McGovern rescues a point for Derry City

Derry City 1 UCD 1

Roddy Collins' decision not to select striker, Rory Patterson, backfired against UCD at the Brandywell, the students deservedly leaving with a share of the spoils.

Patterson, Derry’s recognised penalty taker, was playing in the Ulster Senior League against Drumkeen United, when the senior side were awarded a spotkick after 10 minutes in the Brandywell.

UCD defender James Kavanagh tripped Patrick McEleney but the latter, deputising for Patterson, was denied by a superb save from UCD 'keeper Conor O'Donnell.

The home side dominated early on but they were stunned in the 34th minute when the UCD took the lead.

Robert Benson played a captain's role when he raced from inside his own half and with the Derry midfield failing to close him down, the midfielder produced a magnificent lob over the advancing Ger Doherty. However, two minutes before the break the home side were level, a perfect cross was floated into the danger area by John Paul McGovern which was headed home by Michael Duffy.

UCD then dominated the clear-cut scoring chances after the break yet in so many one-on-one situations, they failed to take advantage with Benson, Chris Mulhall and Samir Belhour all squandering glorious chances.

For Derry, JP McGovern, Enda Curran and McEleney all had chances but they failed to get past O'Donnell.

Meanwhile Derry reserves managed to defeat Drumkeen 3-2 but Patterson failed to get on the scoresheet in Donegal!
DERRY CITY: Doherty; Collins, Byrne, Elebert (Barry, h-t), Jarvis; McGovern (Stewart, 70), Ventre, McEleney (Foy, 81), Duffy; E. Curran, R. Curran.
UCD: O'Donnell; Douglas, Boyle, Kavanagh, Langtry; Belhout, Creevy, Benson, Mulhall; Crowe; Morrison.
Referee: R. Harvey (Dublin).