McDaid the Derry ace

Limerick FC 0 Derry City 1

David McDaid’s second-half strike separated the sides on a night of frustration for Limerick.

Manager Stuart Taylor said: “I felt we were the better team in the first half, I felt we dominated the game.

“Once the goal went in Derry really defended well, all credit to them. That’s why they are in European football, or were in European football. That’s something we strive to achieve.”

The Candystripes were handed a gilt-edged opportunity to open the scoring in the 39th minute after David O’Leary clipped Michael Duffy inside the box. But Michael Rafter’s weak spot kick was saved by Lims keeper Dave Ryan, who dived low to his left to maintain parity for his side.

Limerick could have had a penalty of their own in the 15th minute when Barry McNamee fouled Sean Kelly inside the area. The Shannonsiders then had a further penalty appeal dismissed minutes before Rafter fluffed his effort after David O’Leary’s rising drive was handled by Kevin Deery.

Limerick had a glorious chance just past the hour. Axel Bossekota crossed from the right but when Derry keeper Ger Doherty parried Craig Curran’s header, Joe Gamble somehow blazed over from inside the six-yard box.

Stuart Taylor’s side paid the price for spurning that opportunity as sub David McDaid slipped in behind the home defence to hammer past Ryan minutes later.

At the other end, Doherty had to race swiftly off his line to deny Bossekota following an excellent through ball from Stephen Bradley.

Galbraith had the ball in the back of the net with eight minutes remaining, but the Lims front runner’s effort was ruled out for a marginal offside.

LIMERICK: Ryan, Williams, Kelly, O’Callaghan, O’Leary (Sheedy 79) Bradley, Gamble (Feeney 85) Tracey, Galbraith, Bossekota (Nzuzi 86) Curran,

DERRY CITY: Doherty, Higgins, Deery, McEleny, McBride, Kavanagh (Patterson 73) Rafter (McDaid 58) Madden, Osborn, Duffy, McNamee (Houston 64)

Ref: P McLoughlin (Monaghan).

Booked: Kavanagh, Duffy (Derry City)