Derry City 1
Dundalk 2
Simon Collins reports from The Brandywell.
PAT HOBAN CLINCHED a late winner at the Brandywell for Dundalk who closed the gap on second placed Derry City to four points.
It was the Lilywhites first win of the season on the road as Derry slipped seven points behind leaders Shamrock Rovers.
Robbie Benson gave the visitors a deserved lead on 10 minutes with a brilliant strike from distance.
City substitute James Akintunde headed in the equaliser from a Will Patching free-kick just eight minutes after coming off the bench in the second half.
Derry appeared most likely to net a winner but Hoban broke the hearts of the home support when firing clinically into the bottom corner with eight minutes remaining.
Dundalk boss Stephen O’Donnell was shown red by referee Rob Harvey for his celebrations after the goal which incensed the Brandywell support.
Patching rattled the woodwork with a free-kick in the fourth minute of stoppage time but Derry ultimately fell to a third defeat of the season.
With just two points to show from their last four league matches, Derry boss Ruaidhri Higgins will be grateful for the quick turnaround in fixtures as they travel to Sligo on Monday night.
Rovers’ comprehensive victory over UCD on Thursday night increased the pressure on Derry who were on a three game winless run which saw them slip seven points behind the leaders.
That pressure intensified as third placed Dundalk made a blistering start to this top of the table clash on Foyleside.
Dundalk were the dominant team in the opening stages and when Sam Bone played the ball into the feet of Benson on 10 minutes, the midfielder turned his man and bent the ball into the bottom corner with a clinical left footed strike.
The visitors were putting their hosts under pressure from the off playing with a high press and deserved their early lead.
Derry responded well and when Jamie McGonigle crossed from the right wing Joe Thomson’s close range volley was turned behind comfortably by Nathan Shepperd on 16 minutes.
From the resultant corner Ronan Boyce rose highest but his header went harmlessly over the bar.
Ex-Dundalk midfielder Patching picked up a loose ball and worked his way into the penalty area before trying to find the far corner with a curling strike which went over the bar.
Stephen Bradley came close to doubling Dundalk’s lead on 33 minutes but fired over the crossbar moments before Thomson’s acrobatic overhead kick from 12 yards was saved by Shepperd at the other end.
Brian Maher made a smart save at his near post to deny Benson from range after the goalscorer neatly turned his man from a throw-in.
It was a frenetic finish to the half as Derry pressed for an equaliser and Darragh Leahy needed to make a vital clearance from Patching’s cross into a crowded penalty area but the home side went into the interval trailing by that solitary goal.
Derry’s 1997 league title winning team were presented to the attendance at half-time to mark 25 years since Felix Healy’s side finished top of the pile.
Ruaidhri Higgins’ needed the memories of that last championship victory for the Candy Stripes to evoke a second-half comeback and keep their own title aspirations intact.
Derry enjoyed plenty of possession but couldn’t find that killer pass in the final third. Patching dragged his shot wide of the target from distance as the home side’s frustrations began to simmer to the surface.
Toal, making his 150th appearance for City sent a towering header over the bar from Patching’s corner on 70 minutes.
Derry substitute Akintunde won a free-kick in a promising position on the edge of the penalty area after Leahy impeded him as he made his way towards goal.
Patching’s inch perfect delivery into the six yard box was met by the head of Akintunde who headed into the net for his third goal of the season with 15 minutes to go.
The goal reenergise the home support and Derry were pushing for a winner and looked the most likely side with Dundalk on the ropes.
However, Derry were caught in possession just outside their own box and when the ball was played into the stride of Hoban he expertly found the far corner of the net with eight minutes left on the clock.
That goal sparked wild celebrations among the Dundalk bench and when O’Donnell turned to goad the Brandywell support, match referee Rob Harvey flashed a second yellow card to the Dundalk boss.
There was a long delay as O’Donnell was escorted from the stands and down the tunnel as the home support were up in arms.
Six minutes of added time was signalled by the fourth official and McJannet was fouled 30 yards from the Dundalk goal to give Derry a chance at goal.
Patching stepped up but his curling strike was saved comfortably by Shepperd.
Patching had another chance to find his range from a free-kick when he was fouled by Bradley in the fourth minute of stoppage time but this time he rattled the crossbar.
