Dundalk notch rare away win

Dundalk stunned Derry City at the Brandywell last night, the Lilywhites recording their first win on the road since last June.

Derry City can have no complaints, Sean McCaffrey’s side always appearing more hungry with complacency clearly having set in with the home side.

Derry players may well have had one eye fixed on Monday night’s Setanta Cup semi-final return against Rovers as Dundalk silenced the big Brandywell crowd.

Dundalk broke the deadlock after 14 minutes when Shane O’Neill gained possession on the right and his low centre found the unmarked Michael Rafter, the striker drilling the ball home from 12 yards.

It didn’t get any better for the home side after the break as they huffed and puffed in the final third.

And when experienced defender Eddie McCallion and goalkeeper Ger Doherty got into a defensive mix-up in the 51st minute, the game was up for the Candystripes.

Waiting for Doherty to come and claim a back pass, the defender knocked the ball past the advancing keeper and the alert O’Neill raced in to guide the ball home.

With seven minutes remaining, substitute Ruaidhri Higgins reduced the deficit when his looping header found the net.

On the stroke of full-time, Derry’s Davy McDaid was brought down by Chris Shiels and while referee Damien Hancock pointed to the spot, that decision was changed following discussion with his assistant.

However, from the free-kick, Dundalk keeper Peter Cherrie pulled off an amazing save when he touched Dermot McCaffrey’s fizzing shot over his crossbar to ensure the visitors deservedly held on to the points.

DERRY CITY: Doherty; Madden (Higgins 64), McCallion, McBride (McGroary 64), McCaffrey; McEleney, Deery, Molloy, McLaughlin; McDaid, Farren.

DUNDALK: Cherrie; McLaughlin (Walsh 67), Burns (Waters 9), Danville, Osborne; O’Neill (Reilly 88), Shields, Thomas, Mountney, Shanahan; Rafter.

Referee:D Hancock (Dublin).