Harry Monaghan should have scored with a clear cut opportunity but he directed his header over the Cork City bar
IT wasn’t by any way a classic but Derry City did enough to secure European football next season in a 0-0 away draw against Cork City this evening (kick off 7.20 pm).
The point at Turner’s Cross helped Cork secure their first Premier Division title in 12 years..
But it could have been so different if Derry had have taken their chances in the first half.
It took the home side 26 minutes to finally have their first sight of goal but Gearoid Morrissey’s ambitious strike from distance drifted harmlessly over the Derry goal.
Derry, looking a win that would see them edge past Shamrock Rovers into third spot in the table, almost grabbed sensational opener through Rory Patterson after half an hour.
Harry Monaghan ought to have scored for the Candy stripes moments later but he somehow drilled his close range header from Aaron McEneff’s corner over the target to the relief of the 5,857 home fans in attendance..
With the first half drawing to a conclusion, Garry Buckley twice tried his luck from long range but after he drilled a free kick straight at keeper Gerard Doherty, he also had a curled effort denied by the Derry shot stopper.
The second period started with a similarly low tempo as Derry continued to sit deep whilst Cork failed to find a way to break through their resilient defence.
Again Cork City looked to find the net from distance as Jimmy Keohane found himself in space on the edge of the Derry box but his tame shot was easily saved by Doherty.
As the half progressed, the atmosphere grew tense as Cork were unsure whether to settle for the point that would seal the title or go in search of the winner to win it in style.
In the end it was the former as Cork kept control of possession, refused to take any chances going forward and sealed the clubs first title since 2005.
CORK CITY: Mark McNulty; Steven Beattie (Conor McCarthy 70), Alan Bennett, Ryan Delaney, Shane Griffin; Conor McCormack, Gearoid Morrissey; Jimmy Keohane, Garry Buckley, Stephen Dooley (Kieran Sadlier 61); Karl Sheppard (Achille Campion 91).
DERRY CITY: Gerard Doherty; Conor McDermott, Darren Cole, Aaron Barry, Dean Jarvis (Nicky Low 77); Aaron McEneff, Harry Monaghan; Ben Doherty, Barry McNamee, Ronan Curtis; Rory Patterson.
Referee: Ray Matthews (Westmeath).
Tags: