Shane Keegan: 'The ref bottled it, just completely bottled it'

Galway United manager Shane Keegan expressed his anger at the decision not to send off Derry City goalkeeper Ger Doherty during his side's 0-0 draw with Derry City on Monday evening.

The sides played out an entertaining game but the main talking point came three minutes in when Derry’s goalkeeper, and captain, blocked down a shot from Padraic Cunningham, placing his hands on the ball several feet outside of his box (watch the incident here).

“It was a brilliant save, it just happened to be two or three yards outside the box when he made it,” Keegan told the assembled media after the game.

“I’ve asked him [Doherty] coming off the field what he thought himself and he said he assumed the ref was going over to give him a red card. He couldn’t believe he didn’t get a red card so he‘s confirmed it himself.

“Obviously the whole game is turned on that. The ref just bottled it, just completely bottled it.

“There seems to be some history between myself and himself and between the club and him and he’s made a call that I think has influenced the game.

“It’s not a debate that’s just cold hard facts. The keeper's made a save outside of the box.”

The former Wexford Youths boss was pleased with his side’s performance during the match, particularly in the second half.

“Derry were way on top in the first half and we were riding our luck at times. We still had some chances but they were way on top,” he said.

“The second half was a huge improvement I thought we were well on top. Gerard Doherty made a couple of great saves. He’s the death of me that lad!”

Keegan was pleased with his side claiming another point, controversy aside. That point has pulled his side off the bottom of the Premier Division table on goal difference for the time being, and the Tribesmen’s boss is relishing their next test against league leaders, Cork City.

“We have one defeat in our last 11 competitive games, with Cork to come this Friday. We got a few headlines for beating Dundalk and the plan now is to get a few headlines by being the first team to stop Cork and we certainly believe we can do that on the back of tonight.”

Galway United host Cork City at Eamonn Deacy Park this Friday 12 May, kick-off is at 7:45pm.