more zip to the ball as both sides went in search of the opening goal.
It was half time substitute Sean Boyd who broke the deadlock with a typical forceful header in the 55th minute.
Diallo got a yellow card for a foul on the half way line and from the resultant free kick Boyd evaded the centre backs and stooped low to steer a good header past Maher for a good goal.
Shels were dominant for a long period after that goal but they were rocked back by a stunning equaliser from Doherty in the 69th minute.
The left back, their star performer on the night, strode forward in the 69th minute and unleashed a stunning shot that left Conor Kearns stranded on the goal line.
There was a flashpoint in the 79th minute when Adam O’Reilly was red carded for what appeared to be a rash challenge on substitute Kameron Ledwidge.
Both sides went in search of a winner but despite numerous half chances being created by both sides there were no further goals and it finished 1-1.
The result means Shelbourne remain in sixth position in the table while Derry City occupy third place, six points behind leaders Shamrock Rovers.
Shelbourne: Conor Kearns; JR Wilson, Shane Griffin (Paddy Barrett 22), Gavin Molloy, Andrew Quinn, Tyreke Wilson (Kameron Ledwidge 66) Mark Coyle (Jad Hadiki 82), Shane Farrell (Sean Boyd 46), Evan Caffrey, JJ Lunney, Jack Moylan.
Subs not used: Dathi Folan (GK), Conor Kane, Luke Byrne, David Toure, Gbemi Arubi.
Booked: Andrew Quinn (2), Mark Coyle (72), Sean Boyd (75). JR Wilson (82)
Derry City: Brian Maher; Ronan Boyce, Shane McEleney, Cameron McJannet, Ben Doherty; Sadou Diallo, Cameron Dummigan (Mark Connolly 74), Brandon Kavanagh, Jordan McNeff (Cian Kavanagh 62), Adam O'Reilly, Jamie McGonigle (Ciaran Coll 82)
Subs not used: Tadhg Ryan (GK), Sean Patton, Tiernan McGinty, Callum McCay.
Booked: Sadio Diallo (56), Brian Maher (70), Ben Doherty (74), Shane McEleney (83). Cian Kavanagh (95)
Red Card: Adam O’ Reilly (79)
Referee: Rob Harvey
Attendance: 3.200
Extratime.com Player of the Match: Ben Doherty (Derry City)
