Galway United 0
Derry City 0
John Fallon reports from Eamonn Deacy Park
THE FIFTY FIFTH league meeting between these two ended in a 13th draw as neither could find a way to break the deadlock in an entertaining tussle.
Both sides had opportunities to hit the front in this re-arranged tie on a sunny evening in front of a crowd of 723 in Galway.
The home fans were up in arms from the early stages when Derry ‘keeper Ger Doherty escaped with a yellow card when he handled outside the box.
Padraic Cunningham chased a long ball down the right and tried to chip the advancing ‘keeper after five minutes but referee Robert Hennessy only dished out a yellow card.
Derry, hoping to build on the weekend 2-0 success over Bohs, settled into the game and came close to breaking the deadlock with Ronan Curtis twice going close.
The superb Barry McNamee swivelled and struck after 26 minutes but Galway ‘keeper Conor Winn was equal to the task.
Ronan Murray did most to try prise open the Candystripes’ defence but skipper Doherty was untested and they turned around with the stalemate in tact.
The pace of the game continued at a good intensity after the restart with Cunningham failing to get power into an overhead kick, while at the other end some super work by Josh Daniels created an opening but Winn dealt with his effort.
But Galway should have hit the front with two good chances going into the final quarter but Kevin Devaney failed to make the most of a free header, with ‘keeper Doherty saving with his feet after 69 minutes.
Then just over a minute later good work down the right by Gary Shanahan set up Ronan Murray but Doherty went low to save.
Derry didn’t sit back and Curtis went close with a header after a free from distance six minutes from time.
Galway almost snatched a late winner but Doherty produced another fine save, this time to tip a scorching shot from Cunningham over the crossbar two minutes from time.
Galway United: Conor Winn; Colm Horgan, Lee Grace, Stephen Folan, Marc Ludden; Gary Shanahan, Gavan Holohan (Alex Byrne ’93), David Cawley, Kevin Devaney; Padraic Cunningham, Ronan Murray.
Derry City: Gerard Doherty; Conor McDermott, Aaron Barry, Dean Jarvis, Ben Doherty; Joshua Daniels (Lukas Schubert ’77), Harry Monaghan, Aaron McEneff (Rory Holden ’83), Ronan Curtis; Barry McNamee, Nathan Boyle (Nicky Low ’67).
Referee: Robert Hennessy (Limerick).
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