Sport

Galway make a point but Derry still go top

LEAGUE OF IRELAND PREMIER DIVISION: Derry City 1 Galway United 1 DERRY CITY may have climbed onto the summit of the Premier …

Sat Apr 04 2009 - 01:00

LEAGUE OF IRELAND PREMIER DIVISION: Derry City 1 Galway United 1DERRY CITY may have climbed onto the summit of the Premier Division, but they will be hugely disappointed at dropping two points to a spirited Galway at the Brandywell last night. Stephen Kenny's Candystripes take over from Bohemians who were beaten 1-0 at home by Cork City.

Having more or less dominated the game, Galway caught their hosts cold during the early stages of the second half to level the game.

When Derry did get back into full stride, Galway goalkeeper, Barry Ryan, proved unbeatable having given an outstanding performance, particularly during the latter stages of the game.

Totally on top during the early stages, the home side deservedly broke the deadlock in the 21st minute when Gareth McGlynn gained possession on the right and his low cross was diverted to the Galway net by the well-placed Thomas Stewart from 10 yards.

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Derry were proving too strong in midfield and continued to dominate proceedings which led to further chances, but they failed to add to their advantage.

But failing to pick up where they had left off, Derry were caught cold as Galway began to take advantage of the home team’s complacency.

And following a corner in the 52nd minute, the visitors stunned the home side with an equaliser.

Having failed to clear the danger, the ball fell into the path of Séamus Conneely and the Galway defender drilled a low shot from 25 yards which screamed into the Derry net.

That goal sparked the home side back into action and while Sammy Morrow went close with a header in the 55th minute, goalkeeper Ryan did well to win a race for possession with Thomas Stewart following a poor back pass.

Ryan continued to thwart the Derry attack when he pulled off two top-drawer saves in the space of as many minutes.

In the 68th minute, Ryan dived at full stretch to his right to parry Liam Kearney’s superb strike and in the 70th minute the goalkeeper pulled off an equally brilliant save to deny Barry Molloy’s goal-bound effort.

With one minute remaining Derry substitute and debutante, Tam McManus, was played in by Mark McChrystal but again Ryan did well to block the shot with his foot.

DERRY CITY:Doherty; O'Brien, McChrystal (Higgins, 90 mins), Hutton, Gray; McGlynn (McClean, 84 mins), Molloy, Martyn, Kearney (McManus, 74 mins); Morrow, Stewart.

GALWAY UNITED:Ryan; Conneely, Breen, Guthrie, Davoren; O'Shea, McBrien (Cooke, 60 mins), Kelly, McGrath (Murphy, 76 mins), O'Brien; Faherty.

Referee:R Winters (Wicklow).