Derry City 0–0 Sligo Rovers
A packed house at the Bit O’Red’s home saw Sligo Rovers hold league contender Derry City to a scoreless draw on Saturday night at The Showgrounds.
Neither team really got going in what was undoubtedly not a classic match, and both goalkeepers were mostly silent the entire time.
This indicates that none of the Premier Division’s teams have won both of their first two matches.
Late in the game, the visitors had the best opportunity to win, but Rovers goalkeeper Ed McGinty made a heroic save to ensure a share of the spoils.
The team led by John Russell entered this match fresh off a stalemate with Bohemians in their first encounter. The Bohs’ late goal in extra time kept the Bit O’Red from winning all three points.
In that match, Rovers shown a lot of encouraging indicators, and Russell was happy with his team’s effort and vigour.
This weekend’s guests at The Showgrounds stand in stark contrast to the nine new signings that Russell welcomed during the off-season.
During the winter, Derry City only added Patrick Hoban and Daniel Kelly to their roster.
In 2021, Higgins won both of his games at The Showgrounds, where he also won his debut game as manager of Derry.
However, he has not triumphed in a match in Sligo since August 2021. In fact, he lost both of his games there in 2023 as Derry gave up crucial points in their title defence.
Additionally, Higgins, Russell’s opponent, made two changes from the team that defeated Drogheda United 2-1 in their opening game. Russell was able to pick the same starting 11 for two weeks in a row.
Sam Todd joined the team, and Patrick McEleney made his first appearance of the year.
Jordan McEneff and Ben Doherty were moved to the bench.
After just three minutes, Patrick Hoban found Will Patching, but the former Dundalk player was unable to sustain his effort.
After Fabrice Hartmann was tackled on the edge of the box, Simon Power pulled a low free kick wide of the post. On the twenty-second minute mark, Connor Malley had a beautiful effort that Brian Maher brilliantly stopped.
Before the half, McEleney and Cameron Dummigan were substituted, with the latter being carried off the pitch on a stretcher, forcing Ruaidhri Higgins to make two substitutions.
Higgins’ team suffered a severe blow with the loss of both players, as the score was tied at halftime.
On minute fifty, Michael Duffy showed off his speed when he cut in from the left and attempted a long range shot, but it was misdirected.
On minute fifty-two, Hartmann, an RB Leipzig loanee, missed the mark, failing to duplicate his incredible goal against Bohs the week before.
As the clock approached the ninety-minute mark, both defences stood tall and, to their credit, allowed for very few opportunities for either team.
With two minutes remaining, Derry had the opportunity to win the match.
When Nando Pijnaker went to clear Cameron McJannet’s ball from Duffy’s cross, he totally missed the ball.
Just needing to go around McGinty, Daniel Kelly was waiting in the box, but the Oxford loanee stepped off his line and stopped Kelly’s shot.
Kelly fell down, claiming Kailin Barlow had fouled him, and was booked for a dive in the box three minutes later.
Even though the season is still early, John Russell’s team may find value in the point.
Rovers have a big weekend ahead of them starting on Friday with a home game against Shelbourne and continuing on Monday night with a trip to Dundalk.
The Sligo Rovers lineup is as follows: Ed McGinty; Ellis Chapman (Kaiin Barlow 73); Max Mata (Wilson Waweru 83); Fabrice Hartmann (Will Fitzgerald 73), Simon Power; Ollie Denham, Nando Pijnaker, Reece Hutchinson; Niall Morahan, Conor Malley.
Derry City: Will Patching; Michael Duffy, Paul McMullan (Daniel Kelly 76); Pat Hoban; Ronan Boyce, Sam Todd, Mark Connolly, Cameron McJannett (Ben Doherty 76); Cameron Dummigan (Jordan McEneff 45+4), Patrick McEleney (Adam O’Reilly 40).
