0 v 1 
Derry CityVideo
Details
| Date | Time | League | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 March 2022 | 7:45 pm | LOI Men's Premier Division | 2022 |
Match Report
McEleney makes mark for Derry
Patrick McEleney set his mark on his Derry City return with the all-important goal in Tolka Park as his goal took the three points back to Foyleside in a tight game against Shelbourne.
A game that was tactical and precise from the opening minute, it was always going to take something special to break the deadlock. McEleney proved to be the man with the Midas touch to produce the goods.
The first half produced little in terms of clear chances, but it did show how these sides are going to fare in terms of playing performance this season.
The opening opportunity for the home side was courtesy of Conor Kane's cross into the area that was nearly met by Brian McManus as the ball just went over the midfielder's path.
Jamie McGonigle had a series of chances that on another night would have seen him score with ease, however, both opportunities failed to see the Derry frontman find the net. The best of those was when a clever ball came to McGonigle's feet in the box and he turned on a sixpence to strike a low curling effort that failed to test Lewis Webb with any real urgency.
The second half saw Derry continue to test Damien Duff's men with Danny Lafferty going close as his header from a corner that was cleared on the second occasion. Brandon Kavanagh and McGonigle combined once again but McGonigle's effort from close range went high over the bar.
The Candystripes' persistence did pay off as like so many times before in his career Patrick McEleney was on hand to score the only goal of the match. A cross from second-half substitute Matty Smith was initially saved on the line by Webb in the Shelbourne goal but the ball fell into the path of McEleney who was on hand to tap it home from close range at the back post
Damien Duff and Ruaidhrí Higgins went to battle in a tactical game of chess this evening with McEleney proving the all-important checkmate, but for Shelbourne, the signs are showing this side could become a master of this game yet.
Timeline
| 9. Sean Boyd | 35' | |
| Jack Moylan Jordan McEneff | 43' | |
| Mark Coyle Stanley Anaebonam | 61' | |
| 61' | Joe Thomson Matty Smith | |
| 72' | 10. Patrick McEleney | |
| Sean Boyd Shane Farrell | 75' | |
| 87' | 8. Will Patching |
Past Meetings
|
(Series 17)
2 - 0LOI Men's Premier Division
Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium Derry City v Shelbourne |
|
(Series 8)
1 - 1LOI Men's Premier Division
Tolka Park Shelbourne v Derry City |
Officials
| Assistants | Fourth Official |
|---|---|
| Brian Fenlon Darragh Keegan | Paul McLaughlin |
Ground
| Tolka Park |
|---|
| Tolka Park (Shelbourne FC), Drumcondra South A ED, Dublin, County Dublin, Leinster, Ireland |
Ciaran Callan
Ciaran Callan is a part-time sports journalist based in Dundalk, Co. Louth. He has more than 10 year’s experience working with media companies including both extensive radio broadcasting experience along with print and digital media reporting for the SSE Airtricity League as well digital media work with the national sports company eirSport. He joined FinalWhistle in February 2021 as is their main correspondent for Dundalk Football Club.
Patrick McEleney set his mark on his Derry City return with the all-important goal in Tolka Park as his goal took the three points back to Foyleside in a tight game against Shelbourne. A game that was tactical and precise from the opening minute, it was always going to take something special to break the deadlock. McEleney proved to be the man with the Midas touch to produce the goods.
The ball falls to Conor Kane and he hits a low shot that goes wide of the mark.
Five added minutes here, both sides still pushing here.
Patching gets a yellow for a push.
Farrell comes on for Boyd.
GOAL! Patrick McEleney opens his account for Derry City for the second time, a cross from Smith is initially saved by Webb in the Shelbourne goal and McEleney was on hand to tap it in from close range at the back post.
CHANCE: What a chance for Derry as Brandon Kavanagh with a brilliant ball to McGonigle and he just hooks it over the bar!
Stan Anaebonam replaces Mark Coyle for Shelbourne.
Matty Smith enters the fray replacing Joe Thomson for Derry City.
Excellent work from Shelbourne seeing Sean Boyd's deflected shot leading to a corner, the short corner was cleared easily by the Derry defence.
CHANCE: A corner sent into the back post finds Danny Lafferty with a header but its well saved by Lewis Webb and the resulting ball is cleared. Good chance for the away side.
Very little in terms of action, but Shelbourne looking more threatening with Conor Kane getting a bit of room down the left.
We are back underway at Tolka with Derry restarting the game.
HALF TIME: Not much in terms of chances of note but Derry are looking the more threatening at times with Patrick McEleney starting to look to pull the strings a bit. Shelbourne looks very composed and organised.
Big blow for Shelbourne as Jack Moylan comes off, he is replaced by Jordan McEneff.
CHANCE: McEleney broke free of his marker and sent the ball to Thompson and instead of shooting he opts to play the ball to McGonigle however it's cut out by the Shelbourne defence.
Boyd is booked for a clash with the goalkeeper Maher as both contested a high ball into the area.
CHANCE: A corner sent in by Shelbourne sees Brian Maher drop the ball and the Derry defenders have to come to the rescue.
This is a real battle of tactics at the moment, both sides are very disciplined and organised and will be looking to wait and be patient. A game of chess is the best way to describe this, you just have to make the right move at the right time.
CHANCE: Another great chance for the Derry side as Brandon Kavanagh breaks into the area, he opted for the cross to McGonigle instead of shooting and he cannot latch onto the cross.
CHANCE: McGonigle gets the ball into the area from an excellent cross and his turn and shot while on target was easy enough for Webb to save.
Derry City starting to ask questions of the Shels defence, but while the movement and passing have been good they haven't quite picked the lock yet and get in behind the defence.
First real chance from Shelbroune as Kane crosses into the area and Brian McManus was in the area but the ball just goes over the midfielder's head. He rose highest but just couldn't make a connection.
Derry advance with McEleney pulling the strings but Conor Kane completely stops the attack with an inch-perfect challenge on Boyce.
Moylan making a lot of the early movement in this game, he looks to be the real dangerman for the home side, he is already creating issues for the Derry City defence.
We are underway at Tolka Park! Both sets are fans are in full voice with a good attendance at Tolka Park.
Shelbourne boss Damien Duff is anticipating a tough challenge this evening and has said that "Derry City have some of the biggest names in the league"
TEAM NEWS: Ruaidhri Higgins has made two alterations to the starting eleven following their 0-0 draw against Sligo Rovers on Monday night with Ronan Boyce and Daniel Lafferty replacing Ciaran Coll and James Akintunde.
TEAM NEWS: The Shelbourne lineup is in and there is just one change from the team that played UCD, Jordan McEniff starts on the bench and former Longford player Aodh Dervin is taking her place into the starting eleven.
Good evening from FinalWhistle HQ, Ciaran Callan here reporting on tonight's big contest from Tolka Park as Shelbourne take on Derry.