League Report: Derry City 0-0 Limerick

Despite a very good first-half performance, Derry City couldn’t make it count as they played out a 0-0 draw with fellow strugglers Limerick at the Brandywell on Friday evening - a lack of clinical finishing from both sides meaning they will continue to prop up the Premier Division table at the end of this weekend.

Peter Hutton’s men sought to make a statement from the outset, with two chances falling to Patrick McEleney in the first ten minutes of the game.

After six minutes of play, McEleney found himself in space on the left side before taking aim. However his attempt curled harmlessly over the crossbar of visiting 'keeper Freddie Hall. Just two minutes later, McEleney should have opened the scoring for the hosts - he was played in behind the Limerick backline, but a poor first touch invited Hall to advance and collect comfortably.

Unfortunately, the quick tempo didn’t last and the game entered a dry spell with neither side having any goal scoring opportunities until just after the half-hour mark. Again it was the home side who fashioned the chance.

McEleney flicked the ball in behind and Mark Timlin was happy to give chase, beating the offside trap. The winger drilled a low cross towards the six-yard box where Stephen Dooley was lurking. The Ballymoney native is just back from a long stint on the sidelines and it showed as he couldn’t finish the move, firing harmlessly wide from close proximity.

The more attack-minded of the two McEleney's was making a nusiance of himself again 60 seconds later when he slipped Barry McNamee through on goal, with the midfielder's well-placed shot tipped around the post by Hall. Then just before the half-time interval, McEleney again showed great skill before looping the ball towards Dooley at the back-post - but despite some neat close control, the winger could only blast over the bar.

As Paul Tuite brought first-half proceedings to a close, home fans in the Brandywell could be forgiven for having that sinking feeling at the all too familiar sight of Derry simply being unable to convert their chances. Travelling Blues fans would have been the happy to go into the break with the game still scoreless as Limerick failed to create a single notable goalscoring opportunity.

This was a pattern which would continue into a second-half which severely lacked a spark from either side. With the prospect of relegation looming larger over these two teams with each passing week, they cancelled each other out at every turn, both failing to create a decent chance in the whole second period.

Derry pushed in the final 10 minutes for the winner, bringing on both new signing Mark Quigley and fellow striker Cillian Morrison. However, neither could prevent this game ending goalless on Foyleside, with Limerick now 21 league games without a win - their last three points earned in a 1-0 win over Sligo Rovers at Thomand Park in October 2014.

Derry City: Gerard Doherty; Rob Cornwall, Ryan McBride, Shane McEleney, Dean Jarvis; Mark Timlin, Barry McNamee, Shane Lowry, Stephen Dooley (Ronan Curtis, 77); Patrick McEleney (Mark Quigley, 82), Ryan Curran (Cillian Morrison, 86).

Subs not used: Shaun Patton, Josh Daniels, Seamus Sharkey, Aaron Barry.

Yellow cards: None.

Limerick: Fred Hall; Robbie Williams, Aidan Price, Jason Hughes (Lee Lynch, 71); Ian Turner, Shane Duggan, Shane Tracy, Seán Russell, Paul O’Conor; Ross Mann (Prince Agyemang, HT), Dean Clarke.

Subs not used: Tommy Holland, Seán Harding, Vinny Faherty, Darragh Rainsford, Paudie O’Connor.

Yellow cards: None.

Referee: Paul Tuite.

Extratime.ie Man of the Match: Patrick McEleney.