D-DAY ENDS IN A DRAW

Dundalk 1 Derry City 1

THERE was a whiff of the familiar in the midst of the new normal at Oriel Park.

Derry City left with a hard-earned draw from the first friendly between SSE Airtricity League clubs since the lockdown ended.

But it was Jordan Flores (inset) – no stranger to scoring a spectacular goal – who took the plaudits with a blockbuster secondhalf equaliser.

Trialling a streaming service that Dundalk plan to use when the season resumes from the end of the month, home season ticket holders and Patreon members were treated to an entertaining hit-out.

Lilywhites boss Vinny Perth will be pleased with the displays of his new recruits Stefan Colovic and Will Patching, while Nathan Oduwa was dangerous after coming on as a 61st minute substitute.

It was a signing made ahead of the start of the season who scored first – Derry’s Walter Figuiera.

Latching onto a flick from triallist Joe Keaveny, the former Waterford striker fired across Gary Rogers and into the far corner in the ninth minute.

Dundalk responded well to the early set-back and were only kept at bay by some excellent Peter Cherrie saves. But there was no stopping Flores’ sweet 25-yard strike that restored parity.

SSE Airtricity League clubs will find out the scheduling for their remaining fixtures on Monday at 6pm.

Last week the FAI rubber-stamped a July 31 return to action, with the original format of promotion and relegation retained, despite opposition from the majority of top flight clubs.

The FAI Cup first round draw will take place at midday on Monday, with only SSE Airtricity League clubs participating in this season’s competition.

The draw will be live on the FAI’S Facebook page.