Kenna earns first point

Derry City 0 Galway United 0:  JEFF KENNA earned his first league point with a deserved draw at the Brandywell last night.

The former Irish international defender watched his side compete favourably with the home side, and they could have nicked it had Vinnie Faherty hit the target midway through the first half.

In fact, Stephen Kenny's men, who had been top scorers during the early stages of the season, continued to suffer in front of goal, with Galway centre-half Wesley Charles starring and goalkeeper Gary Rogers always alert.

After a extremely poor opening half, Galway should have broken the deadlock but home goalkeeper Gerard Doherty pulled off an excellent save in the 62nd minute from Derek O'Brien.

Kenny made two changes after an hour with Paddy McCourt and Conor Sammon entering the fray, and the latter threatened in the 69th minute but his shot on the turn was directed at Rogers.

In the 78th minute Rogers blocked a shot by Sammon from eight yards, and when the Derry striker miss-kicked the rebound McCourt lashed the ball agonisingly wide of the upright.

DERRY CITY: Doherty; McCallion, Delaney, Hutton, Gray; McGinn, Molloy (McGlynn, 75 mins), Higgins, Morrison (McCourt, 60 mins); Farren, McHugh (Sammon, 65 mins).

GALWAY UTD: Rogers; Nootimeer, Charles, Fitzgerald, McCullock; O'Shea, Deegan, Russell, O'Brien (Fenn, 74 mins); Faherty (Leech, 84 mins), O'Flynn (Glynn, 82 mins).

Referee: D McKeon (Dublin).

© 2008 The Irish Times

This article appears in the print edition of the Irish Times