Dundalk FC :: Match Reports

Derry City 3-2 Dundalk FC // 29 February 2008 // Brandywell

Late Derry Strike Denies Spirited Dundalk

A Paul Smyth corker lit up the Brandywell on a wet, windy and bitterly cold night in the north, though it was a wonder strike which was not enough to earn the Lilywhites what would have been a deserved draw. After fighting their way back into the game having been 2-0 down, Smyth drove home from all of 30-yards to equalise, however, a Barry Molloy goal five minutes from time sealed a narrow 3-2 win for the Candystripes.

Stephen Kenny’s men had hit the front after less than ninety seconds through Clive Delaney, before Gareth McGlynn doubled the hosts’ lead just after the half-hour with a fine curling effort from the right edge of the area. Dundalk weren’t to roll over, however, and after a half-time roasting, they emerged from the second-half in different form. A fortuitous Robbie Farrell goal on the hour-mark pulled one back, before Smyth dragged the Lilywhites level with a screaming long-range effort. That appeared to have given the visitors an unlikely draw, however, Molloy struck late to ensure Derry maintained their 100% record in 2008.

Dundalk entered the game with a side showing three changes to the one which lined-out from the start against Bohemians on Tuesday night, as central defender Aidan Lynch, midfielder David Cassidy and striker Trevor Vaughan all returned to the starting XI in place of Ben Whelehan, Paul Crowley and Robbie Martin. Paul Marney retained his place at right-back, while youngsters Shane Grimes, Stefan McKevitt, Shane Greene and Tiarnàn Mulvenna all got another run-out. Derry, meanwhile, had defender Clive Delaney making his bow, after he returned from Bray on Tuesday afternoon.

And, it was the 28-year-old centre-half who marked his return with a goal inside ninety seconds, as Derry made a lightening start. A needless foul out on the right handed the home side a free-kick, and Delaney rose (or stood!) highest to plant a header beyond Chris Bennion’s reach from six-yards. A lively beginning, however, that was to be the height of the excitement until just after the half-hour, as City made it 2-0 on 34 minutes. Dundalk, again slack at the back, were caught out once more, and McGlynn took full advantage as he fired in a brilliant goal, curling the ball to the far top corner from inside the box.

McGlynn then turned provider moments later as his cross from the right found Molloy eight-yards out, however, under pressure, the 24-year-old headed well over from a good position. Derry were in again shortly after, as Kevin McHugh ran in on goal after a good through-ball, though his effort was thwarted by a superb last-ditch tackle from Marney, as the hosts had to settle for a two-goal cushion at the interval.

Indeed, the break came at a good time for Dundalk, as Gill’s team-talk obviously worked the trick. On 54 minutes, Cassidy shot over from long-range, before - after two Derry attacks in the space of sixty seconds were well defended - the visitors pulled a goal back just after the hour-mark. A pass-back to ‘keeper Gerard Doherty was charged down by Farrell, and the striker’s endeavour paid off as the net-minder’s clearance rebounded off him and into the net.

Four minutes later, Cassidy, who seemed to be everywhere, cut in from the left and hit a powerful shot from 18-yards, which Doherty got down well to push behind. Playing in driving wind and rain, Dundalk continued to forage forward in search of an equaliser, though it was Derry who almost restored their two-goal advantage on 66 minutes as substitute Niall Maginn cut in from the left and forced Bennion into a good save. Within sixty seconds, a Maginn cross from the opposite side was met by Sammon, however, Cassidy appeared at the back post to clear the youngster’s header off the line.

On 77 minutes, Cassidy was again involved as he saw his goal-bound chip gathered on the line by Doherty, before Dundalk pulled level a minute later. Smyth, on as a substitute just six minutes earlier - just like Tuesday night in Dalymount Park - again got himself on the score-sheet. A poor pass across the Derry defence was capitalised upon by Smyth, who ran at the backline before unleashing a wonderful effort to the top corner from almost 30-yards.

That goal appeared to have given Dundalk a draw, however, poor defensive play again cost Gill’s side on 85 minutes. Sammon, fouled by Crawley in the midfield, was allowed to play on by the referee, and after getting the ball back, the 21-year-old slid a perfect ball into McHugh, who in turn fed Molloy, with the midfielder easily dispatching to the net from just inside the box, as he slid the ball under the advancing Bennion. After Sammon missed a sitter soon after from ten-yards, the Lilywhites could well have made it 3-3 at the death as their pressure forced two corners, however, Derry held out for a narrow victory to make it six wins from six in pre-season.