Sport

Derry hold on despite late scare

Derry 1 Longford 0: Derry City may have dominated Longford at the Brandywell last night, but the 65th minute dismissal of substitute…

Mon Jul 17 2006 - 01:00

Derry 1 Longford 0: Derry City may have dominated Longford at the Brandywell last night, but the 65th minute dismissal of substitute Stephen O'Flynn saw the home side experience a nervous finish.

Indeed, up until that point they were in total control having dominated the opening period with goalkeeper David Forde never extended.

Showing no signs of a hangover from their exploits in Gothenburg last Thursday night, Derry got off to the best possible start when breaking the deadlock in the 14th minute.

Seán Hargan, the hero in Sweden, flashed a low cross into the danger area and Longford defender Stephen Paisley was unfortunate to divert the ball into his own net while under pressure from the ever alert Kevin McHugh.

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As Derry took the game to Longford Barry Molloy, McHugh and O'Flynn really should have extended the fragile lead before the break, with all three squandering what appeared to be glorious chances.

It was into the second half before Longford created their first noteworthy scoring chance.

In the 53th minute the industrious Dessie Baker received the ball from midfield and after going on a run saw his curling shot, from just outside the penalty area, sail narrowly wide of the target.

Then disaster struck for the home side. Having dominated their opponents for so long Derry were then stunned in the 65th minute when O'Flynn was shown a straight red card by referee Hugo Whoriskey following consultation with the fourth official, Paul Deering, following what appeared to be an off-the-ball incident involving Alan Murphy. The Longford captain received a yellow card for the part he played in the incident.

As expected the dismissal saw the pendulum swing Longford's way and as they forced their way forward Baker went close again from the edge of the penalty area in the 76th minute.

However, with Darren Kelly outstanding in the home defence, Derry held out to extend their winning league run at the Brandywell.

DERRY CITY: Forde; McCallion, Kelly, McChrystal, Hargan; Deery (Martyn 80 mins), Higgins, Molloy, Brennan (O'Flynn 29 mins); Beckett, McHugh (Farren 66 mins)

LONGFORD TOWN: Dempsey; Murphy (Byrne 72 mins), O'Connor, Paisley (Gough 61 mins), Prunty; Kirby, Fitzgerald, J Martin, Cronin (Reilly 86 mins); R Martin, Baker.

Referee: H Whoriskey (Meath).