League Report: Galway United 0 - 0 Derry City

Galway United and Derry City played out a lively affair in Eamonn Deacy Park on Monday night despite the sides failing to find the net and the game finishing 0-0.

Controversy surrounded the first chance of the game when Padraic Cunningham took the ball outside the right hand side of the Derry box. The young striker took his shot as Derry goalkeeper Gerard Doherty advanced.

Doherty produced a great effort to block the shot down with his hands but the keeper was several feet outside of his box causing uproarious scenes in the Galway United technical area when the keeper only received a yellow card for his infraction.

The Tribesmen were lucky to not give away a penalty to the visitors later in the first half when Marc Luddens foot was raised very high while going up against Derry’s Joshua Daniels, with the left back receiving a yellow card for the dangerous challenge.

Derry midfielder Barry McNamee stood over the resulting free kick but his effort was deflected away by a well-positioned Galway wall.

Half way through the first half Ronan Murray showed a touch of class to find Gary Shanahan blazing down the right flank but the winger’s first touch let him down and Doherty easily collected the ball.

The Candystripes headed straight down the pitch to test Conor Winn in the Galway goal. It was Barry McNamee who got the shot away deep in the Galway box but Winn just about managed to tip the ball past the post.

After a long period of inactivity by both sides Derry striker Nathan Boyle had another clear cut chance to put his side in front after some defensive indecision by Lee Grace but Conor Winn showed his agility to keep the ball out of his net.

Early in the second half Padraic Cunningham really showed off his confidence after scoring against Drogheda United last Friday night. Gary Shanahan put in a great cross to the young striker, Cunningham was caught at an awkward position but the player had no problem attempting a bicycle kick but his shot lacked power and posed no threat to Gerard Doherty.

Derry City responded with an early chance of their own when Joshua Daniels cut in from the right flank and stung Conor Winn’s hands with a shot at the Galway goal.

Gary Shanahan had a great chance to break the deadlock midway through the second half after Kevin Devaney played him into the Derry box. The winger controlled the ball well and cut inside his marker but he blazed his shot well wide of Gerard Doherty’s goal.

The Tribesmen began creating better chances than they did in the first half and Murray and Ludden linked up well to set up Kevin Devaney for a free header in the Derry box but the Gerard Doherty just managed to keep the ball out of his net with his feet.

Moments later Gary Shanahan got the better of Dean Jarvis down the right wing. Shanahan sent a great cross in to Ronan Murray. The striker blasted his shot at the Derry goal but Doherty was again able to make a great save.

In the closing minutes Padraic Cunningham had a clear chance to win the game for his side when Devaney played a lovely through ball to the striker. Gerard Doherty was the hero once again for Derry as he stopped another shot.

Neither side could find the net in the end but this latest draw takes The Tribesmen off the foot of the Premier Division table and the side are now unbeaten in seven games in all competitions.

Galway United: Conor Winn; Colm Horgan, Marc Ludden, Lee Grace, Stephen Folan; Gavan Holohan (Alex Byrne 90), David Cawley, Kevin Devaney, Gary Shanahan; Ronan Murray, Stephen Folan.

Subs not used: Ciaran Nugent (gk), Paul Sinnott, Conor Melody, Maurice Nugent, Aaron Conway, Jesse Devers.

Booked: Marc Ludden (19), Ronan Murray (75), David Cawley (80).

Derry City: Gerard Doherty; Conor McDermott, Dean Jarvis, Ben Doherty, Aaron Barry; Aaron McEneff (Rory Holden 81), Barry McNamee, Harry Monaghan, Joshua Daniels (Lukas Schubert 76); Ronan Curtis, Nathan Boyle (Nicky Low 67).

Subs not used: Eric Grimes (gk), Mark Timlin, Scott Whiteside, Mikhail Kennedy.

Booked: Gerard Doherty (5).

Referee: Robert Hennessy.

Attendance: 723 (official)

Extratime.ie Man of the Match: Gerard Doherty (Derry City).