Match Report: City 0-1 Derry

Cork City fell to a disappointing defeat to Derry City on Friday night in the FAI Cup Third Round as City somehow never found the net despite an attacking onslaught on the Derry goal.

City were the far better side over the ninety minutes and were dominant over the Premier Division title-challengers, and after a ruled-out goal, a clearance off the line and many opportunities to go ahead, the ball just never rattled the Derry net.

City boss Tim Clancy made two changes to his starting side that were held goalless by Athlone previously, with Greg Bolger returning to the midfield after his suspension in place of Barry Coffey, as Seani Maguire was handed his first start in a City shirt since his return, replacing Josh Fitzpatrick.

Derry City’s starting eleven was two different from their previous fixture’s draw to Dundalk in the Premier Division. Shane McEleney replaced the absent Mark Connolly at centre-half, and winger Danny Mullen started over Daniel Kelly.

City showed brilliant desire in the opening stages, forcing Derry into multiple uncharacteristic mistakes as City’s pressure got the better of the opposition.

The first opportunity of the night however ironically came from a Cork City mistake, as Charlie Lyons’ short pass was intercepted by Paul McMullan in the middle of the City half, forcing Lyons to take McMullan down just outside the box as the Scot bore down on goal, earning himself a yellow card.

The free-kick was then played short to an unmarked McMullan, who forced Brad Wade to dive low and palm the ball out for a corner.

Cork City felt they should’ve been a goal up inside ten minutes, as a swung City corner was headed poorly by a Derry defender which fell to Ruairí Keating, who somehow blasted the ball straight over the crossbar and into the stands.

Just a few minutes later City were again dangerous, as Brad Wade’s long kickout was flicked on by Keating to the feet of Dijksteel, who skilfully wriggled his way through the Derry defence and passed to the unmarked Maguire in the box, who’s shot left Derry goalkeeper Brian Maher rooted to the spot, but could only agonisingly roll wide of the post by a matter of inches.

Maguire was left to lament what could have been his fifty-fifth goal in a City shirt, and his first since his much-anticipated return.

Maguire then made a crucial tackle on a pressured Derry defender midway through the first period, turning the ball over in a dangerous spot in the Derry half. Malik Dijksteel picked up the loose ball and played Ruairí Keating in behind, but Derry shot-stopper Brian Maher did well to clear the threat.

Just a few minutes from half-time, Turners Cross erupted as a clever flick from Seani Maguire sliced through the Derry defence and played Cathal O’Sullivan in on goal, who then calmly slotted underneath the legs of Brian Maher and into the back of the net — only for the linesman’s flag to be raised, cancelling out Cork City’s goal and sparing the blushes of the Foylesiders.

As if City could do any more to deserve a goal, they attacked again in added time through quick passing play as Malik Dijksteel found space in the Derry half and did brilliantly to spot the run of Ruairí Keating to his right, who had lost his marker and shot low, beating the goalkeeper but was left with his head in his hands as Ciarán Coll made an outrageous last-ditch clearance off the goal-line to somehow keep City at bay.

City kept creating the same calibre of chances as they attacked the Shed End in the second half, as they began the half with intent with Evan McLaughlin swinging a first-time cross onto the head of Keating, but his header only floated into the hands of Maher.

For a supposed “Premier Division vs First Division” tie, a neutral wouldn’t be faulted for assuming Derry were the lower tier side, as City ran riot with chances and were on top of the Derry team for massive portions of the game.

Just before the hour mark, Seani Maguire and Ruairí Keating displayed excellent link-up as Keating poked the ball through to Dijksteel just outside the six-yard box who was racing for goal, only for the Dutchman to be flattened to the floor by the Derry defender, sparking major cries for a penalty, which referee Marc Lynch didn’t award to the adamant Dijksteel.

Although Derry were on the backfoot they still had chances to go ahead, with former Celtic winger Michael Duffy showing a glimpse of his talent in the sixty-fifth minute as he took on Darragh Crowley, Crowley showed him out to the wing but Duffy got a dangerous cross in to the back post, which Charlie Lyons headed out to deny dangerman Pat Hoban a chance.

But it was in the 72nd minute, completely against the run of play, the Candystripes broke the deadlock. Ben Doherty’s corner was an accurate one, as he picked out recent substitute Sam Todd, who rose the highest and nodded home in front of his away supporters.

It was a disappointing and sloppy goal for City to concede, especially after being so dominant for large parts of the game, as chance after chance went begging.

Derry understandably slowed the game down after their strike, and with City legs tiring, chances became few and far between in the last ten minutes for the Leesiders.

Although City dominated their Northern opponents, a part of their game they seemed massively vulnerable from was corners. After conceding from a Derry corner just minutes beforehand, Derry should’ve been two goals up as Ben Doherty found the head of McEleney who somehow directed his header wide.

City tried with their remaining stamina to find a late equaliser, before Cian Murphy’s flick-on found Keating in the box, which the striker blasted high and powerfully at goal, forcing Brian Maher to make a top-drawer save to keep his team ahead in the game.

It was a tough loss to swallow for the City players and supporters alike, as many thought it unbelievable how a side could create so much but score so little.

City now have the fourth and final Cork Derby of the season to look forward to next, as they make the short trip to St. Colman’s Park next Friday night.

The Candystripes will make another journey to Munster next week, as they face Waterford FC at the RSC.