Galway United 1
Derry City 2
DERRY CITY GOT their campaign off to a perfect start as they came from behind to salvage a 2-1 victory over the reborn Galway United at Eamonn Deacy Park tonight.
In front of over 2,000 supporters, including President Michael D. Higgins, Derry pulled the game out of the fire thanks to second-half goals from Sean Houston and Ryan Curran in a gritty win.
United got off to an ideal start when new signing Samuel Oji headed them in front in an opening half which the hosts dominated. They could have pushed further ahead as Jake Keegan and Gary Shanahan both went close for Tommy Dunne’s charges.
But a makeshift Derry emerged looking more like themselves after the restart, as Houston levelled on the hour mark and Ryan Curran’s header squirmed home nine minutes from time to give them a precious three points on the road.
United pushed for a leveller late on but it never came, as Jason Molloy and Padraic Cunningham were introduced off the bench but Derry’s defence stood firm against the new boys in an entertaining end-to-end game.
Depsite the result, the performance suggested Galway United may well be able to cut their teeth at this level, after financial difficulties plunged the club out of the league in 2011.
GALWAY UNITED: Conor Gleeson, Andy O’Connell (Jason Molloy, 85), Stephen Walsh, Samuel Oji, Colm Horgan, Gary Shanahan, Paul Sinnott (c), David O’Leary, Jake Keegan, Enda Curran (Padraic Cunningham, 78), Ryan Connolly.
DERRY CITY: Ger Doherty (c), Dean Jarvis, Shane McEleney, Aaron Barry, Shaun Kelly, Josh Daniels, Philip Lowry, Sean Houston, Barry McNamee, Paddy McEleney, Ryan Curran.
Man-of-the-match: Patrick McEleney.
Referee: Paul McLaughlin.