Derry City: Maher: McEleney, Toal, McJannet; Boyce (Akintunde 67), Dummigan, Patching, Kavanagh, Thomson, Smith; McGonigle.
Dundalk: Shepperd; Macari, Connolly, Bone, Leahy; Bradley, Doyle (Martin, 78), Sloggett, Kelly (Ward, 58); Benson, Hoban (McMillan, 89):
Referee: Rob Harvey (Dublin)
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Their 367th home draw of the season.
@WJH: it’s doesn’t matter a fook. A final is a final is a final yes?
@WJH: that might be funny if it was original. But alas……………..
@WJH: and yet we could finish the season with two trophies! Unbelievable Jeff!
What a joke. I’m not even going to celebrate this victory. How can they dod a bullet against a side 12th in La Liga??
Jose, your tatics confirmed one thing for me. You are the biggest AssClown that has ever lived in this game. End of story!
@Conor Cahill: Vigo were in tie for 10 mins that’s about it
@Conor Cahill: it wasn’t a victory, lad. We drew. Doesn’t matter though we’re in the final, and that team in 12th beat Barce this year
@John Flynn: who’s we, are you part of the team in some way?
@John Flynn: Celta Vigo had lost five previous games in all competitions, scoring just once….They are shite, nonsense bringing Barca into it!
@Lord Clanricarde: they beat Real Madrid too. They also put all their eggs in the Europa League basket and gave up on the league.
@Paddy: yeah I was out there playing tonight. Did you not see me?
@John Flynn: missed that some how, in that case carry on celebrating
@John Flynn: and Madrid away
@Irishoversea: eh did u watch the game mate? Vigo bossed the 2nd half snd only for that donkey of a citeh reject would have sailed try!!!
@leonard byrne: yes watched all the game and Vigo were only in it with 10 mins to go.. when it was 2-0 to United Vigo weren’t in the game at all United had 2 goal lead
Job done , I can see Utd winning it now!
@Adrian Costigan: Go home, Adrian, you’re drunk! -_-
@Adrian Costigan: they won’t beat Ajax…and they’ll finish 5th or 6th in the Premiership…well more than likely 6th as that’s their position they have owned that place since October LAST YEAR….what a team to be proud of….NOT…
@dannyboy: same guy who said Celta Vigo would beat them. Good man.
@casual.tri.guy: I wish I could use my throwing my eyes up to heaven emoji for half the rubbish spouted here. I gave up commenting on the 42 for a week. Think I’ll make it permanent. How many game do you play in the Europa league to get to the final? And they’re shite?! Please. Not a classic performance no but they deserve to be there
Play like that again and its ajax cup
@Stiofán Ó Cearnaigh: to be fair Ajax made hard work of Lyon after having a 3 goal lead
@Irishoversea: 4 goal lead
A few pairs of messy pants being wore by United fans all around the world now. Man that Guidetti is brutal.
@The Pig: yea, I’m one of em. Unlucky Celta. They were excellent. That forward is absolutely shite.
@Nollaig Elliot: you can only beat what’s in front of you and United done it over 2 legs. Ajax in final i wouldn’t be worried. Champions league Ball next year again. Not his biggest fan but José has a c.v you can’t knock. The Pig.
@The Pig: I’ll take the win all day and look forward to the final but Jose played a dangerous game sitting back at home in a semi final. Blind had a nightmare. Bailly a huge loss.
@The Pig: Guidetti is brutal but can’t put too much blame on him for that last chance. The other lad should have taken the shot and it was one pass too many and he was caught off guard. That said he missed 3 or 4 other chances too.
@Nollaig Elliot: good job he was a citeh reject lol r we b out lol
Guidetti getting the stick when your man had a clear shot and chose to drill it across the box at pace and behind the striker. Another shocker at home. Where to start with new players. So many average holes in the team. Have no idea what lingard offers. He did less than nothing
@Ray Taff: Lingaard is solely there for marketing purposes, keeps the aul Instagram and Twitter feed ticking over with handshakes and dance videos from the dressing room!
@Lord Clanricarde: I was at the Swansea game 2 weeks ago and Lingard was actively refusing the ball. Hand out, don’t give me that pass kinda job. Horrible to watch and he’s robbing his 100k a week. Fergie would have farmed him out to Yeovil and he would never have been seen again and that’s the facts.
