Limerick 0 Derry City 1
After back to back league defeat, City shook off their European hangover to take all three points admist trying conditions in Thomond Park this evening. David McDaid was the hero, his second half strike proving the difference between the two sides.
Declan Devine was forced into a number of changes from Thursday’s Europa League tie against Trabzonspor. Deery and McBride formed an unfamiliar centre half partnership, whilst Patrick McEleney joined Ruaidhri Higgins in the centre of midfield, Michael Rafter leading the line for the Candystripes. Rafter was at the centre of the action in the first half, missing two decent opportunities for the Candystripes through sloppy finished and then seeing his penalty saved just before the break.
The game was evenly balanced in possession terms in the first period but Derry were much more potent in the final third, with a number of last ditch tackles and decent saves preventing the visitors from opening their account. As well as Rafter’s two early chances, Duffy also rolled a shot wide, whilst Ryan did well to save from McEleney and Higgins had an acrobatic effort tipped wide. The home side had a shout for a penalty when Kelly went to ground, but referee McLaughlin was unmoved. However the referee drew the ire of the home fans when he awarded City a penalty just before the break after a nudge from Williams sent the marauding Madden to ground. The Limerick players appealed that they expected City to put the ball out as Rafter was on the floor.
However Rafter’s effort was a very tame effort and Barry Ryan barely had to do anything to save, which caused City spirits to drop amongst torrential rain combined with thunder and lightning at the Munster venue. The second half followed the same script as the first, with both sides seeing plenty of the ball but Derry looking the more threatening. McDaid replaced Rafter and shortly after Houston was introduced for McNamee and it was to be the two substitutes who changed the course of the game. A long ball was flicked on by Houston and McDaid, alert to the chance, showed Callaghan and Williams a clean pair of heels to fire home past a helpless Barry Ryan.
Limerick nearly got back into the game when a slip by Deery gifted them possession at the edge of the box, but the City defence covered across. A low cross by Tracy found Gamble free at the back post, but from four yards out he somehow fire over the top with the goal at his mercy. City introduced Patterson as their final sub and the big striker had two chances to make the game safe. First, break clear on the right, he opted to cross when the shot seemed on. The second opportunity saw him rob the defender Callaghan and drive forward. Opting to shot early, he appeared not to catch the ball correctly and Ryan saved easily.
The last ten minutes were nervy for the visitors as injuries to McBride and Deery saw a defensive reshuffle and Houston deployed as an emergency centre half. Limerick lumped a succession of long balls into the Derry box but Doherty was never under any real danger and City were able to take a welcome three points.
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