High drama as Derry City bag three points courtesy of McEneff double

A DOUBLE from Aaron McEneff made it three Brandywell wins from three for Derry City but it was far from straightforward in a fascinating contest against St Patrick’s Athletic.

The midfielder’s goals looked to have sealed the points for the Candystripes in a match in which they were largely second best, but Pat’s fought back brilliantly only to be denied an equaliser by a last gasp goal line clearance in the 95th minute.

Pat’s were growing in confi- dence after a decent start but found themselves a goal down when Kevin Toner dallied on the edge of his own penalty area and his attempted punt forward was charged down by McEneff, who skipped into the area, and with the ball sitting up nicely, he produced a superb volley which flashed past Barry Murphy.

Pat’s should have been level midway through the half when they broke quickly and Jake Keegan was played in on goal. Keegan was denied by Gerard Doherty but the rebound came back to Dean Clarke, who somehow hooked his shot onto the bar before the City defence scrambled the ball behind.

From the corner, City rode their luck again, as Keegan had the ball in the net only for the effort to be ruled out for offside.

Pat’s paid for their dire finishing when City doubled their lead on 73 minutes thanks to another sublime effort from McEneff.

David Hopkirk won the ball in his own half and set McEneff away into space in the Pat’s half.

Patterson peeled off to the right and received the ball from McEneff before attempting to find his team mate with a first time low cross.

McEneff took one touch before picking his spot and drilling the ball into the top corner for his fourth goal of the season.

Pat’s hit back well and almost had a goal when Owen Garvan got a clear sight of the target, but he was denied by a brilliant save from Doherty who deflected the ball behind for a corner.

Pat’s finally got on the scoresheet when the corner fell to Garvan, and although his effort was again saved by Doherty, the rebound was smashed in by Clarke, who couldn’t miss from close range.

That set up an extremely tense finale but Derry should have wrapped it up deep into added time when Ronan Hale’s ball across the goal should have resulted in a tap in for Rory Patterson, who somehow missed.

St Pat’s went straight down the other end and, in the most dramatic finish possible, substitute James Doona’s shot was parried by Doherty but headed in until Darren Cole lashed the ball off the goal line with the final whistle seeing the Pat’s players crash to the ground while the City players celebrated the thrilling win.

DERRY CITY: G Doherty, McDermott, McEneff, Rory Hale, Curtis, Patterson, Toal, Cole, B Doherty (Hopkirk 59’), Ronan Hale, Doyle

ST PAT’S: Murphy, Bermingham, Toner, Desmond, Garvan, Byrne, Brennan (Doona 69), Madden, Clarke, Lennon, Keegan (Fagan 69)

Referee: Rob Harvey. Double: Derry’s Aaron McEneff after his opener last night