Aaron McEneff grabbed a late equaliser for Derry City against St Pat’s at Maginn Park
AARON McEneff grabbed a late equaliser and a vital point for Derry City after they came from behind to draw 2-2 against St Patrick’s Athletic at Maginn Park tonight (kick off (7.45 pm).
There is still no win for the Candy Stripes in five league games and one cup match since the sad passing last month of ‘Captain Courageous’ Ryan McBride at his Brandywell home.
But Derry never gave up the fight tonight with their never-say-die attitude and the two back-to-back draws will hopefully boost the lads confidence and surely a win is only around the corner.
City were dealt two injury blows prior to kick-off with both Nathan Boyle and Nicky Low picking up groin problems in the warm-up and they were replaced by Aaron McEneff and Mikhail Kennedy.
McEneff went close on eight minutes as his long range strike was parried away by St Pat’s young keeper O’Malley, who made the first of a number of top draw saves.
St Pat’s took the lead somewhat against the run of play on 21 minutes. as Conan Byrne found his namesake Kurtis, who broke in behind the City defence before nut-megging the out-rushing Gerard Doherty.
Then it was the O’Malley versus City show as the young St Pat’s keeper denied Harry Monaghan, Ben Doherty and Kennedy, before the home side deservedly levelled matters on 39 minutes.
Striker Ronan Curtis cut in from the left before seeing his curling effort flash past O’Mailey and into the bottom right hand corner.
In a much more even second half it was St Pat’s who regained the lead on 69 minutes in super fashion as Conan Byrne’s sublime chip from the right hand edge of the box, sailed over Doherty.
City levelled things for a second time this time McEneff made no mistake blasted home from just inside the box, after Conor McDermott’s lay-off created the chance.
Derry City: G Doherty, McDermott, Barry, Jarvis, B Doherty; Schubert, Monaghan (Daniels 85), McEneff, Curtis; McNamee, Kennedy (Farren 63).
St Patrick’s Athletic: O’Malley, Barker, Peers, Feely, Bermingham; C Byrne, Desmond, Markey, K Byrne (O’Hanlon 79), Dennehy; Verdon (Kelly HT).
Referee: Mr Neil Doyle (Dublin).
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