Match Report – Derry City v Galway United

SSE Airtricity Men’s Premier Division 

Galway United 1-1 Derry City 

Galway United returned to SSE Airtricity Men’s Premier Division action on Friday evening, with a 1-1 draw against Derry City at The Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium.

United started on the front foot and Moses Dyer almost gave the Tribesmen the lead inside the first five minutes, but his effort was fired over the bar from close range.

Moments later, the Candystripes almost scored themselves, but Gavin Whyte failed to get on the end of a delivery from the left flank.

In the 9th minute, United were awarded a penalty after a foul in the box, following an Ed McCarthy throw in. David Hurley dispatched the resulting penalty past Brian Maher in the Derry goal, to give the away side the lead.

The home side responded well and they levelled matters in the 19th minute, when Greg Cunningham’s clearance in the United box was blocked by Kevin Holt and the ball ended up in back of the Galway net.

In truth, the hosts dominated the remainder of the half and they almost took the lead 11 minutes later, when the impressive Michael Duffy picked the ball up on the left wing, and he fired a right footed effort from outside the box, but his effort went narrowly wide.

To their credit, John Caulfield’s men battled hard for the remainder of the half and Patrick Hickey almost put the men in maroon ahead in the 33rd minute, but his header whistled past Maher’s post, following a Jeannot Esua cross, as the sides went in level at the break.

United changed shape for the second half, with Killian Brouder introduced at half-time, and that change appeared to strengthen United’s defence as they looked far more solid in the second period.

Despite dominating the ball for the majority of the half, the hosts failed to threaten Evan Watts in the United goal, as the game ended honours even.

Next up for United is a home tie against St. Patrick’s Athletic at Eamonn Deacy Park, next Friday at 7.45pm.