Blind and Darmian looked like pub team players any decent team would have took advantage of that. Can’t complain to much when getting to a final but United are awful to watch completely disjointed tonight. Bailly out for the final is a massive loss.
@Eric Djemba-Djemba: blind was so poor I don’t think he would have played the final or even again this season but now with bailly out he probably will
@Eric Djemba-Djemba: agree that left side was weak. Someone bring this lingard joke to an end. He not physically strong to play at this level.
Herera doing pogba work again !
@Declan Doyle: not just his strength, he isn’t interested in creating anything, he just goes for the pass back to anyone that passes to him
@Declan Doyle: Agreed Declan, Pogba was poor yet again tonight. I’m still waiting for him to dominate midfield in a game for a guy of his height and strength. Instead he just tries to be flash and gets dispossessed so friggin often. As a United fan I’m happy they’re in a final but they are painful to watch.
Poor Guidetti must of had concussion otherwise he would easily scored and knocked United out..
@Irishoversea: it’s serves him right for going down and rolling around like a tramp on the ground. Also his focus was all wrong it should have been all about Celta Vigo and not stupidly bring City into it, every chance he had to score I guarantee he was trying to score for city.
Well done UTD, well done Jose.
UTD back in a European Final.
John Guidetti disgracefully got a fellow professional Bailly sent off through simulation, a fellow pro who will now miss the opportunity to play in a European Final then missed an absolute sitter at the death.
Hahahahahahaha!
Hope you have nightmares for a month over that. May it haunt you forever you cheat.
Karma’s a beech.
@Jack Cassady: surely red can be overturned on appeal.
@Denis McGrath:
Looked to me as if Tony V had more of an impact on the player.
Definitely appeal the card. Shocking that Bailly should miss a final over that piece of nonsense.
@Denis McGrath: I would hope so Denis.
United have to appeal.
That dive was a disgrace. Miss couldn’t have happened to a bigger pr##k. Delighted for him.
@Declan Doyle: can’t raise your hands even if you do go down like a 5 dollar tramp. Stupid. He’ll be a big loss
@Jack Cassady: a bit like vidic did to drogba in Moscow 2008 . Rolled around like a little girl when drogba touched his face . I hope Bertrand traore tears you lot a new one !
Jose should have enough for Ajax in the final. They will come at UTD who will sit back and hit on the break.
Or just sit back and then sit back some more, take it to extra time and sit back some more and hope De Gea does the business in the peno shoot out…. Jose will be driving the double decker for the Final
@Dan: The last 10mins Ajax v Lyon was some nailbiting stuff. Heard fireworks going off in Amsterdam just after the final whistle. They’re a very eager side, anything’s possible in that final. Hoping for an Amsterdam party.
@Dan: ya like weve done all season mate nooott!!!!
@leonard byrne: why affect the accent when you can discuss it normally like everyone else ??
Ajax will beat them
@Aidan Holden: easy money waiting for ya so in the bookies aidan, being a man of your convictions and all
3/1 some price
@Declan Doyle: he’s all talk. Won’t back them.
Sitting watching the last 15 mins and u could see the goal coming! Did Mourhino not ffs!
@Denis McGrath: agree Denis. They desperately ran out of legs at the end
@Declan Doyle: Just like so many games at OT this season. I can’t help but blame d manager. Martial and Mata either wud a been an outlet n took Lingard off
@Denis McGrath: Doesn’t mean he could do anything about it
@Denis McGrath: no cos hes a fffn tool!! Stevie wonder could see that with hellen kellers eyes ffs!!! Maureen is clueless hence chelseas season this year!!!
Has the realisation just set in with United fans about Jose? What else did you expect? That is his style of football, grab an early goal and sit back and spoil the games as much as possible. He is a defensive manager, only gets results when you the team to do it. That United team isn’t the Chelsea team that put him on the map.
@….: Porto put him on the map.
@David: Sorry meant in the Premiership.
@….: He won the champions league, with Porto. Who cares about the premiership?
@David: Because United play in that League
Ajax wouldn’t put the fear of god into you but they will be well prepared. united haven’t done well against teams from the Netherlands either.
Would of taken few years to get it together be giggs should have got the job all along
We have become average football club Old Trafford is not feared Fortress it once was!
Jammy Baskits i was hoping they would lose.