Drogheda United 1
Derry City 0
IF EVER YOU needed evidence of a new manager bounce, it was in plentiful supply at United Park as two mid-season managerial changes – Damien Richardson and Peter Hutton – went head to head for the first time.
When these two teams last met in Drogheda back in March, Mick Daly and Cliff Byrne were on target in an evenly poised 1-1 draw. Five months on, there were new managers and much water under their respective bridges.
Richardson is a recent appointment at Drogheda United and as far as an advertisement for a mid-season managerial change can go, Hutton has emerged as a very good one.
His 17 point haul from 11 games going into this one compared only slightly favourably to Roddy Collins’ record of 13 points from 12 matches at the season’s start but Hutton is getting the best out of his players. For the start, he’s playing them at least.
Of the 32 goals plundered by Michael Duffy, who was missing tonight, Rory Patterson and Patrick McEleney in this campaign, 27 of those have come since the change of manager. 17 years as a player for the Candystripes, the former defensive stalwart has got his attackers firing.
That would have had Richardson and his Drogheda charges worrying before this one. But their fears weren’t to be realised. Early on, it was the home side who made the play. Brady’s Cathal and Garreth, no relation, were central to everything good about the Louth men going forward.
The latter, younger brother of Hull City’s Robbie, went close with a curling free kick before Carl Walshe saw his shot saved by Ger Doherty. Before half-time, only Patterson troubled Micheal Schlingermann in the goal. His 25 yard shot was well struck but tipped over.
After the break, a similar pattern emerged. Drogheda were quick out of the blocks. Gary O’Neill passed up a gilt-edged opportunity from close range. Eight minutes into the second period, they did get the breakthrough.
Again it came from the left. This time Carl Walshe’s cross was met by Cathal Brady whose sidefoot effort beat Doherty at the near post. After that, despite Derry controlling possession, a resolute performance from the back four – centre halves Alan McNally and Ciaran McGuigan in particular – ensured Richardson’s men held onto their lead and an all too rare clean sheet.
Indeed, it was Drogheda who looked the likeliest to score once again. Peter McGlynn was denied as his shot from a narrow angle was saved by Doherty’s legs. The former San Jose Earthquakes man was making his full debut at United Park after a first start in defeat to Bohemians last week.
Now, Drogheda sit just two points off Derry, who remain in sixth. It will be interesting to see which mid-season managerial change finishes the season the stronger as we go into the home straight.
DROGHEDA UNITED: Micheal Schlingermann, Daire Doyle, Alan McNally, Ciaran McGuigan, Shane Grimes, Peter McGlynn, Mick Daly, Cathal Brady (Paul Andrews, 90), Carl Walshe, Garreth Brady (Paul Crowley, 84), Gary O’Neill (Declan O’Brien, 87).
Substitutes: Dylan Connolly, Sean O’Connor, Roy Kierans, Ciaran O’Connor.
DERRY CITY: Gerard Doherty, Shaun Kelly, Dean Jarvis, Barry Molloy, Shane McEleney, Nathan Boyle (Patrick McEleney, 46), Rory Patterson, Josh Tracey, Philip Lowry, Mark Timlin (Stephen Dooley, 62), Cliff Byrne (Barry McNamee, 75).
Substitutes: Ciaran Gallagher, Sean Houston, Ryan Curran, Aaron Barry.
REFEREE: Sean Grant