Sport

Holders are held back

Derry City - 0 Cobh Ramblers - 0: Derry City face a double date in Cork next week following this scoreless result against Cobh…

Fri Jul 25 2003 - 01:00

Derry City - 0 Cobh Ramblers - 0:Derry City face a double date in Cork next week following this scoreless result against Cobh Ramblers at the Brandywell last night where the north-west side opened their defence of their FAI Cup.

With this replay now set for next Wednesday night at St Colman's Park, Derry will also be in Leeside on Friday to face Cork City in a league fixture at Turner's Cross.

For new boss, Dermot Keely, it will not have been a pleasant experience watching his side dominate the affair yet failing to overcome a resolute Cobh rearguard.

And Derry full-back, Eddie McCallion, will have breathed a huge sigh of relief as two under-weighted back-passes allowed Cobh striker, Kieran O'Reilly in, but he failed to take advantage.

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The first division side were well marshalled by their player-manager, Dave Hill, who kept them in shape while operating in front of his back four.

Happy to defend, Cobh failed to win a corner throughout the game as Derry held possession but their failure to penetrate will not have impressed the new boss.

The home side certainly had their chances with Ciaran Martyn, in particular, failing to defeat veteran goalkeeper Phil Harrington in at least three one-on-one situations.

That said, it was the Cork side who had a superb chance after just four minutes when David Moore played O'Reilly into space but the striker's shot was directed at Derry goalkeeper Alan Gough.

For Derry, Gary Beckett, McGlynn and Liam Coyle all should have scored before half-time but they failed to trouble Harrington.

After the break the home side maintained the momentum with McGlynn finding Sean Friars but his shot was parried by Harrington.

And McGlynn again got behind Terry White before pulling the ball back to Beckett and while he scuffed his effort, Martyn's effort was deflected wide.

However, the best chance of the half arrived on the hour mark when Coyle sent Martyn through but the midfielder dragged his effort wide of the post.

DERRY CITY: Gough; Hutton, McLaughlin, E. McCallion, Hargan; McGlynn, Martyn, Doherty, Friars; Coyle, Beckett.

COBH RAMBLERS: Harrington; Wolfe, Murphy, Andrews, White; S Yelverton, Hill, Moore, Tynan; O'Reilly, Bruton. Sub: Buckley for Bruton (75 mins)

Referee: P Tuite (Dublin)