- Patrick O'Connor
- Sat, Aug 24 2024
Patrick O’Connor reports from the RSC
Derry City came away from the RSC on Friday night with a 1-0 win and maintained their 100% record against the Blues this season.
An unfortunate own goal by Waterford goalkeeper Louis Jones was the difference between the two sides.
But crucially, the three points allowed Derry City leapfrog Shelbourne at the top of the league table following Shels 1-1 draw with Bohemians at Tolka Park.
The game itself never rose above the mediocre and the 2,693 fans present, which included Waterford native and current Ireland assistant manager John O’ Shea, did not have much to entertain them on a windy night in the south east of the country.
Derry City played with the strong wind at their back in the first half and while they had more of the possession, they failed to make any real use if it against a well marshalled Waterford side.
Their only goal scoring chance in that opening 45 mins was a 35th shot by Paul McMullen which came off the post before being cleared to safety.
Waterford did draw a top class save from City keeper Brian Maher in the 45th minute when he dived smartly to his right to divert the ball away for a corner after a goal mouth scramble.
It remained 0-0 at the break with no great change after the resumption of play, and it was looking increasingly likely that a single goal would be enough to separate the two sides.
That goal arrived in the 60th minute and it was unlucky for Jones who had little to do up to that stage of the game.
Cameron Dummigan floated in a high ball which held up against the wind, Ben Doherty headed it across the goals and while Jones gathered the ball, he then fumbled it and stepped back over his goal line with ball in hand.
Referee Neil Doyle had a quick consultation with his assistant referee and then had no hesitation in awarding the goal to leave it 1-0 to Derry City.
Waterford did not look like forcing an equaliser against a solid Derry City defence but they did have one great opportunity in the 89th minute when Ryan Burke made his way into the box but fired over the bar from a Gbemi Arubi cross.
The home side did have the ball in the net during the six minutes of added time but it was ruled offside leaving the final score 1-0 in favour of the visitors.
Derry City and Shelbourne are now locked together on 49 points at the summit of the league table with Ruadhri Higgins side on top due to a better goal difference, however Damien Duff’s side do have one game in hand.
Waterford: Louis Jones; Ryan Burke, Grant Horton (Connor Parsons 73) , Darragh Leahy, Kacper Radkowski; Barry Baggley, Rowan McDonald, Christie Pattisson (Gbemi Arubi 80), Darragh Power; Padraig Amond, Sam Glenfield (Dean McMenamy 77).
Subs not used: Matthew Connor, Robert McCourt, Ben McCormack, Connor Evans, Samuel Bellis, Shane Flynn.
Booked: Rowan McDonald (6), Sam Glenfield (23), Grant Horton (68), Darragh Leahy (83).
Derry City: Brian Maher; Ciarán Coll, Mark Connolly, Ben Doherty, Andre Wisdom; Cameron Dummigan (Sadou Diallo 63), Paul McMullan (Sean Robertson 77), Adam O'Reilly, William Patching; Michael Duffy (Shane McEleney 85), Patrick Hoban (Daniel Mullen 76).
Subs not used: Tadhg Ryan, Sam Todd, Ronan Boyce, Jacob Davenport, Colm Whelan.
Booked: Paul McMullan (50), Michael Duffy (89).
Referee: Neil Doyle.
Attendance: 2,693.
extratime.com Player of the Match: Kacper Radkowski (Waterford).
