DERRY UP TO THIRD AS LIMERICK HIT A HIGH FIVE
DROGHEDA drew a blank for the fifth match on the spin as they frustrated Bohemians at Dalymount Park. With two of the lowest scoring sides in the league coming face to face it was never going to be a thriller as Pete Mahon’s visitors dug out a third successive scoreless draw. The better side in a dour first half, Drogs were second best after the break — but held on for a point. BOHEMIANS: Supple; Pender, Cornwall, Byrne, Morris; Poynton, Sule, Brennan (Gannon, 71), Fitzgerald (Simon, 81); Ward; Corcoran. DROGHEDA UNITED: McGuinness; Deasy, Gallagher, McGuigan, Dunne; Wixted, Hyland (Masterson, 68), S. Brennan, McEvoy, G. Brennan; Griffin (Byrne, 78). Referee: Lee Evans (Wales). PAUL BUTTNER DERRY CITY entered the mid-season break in third spot following this victory in Buncrana last night.
Ronan Curtis opened the scoring after just five minutes with a superb free-kick before Nathan Boyle made it 2-0 with a header. Galway battled back in the 25th minute when Gary Shanahan reduced the deficit from close range but Derry finished the game the stronger to see out victory. DERRY CITY: G Doherty; Monaghan, McDermott, Barry Jarvis; Daniels, McEneff, Holden, Curtis; McNamee; Boyle (B. Doherty 87). Scorers: Curtis 5, Boyle 9. GALWAY UNITED: Winn; Horgan, Folan, Grace; Shanahan, Holohan, Cawley, Ludden; Murray, Faherty (Cunningham, 82), Devaney (Melody, 87). Scorer: Shanahan 25. Referee: R Harvey (Dublin) ARTHUR DUFFY LIMERICK ran out winners after late drama in Garryowen. Chiedozie Ogbene netted a first-half brace before Ryan Brennan and Aaron Greene levelled matters. Rodrigo Tosi headed Limerick back in front before half-time before Gary McCabe equalised from the spot. Late strikes from Bastien Hery and Dean Clarke sealed it for the hosts. LIMERICK: Hall (Clarke, 46); Kelly (Clarke 33), Whitehead, Williams, O’Connor, Robson (Tracy50); O’Conor, Hery, Lynch; Ogbene, Tosi. Scorers: Ogbene 13, 18, Tosi 35, Hery 87, Clarke. BRAY: Cherrie; Buckley, Clancy, Kenna, Lynch (Sullivan 64); Salmon (Moore, 64), Noone; Brennan, McCabe, Connolly; Greene. Scorers: Brennan 20, Greene 25, McCabe 70 (pen). ANDREW CUNNEEN THERE was no separating northwest rivals Sligo Rovers and Finn Harps in a tense derby lacking in creativity at the Showgrounds last night.
With the stakes high for both these teams, an even game featured only three shots on goal, only one of which hit the target.
Raffaele Cretaro went closest in the 38th minute, spinning his marker at the edge of the box before dipping a left-foot effort off the top of the crossbar. SLIGO: Schlingermann, Adebayo-Rowling, CallanMcFadden, Leahy, Donelon, Boylan, Russell, Ayunga, Sadlier, Cretaro (Kenny 89), Place (Roddan 71). FINN HARPS: Gallagher, McNulty, Cantwell, Mailey, Coll, McAleer (Funston 90), Boyle, McCourt (Bonner 63), Houston, O’Connor, Dsane. Referee: R Rogers (Dublin). DARRAGH COX