DUNDALK SALVAGED A share of the spoils in dramatic fashion at Brandywell Stadium as Richie Towell netted a last gasp strike to secure an important point in the race for the league title.
That goal ensured the Lilywhites remain clear on the summit but it was a bitter blow to take for the Candystripes who were reduced to 10 men when skipper Cliff Byrne was shown a straight red card for appearing to strike out at Patrick Hoban off the ball on 70 minutes.
The home side, searching for their second league win of the season under the reign of Peter Hutton, had fought back from an early goal from Kurtis Byrne to take a 2-1 lead with goals from Barry McNamee and a stunning long distance strike from Michael Duffy in the second half.
As it was, the Lilywhites will certainly be much happier with the point which sees them remain ahead of second placed Cork City and they can now look ahead to Tuesday night’s UEFA Europa League first round qualifier.
Advertisement
Derry captain Cliff Byrne sent off. Lorcan Doherty
Lorcan Doherty
Stephen Kenny’s Dundalk side arrived on Foyleside intent on maintaining their advantage on the summit but they were without the services of the influential David McMillan (suspended) and long term absentee Stephen O’Donnell.
Andy Boyle, however returned from suspension while Patrick Hoban made the bench following minor knee surgery. As for Derry, the Candystripes were without the suspended Danny Ventre and the injured Dave Elebert.
Derry came closest to opening the scoring on nine minutes when McNamee drove the ball dangerously across the face of goal with Mark Timlin lurking at the back post but Dave Massey superbly intercepted to deny what would have been a certain goal. And Massey was in the thick of the action at the other end when getting a powerful header to Darren Meenan’s cross from the right on 17 minutes but he somehow put his effort over the crossbar from 12 yards.
Rory Patterson had the ball in the back of the Lilywhites’ net 10 minutes later when his lobbed Peter Cherrie from a narrow angle with a delightful touch but the referee’s assistant ruled the effort out for offside.
The game sparked into life two minutes before the interval when Byrne, who was initially in an offside position, latched onto Barry Molloy’s flick on and slotted into the bottom corner to give Dundalk the lead.
Less than one minute after that breakthrough McNamee’s persistence paid dividends as he won possession on the edge of the Dundalk area and weaved his way through the defence before poking the ball beyond the reach of Cherrie and the teams went in at the break on level terms.
Dundalk emerged from the break with intent but it was Derry who took the lead with a quality 30 yard strike from Duffy which rattled the back of the Dundalk net on 51 minutes – a stunning strike from the winger.
The SSE Airtricity player of the month, Daryl Horgan limped off shortly afterwards as the problems began to pile up for the visitors, the winger replaced by former Candystripe, Mark Griffin.
Derry were reduced to 10 men on 70 minutes as skipper Byrne was sent off for an off the ball clash with substitute Patrick Hoban who was on the pitch for just two minutes. After consulting with his assistant, referee Rob Rogers flashed a straight red and the big Scot saw his last action of the night.
Dundalk were pressing and Byrne could probably have scored when he met Meenan’s cross on the half volley inside the area but he blasted over the crossbar with six minutes to go.
five minutes added time
DERRY CITY: G. Doherty; D. Jarvis, R. McBride, C. Byrne, A. Barry; M. Timlin, B. Molloy, B. McNamee, P. McEleney (S. McEleney, 76), M. Duffy; R. Patterson (Nathan Boyle, 90);
Subs not used: C. Gallagher,N. Boyle, J. Tracey, T. McNamee, C. Burke, R. Curran.
DUNDALK: P. Cherrie; S. Gannon, B. Gartland, A. Boyle, D. Massey; D. Meenan, J. Mountney (P. Hoban ’68), C. Shiels, (R. Higgins ’74), R. Towell, D. Horgan (M. Griffin, 56); K. Byrne.
Subs not used: G. Sava, S. Kelly, C. O’Connor, G. Poynton.
Referee: Robert Rogers.
Tonight’s other Airtricity Premier Division results
Last-gasp Towell strike rescues Dundalk after Duffy's Candystripe crackerjack
Derry City 2-2 Dundalk
DUNDALK SALVAGED A share of the spoils in dramatic fashion at Brandywell Stadium as Richie Towell netted a last gasp strike to secure an important point in the race for the league title.
That goal ensured the Lilywhites remain clear on the summit but it was a bitter blow to take for the Candystripes who were reduced to 10 men when skipper Cliff Byrne was shown a straight red card for appearing to strike out at Patrick Hoban off the ball on 70 minutes.
The home side, searching for their second league win of the season under the reign of Peter Hutton, had fought back from an early goal from Kurtis Byrne to take a 2-1 lead with goals from Barry McNamee and a stunning long distance strike from Michael Duffy in the second half.
As it was, the Lilywhites will certainly be much happier with the point which sees them remain ahead of second placed Cork City and they can now look ahead to Tuesday night’s UEFA Europa League first round qualifier.
Stephen Kenny’s Dundalk side arrived on Foyleside intent on maintaining their advantage on the summit but they were without the services of the influential David McMillan (suspended) and long term absentee Stephen O’Donnell.
Andy Boyle, however returned from suspension while Patrick Hoban made the bench following minor knee surgery. As for Derry, the Candystripes were without the suspended Danny Ventre and the injured Dave Elebert.
Rory Patterson had the ball in the back of the Lilywhites’ net 10 minutes later when his lobbed Peter Cherrie from a narrow angle with a delightful touch but the referee’s assistant ruled the effort out for offside.
The game sparked into life two minutes before the interval when Byrne, who was initially in an offside position, latched onto Barry Molloy’s flick on and slotted into the bottom corner to give Dundalk the lead.
Less than one minute after that breakthrough McNamee’s persistence paid dividends as he won possession on the edge of the Dundalk area and weaved his way through the defence before poking the ball beyond the reach of Cherrie and the teams went in at the break on level terms.
The SSE Airtricity player of the month, Daryl Horgan limped off shortly afterwards as the problems began to pile up for the visitors, the winger replaced by former Candystripe, Mark Griffin.
Derry were reduced to 10 men on 70 minutes as skipper Byrne was sent off for an off the ball clash with substitute Patrick Hoban who was on the pitch for just two minutes. After consulting with his assistant, referee Rob Rogers flashed a straight red and the big Scot saw his last action of the night.
Dundalk were pressing and Byrne could probably have scored when he met Meenan’s cross on the half volley inside the area but he blasted over the crossbar with six minutes to go.
five minutes added time
DERRY CITY: G. Doherty; D. Jarvis, R. McBride, C. Byrne, A. Barry; M. Timlin, B. Molloy, B. McNamee, P. McEleney (S. McEleney, 76), M. Duffy; R. Patterson (Nathan Boyle, 90);
Subs not used: C. Gallagher,N. Boyle, J. Tracey, T. McNamee, C. Burke, R. Curran.
DUNDALK: P. Cherrie; S. Gannon, B. Gartland, A. Boyle, D. Massey; D. Meenan, J. Mountney (P. Hoban ’68), C. Shiels, (R. Higgins ’74), R. Towell, D. Horgan (M. Griffin, 56); K. Byrne.
Subs not used: G. Sava, S. Kelly, C. O’Connor, G. Poynton.
Referee: Robert Rogers.
Tonight’s other Airtricity Premier Division results
Rover breathe life into title challenge as Students put to bed early
St Patrick’s gain ground on leaders Dundalk as Fagan hits the double
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
Cliff Byrne SSE Airtricity League Premier Division Match Report Michael Duffy Richie Towell Derry City Dundalk whizzbang