Derry City suffer more frustration as Galway United ease to draw at Brandywell

Belfast Telegraph

2 days ago

The Candystripes, who lost successive games before the mid-season break, did fight back quickly from the concession of an early goal, with Kevin Holt's second goal of the season wiping out David Hurley's early penalty.
But despite an encouraging first-half from the home side, they were unable to replicate it in a forgettable second period, with the Candystripes now 11 points off Shamrock Rovers at the top of the Premier Division.
Galway scored courtesy of a long throw-in on their last visit to the Brandywell back in March and they very nearly did so again after just four minutes, Edward McCarthy's throw flicked on by Pat Hickey into the path of Moses Dyer, but the striker fired over from close range, much to the relief of the City defenders.
The home side should have had the lead just 90 seconds later, however, when Sam Todd broke into the area from the left wing and his ball right across goal somehow missed Michael Duffy and then Gavin Whyte, with any touch needed to take the ball over the line from two yards out.
The Derry defence just couldn't handle the Galway long throw and it cost them again on 10 minutes when McCarthy's throw was again flicked on by Hickey and the players all stopped stunned when referee Declan Toland pointed to the penalty spot, signalling that Holt had his arms around Dyer.
Hurley stepped up to send Brian Maher the wrong way to give Galway the lead.
Derry drew level in fortuitous circumstances quickly however. Whyte brought the ball down well in the area before turning to fire the ball across goal, where Gregory Cunningham attempted to clear it, but only cannoned the ball off Holt, sending it spiralling back into the net past Evann Watts.
Neither side could really take control despite that hectic start to the game, but there were chances at both ends, Duffy curling a superb effort just past the upright from 20 yards before Jeannot Esua crossed for Hickey to send a header just wide for Galway.
Danny Mullen was beginning to make his presence felt as the game approached half-time, but his finishing was eluding him as he shot over twice in quick succession, the second of which was a real opening after more good work from Todd.
The home side had one final chance at the end of a busy first half when Duffy's free-kick found Todd rising high at the back post, but the defender headed over. It was close, but not close enough, which summed up the first-half for Lynch's side.
With little happening in the second-half, Lynch made a number of changes, the most notable of which was Sadou Diallo returning after a long spell out with a broken arm, the midfielder making his first appearance in 13 games.
But the home side were unable to break Galway down, with the frustration in the stands translating to the players on the pitch, who looked bereft of ideas in the closing stages of a disappointing performance.
Derry now face a double trip to Dublin to face champions Shelbourne and St. Patrick's Athletic over the space of four days next weekend.
Derry City: Maher, Cann, Connolly, Holt, R Boyce (Diallo 76), Winchester, O'Reilly, Whyte (McMullan 64), Todd, Duffy (Thomas 86), Mullen (L Boyce 76).
Galway United: Watts, Byrne, Slevin, Esua, Cunningham (Brouder HT), Buckley, Hurley (Burns HT), Borden (McCormack 56), McCarthy (Walsh 87), Hickey, Dyer (Shaw 88).
Man of the Match: Sam Todd (Derry City)
Match Rating: 5/10