Derry City showed no signs of a lack of match fitness as they played out a 1-1 draw in their much anticipated Setanta Cup tie at Windsor Park.

Derry started brightly and were unlucky to go behind against the run of play after eight minutes.

Derry ‘keeper David Forde handed Linfield the lead when he spilled a Noel Bailie free kick after colliding with one of his defenders. Peter Thompson cooly lobbed the stranded goalkeeper showing why he has been attracting interest from a number of English clubs.

Linfield’s lead was short lived as a rash challenge from Pat McShane on Paddy McCourt who was driving into the box handed the visitors a penalty. Mark Farrdon drove the spot kick low into the corner giving Alan Mannus no chance.

Linfield will have been the happier of the two sides to go in level at half time and when they came out they pressed Derry hard.

Minutes in McAreavy forced Forde to save at his feet and made a strong appeal for a penalty although replays showed Forde’s save was legitimate.

There were plenty of chances for both sides in an open if physical game, but the end result was a fair reflection of both sides endevaours.

Cork took the lead away to Portadown on 22 minutes when John O’Flynn nutmegged the keeper to slot home. But Portadown, second in the Irish League to Linfield, didn’t let their heads go down and equalised courtesy of Kelly just before the interval.

Drogheda United’s Dan Connor will have been relieved his side went in ahead at half time as he nearly let a simple back-pass bobble under his foot and into the open net while the game was still goalless. As it was a Mark Leech drive from the edge of the box following a darting run was enough to give the home side the points against Dungannon.

There was little sign of the League of Ireland side being out of match practice at Tolka Park as Shelbourne ran out easy 3-0 winners over Glentoran. Bobby Ryan put them ahead on 29 minutes with a delightful curled shot while striker Glen Crowe bagged one more on either side of half time.

Results in full:

Setanta Cup.

Group A.
Drogheda Utd 1 Dungannon 0
Portadown 1 Cork City 1.

Group B
Shelbourne 3 Glentoran 0
Linfield 1 Derry City 1.