KAV A BIT OF THAT
Derry sub Cian bags a priceless winner
RUAIDHRI Higgins rolled the dice with his second-half substitutions and watched the numbers come up on the green baize of Richmond Park as Derry City rapped out a title message of intent.
In a predictably tight and tigerish exchange, City’s bench pressed Pat’s into defeat and edged the Candystripes to within two points of leaders Shamrock Rovers.
Joe Thomson and Cian Kavanagh had only been in the fray for a minute or so when they combined for a spectacular winner’ and inflicted damage on the Saints’ Euro ambitions.
While Pat’s responded instantly through Chris Forrester, who smacked the butt of an upright, it was almost inevitable on a night of few clear-cut chances that the first goal would prove decisive.
The Candystripes were worth the win as they bossed the first half and had enough about them to keep the Saints at arm’s lengths before teenager Kavanagh struck with a beauty.
A late flurry from the home side was expected, but there was an unnecessary edge at the death as Forrester and Ryan Graydon each earned a second yellow and were sent off in the 97th minute by referee Derek Tomney.
Moments later, the final whistle went, and there appeared to be some afters in the tunnel before peace broke out and Derry’s staff and players could celebrate in front of their joyous fans. They knew this win was significant.
On a night of soft rain and swirling breezes, the marathon men of the Irish U21s, Joe Redmond of Pat’s and Brian Maher of Derry, returned from the shores of the Mediterranean to the banks of the Camac. This was high stakes too, for club rather than country.
Derry enjoyed the high ground early on. They were slicker, quicker and pinned the Saints back for spells.
Their midfield dominated, with Cameron Dummigan at one apex, minding the house, and Patrick McEleney at the other, initiating attacks. The Saints were forced to feed on scraps and had to work their socks off to keep their guard up.
Michael Duffy had an early chance, and then a later one, but missed the target each time.
Will Patching was licking his lips as he stood over free-kicks from the edge of the box but he made neither count, although his second effort drew a fine full-length stop from Danny Rogers. Before the break, he rifled a left-footer from a promising position when he should have worked Rogers.
And, yet, the Saints had their moments. From a corner in the 15th header, Derry dithered and Teenager Sam Curtis directed a free header on target. Maher treated the ball like a hot potato and Harry Brockbank stabbed at the rebound, prompting a wee commotion.
The Saints claimed the ball was over the line but referee Tomney wasn’t hearing it and awarded a free-kick for a foul on Maher. Curtis, still only 16, illustrated his promise when he bombed down the left flank and pinged over an inviting cross, only no one was there.
Mostly, the Saints were unable to commit bodies forward, such was the territorial control of Derry and they were grateful to reach half-time level.
Whether it was Tim Clancy’s hairdryer or the wind at their backs blowing towards the Kilmainham end, the Saints jumped out of the blocks on the restart, the tone set by a driving run from Adam O’Reilly.
Forrester, his influence growing, unleashed a fierce inswinging free which Maher touched over, and later claimed a penalty as he took a tumble in the box.
Derry’s clearest chance fell to Mark Connolly early in the half but the defender lacked the touch necessary in front of Rogers.
At the midway point, Higgins injected fresh legs from the bench and it paid off.
Duffy’s free-kick from deep was headed on by Thomson and Kavanagh’s right-foot finish, taken on the run, was as sweet as a peach.
It was a goal worthy of winning any game and its value may increase in the coming weeks. ST PATRICK’S ATH: Rogers; Cotter, Grivosti,