A goal just past the half-hour mark from debutant John “JJ” Melligan extended Dundalk’s winning run to four matches and Ian Foster’s five-match unbeaten record as manager as the Lilywhites defeated Derry City 1-0 at Oriel Park on Saturday afternoon. Melligan had only signed for the club an hour before kick-off and the former Republic of Ireland U21 cap and Cheltenham Town star made an instant impact as he slotted home Liam Burns’ assist.
Chances shared
Dundalk started with two changes from the team that defeated Drogheda United on Thursday night and they were both in attack as Johnny Breen and Melligan replaced Neale Fenn and two-goal hero John Flood. Garry Breen was the first to threaten when he headed over from an Alan Cawley free-kick on 13 minutes, before the other side of the quarter-hour Ross Gaynor fired over from long range. Derry’s first attack came through Thomas McBride who cut past three defenders before a tame effort was gathered by Peter Cherrie, who was captain for the day, before at the other end Garry Breen headed narrowly wide when connecting with Gaynor’s wicked free-kick from the left.
Melligan strike
On 22 minutes, Melligan, a right-sided midfielder who started in attack, got his first chance to cross and it was a delightful ball which was set to land on Johnny Breen but Shane McEleney got up brilliantly to head away. Moments later, Dundalk survived a scare when Vincent Sweeney was within inches of connecting with a corner at the back post, before Dundalk hit the front on 31 minutes. After some pressure, the ball landed at Liam Burns’ feet on the edge of the box and his shot-cum-pass was slotted home by Melligan in the six-yard box as he marked in debut in the perfect way. It was enough to see the Lilywhites lead at the break, although they were fortunate to survive, as Emmett Friars headed over from close-range and Darren Cassidy fired wide after a fine run down the right.
Derry close
After a quiet opening to the second half Cassidy again went close, this time his 25-yard effort flashing past the post. Dundalk were keeping Derry at bay, and Gaynor went close to making it 2-0 when his powerful first-time effort from the left warmed the palms of Gerard Doherty. Gaynor then had another chance, this time following an indirect free-kick after Doherty picked up a back-pass, but his thunderous shot was well blocked away. Kyle Moran then fired wide, before ‘Man of the Match’ Tom Miller was substituted after sustaining a head injury. In injury-time, Derry twice threatened an equaliser, first Seamus Sharkey heading into Cherrie’s hands when he seemed destined to score before fellow sub Mark Farren fired inches wide from 25-yards.
DUNDALK FC (4-4-2): Peter Cherrie; Shaun Kelly (Michael Synnott 66), Garry Breen, Liam Burns (Ciarán McGuigan 60), Wayne Hatswell (Jason Mok 75); Stephen Maher, Tom Miller (Billy Smith 81), Alan Cawley, Ross Gaynor; John Melligan (Nathan Murphy 66), Johnny Breen (Kyle Moran 60).
Goal: J Melligan (31).
Booked: T Miller (58), S Kelly (60).
Unused Subs: Matt Gregg (GK), Billy Smith.
DERRY CITY FC (4-4-2): Gerard Doherty; Eddie McCallion, Shane McEleney, Mark Scoltock (Mark McChrystal 60), Emmett Friars; Patrick McEleney (Adam Clarke 60), Thomas McBride (Seamus Sharkey 71), Rory Harkin, Darren Cassidy; Vincent Sweeney, David McDaid (Mark Farren 71).
Unused Subs: Eugene Ferry (GK), Matt Harkin.
