Derry City drop more crucial points in title race

SSE Airtricity League of Ireland Premier Division: Derry City 1-1 Bohemians

Not for the first time this season Derry City failed to capitalise when given a chance to win their first title in over two decades.

The Brandywell men had to come from behind to secure a point against lowly Bohemians, as they have now won one league game in their last eight games, certainly not championship winning form.

Ruaidhrí Higgins’ charger had the clear-cut chances to win, but on this showing Shamrock Rovers, who sit in second place, look a better bet to claim their fifth league title in a row and on current form are leader Shelbourne’s likely challengers.

The first tune played at half-time by the Brandywell announcer was Survivor’s ‘Eye of the Tiger’ but the Candystripes failed to focus in another disappointing first half.

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While they had a good spell for a five minute period, for too much of the opening 45 minutes, City’s play was slow and lethargic and flat and the atmosphere matched the performance.

The visitors had the first effort on target after just three minutes as Dayle Rooney was awarded too much time and space some 25 yards from goal, but his well hit drive was turned over by Brian Maher.  

Minutes later Michael Duffy, who netted a wonder free-kick in last week’s FAI Cup win, went close again from a set-play, but his long range effort was superbly tipped over by Kacper Chorazka.

Duffy’s resulting corner found an unmarked Pat Hoban at the near post, but the striker’s powerful header at the near post from close range flew well off target.

City went close again to breaking the deadlock moments later as Duffy’s left wing cut-back found Paul McMullan, but his close range shot, which had Chorazka beaten, was cleared off the line by Jordan Flores.

After starting brightly, the visitors took the lead somewhat against the run of play as Archie Meekison made no mistake from close range, after Rooney’s left wing cross found the midfielder unmarked at the back post.

Derry should have levelled things a minute later as Will Patching got in behind the Bohs back-line, but his side footed shot from acute angle was kept out by Chorazka.

The Foylesiders went close to levelling things on 40 minutes but Ben Doherty’s 20 yard strike was straight at Chorazka.

Derry suffered an injury set-back on 57 minutes as Doherty seemed to pull his hamstring and had to be replaced by Daniel Mullen.

Ruaidhri Higgins’ side were lucky not to be reduced to ten men on 59 minutes as Andre Wisdom’s under hit back pass would have released Adam McDonnell, but the ex-Liverpool man pulled the Bohs man down when he would be baring down on the goal, however referee Neil Doyle only showed him a yellow card after awarding the free-kick.

That bit of luck seemed to spark Derry and they equalised on 61 minutes as Hoban rose superbly to powerfully head home Duffy’s out-swinging right wing corner.

Derry missed a golden chance on 77 minutes as substitute Daniel Mullen burst clear down the left before crossing to an unmarked McMullan, who has only scored three goals in his 58 appearances for the Candy Stripes, but from close range the winger’s side footed effort hit the post.

That McMullan missed chance summed up the home side’s disappointing performance.

Derry City: Maher, Boyce, Connolly, Wisdom, Doherty (Mullen 55); Diallo, O’Reilly, Patching (Coll 64); Duffy, Hoban, McMullan (Robertson 88).

Bohemians: Chorazka, Kirk, Mills, Byrne, Flores (Carroll 76); McDonnell, Devoy; Meekison (Grant 70), Tierney, Rooney (McManus 85); Clarke (Piszczek 76).  Referee: Neil Doyle (Dublin).