| Bit O'Red take a point from Derry |
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| Sunday, 05 October 2008 | |
 Conor O'Grady got the goal against his former club as Sligo Rovers came away with a rare point from The Brandywell in a match that they almost snatched the winner in the dying minutes on Friday night.
Report courtesy www.rte.ie Stephen Kenny made no fewer than eight changes to the side which defeated Cork City in the FAI Cup last Tuesday night, and, at one stage in this game against Sligo, that decision threatened to back-fire. While the newlook Candystripes clearly dominated the ball for long spells, it was Sligo who led at the break with ex-Derry midfielder, Conor O'Grady finding the net in the 31st minute. Seamus Coleman crossed in a low ball from the right and as the home defence dithered, Conor O'Grady raced in to flick the ball on and then deftly chip it over startled keeper Darren Quigley. Derry's Billy Dennehy, Ciaran Martyn and Thomas Stewart all threatened to restore parity before the interval, but all three failed to the hit the target when well placed. After the break, the home side continued to romp forward in search of the equaliser and it duly arrived in the 65th minute, from the penalty spot. Brian Cash was adjudged to have hauled Martyn down off the ball when inside the area in the 65th minute, and referee Damien Hancock immediately pointed to the spot. Up stepped Stewart and, for the second time in four days, the Derry hitman produced an emphatic finish from the spot. In the 78th minute, Stewart produced a superb shot from just outside the area, but impressive Sligo keeper Richard Brush produced a magnificent save when turning the ball around the upright. While Sligo had been forced onto the back foot throughout the second period, they had a great chance to steal the points when Cash was sent clear by Doherty, but Derry custodian Darren Quigley raced from his line to block the shot in the 82nd minute. But the home side finished strongly, with Brush pulling off another two spectacular saves during the latter stages from Stewart and substitute Niall McGinn. Derry City: Quigley; McCallion, McChrystal, Callaghan (McGinn, 59), Hargan; McGlynn, Martyn, Higgins, Dennehy (Morrow, 74); Stewart, Farren (McHugh, 81). Sligo Rovers: Brush; Coleman, Almeida (Judge, 58), Peers, Ventre; Cash (McTiernan, 84), O'Grady, Ryan, Doherty; Boco, Cretaro. Referee: D Hancock (Dublin). |
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