City youngsters lead Sporting comeback

A NEW look Derry City mounted an impressive second half fightback to secure a deserved draw against Sporting Fingal at the Brandywell on Tuesday evening.

Plummeting temperatures and the lure of the multinationals Real Madrid, Lyon, AC Milan and Manchester United contesting Europe's elite football competition on the television ensured just a couple of hundred fans watched this Derry's third pre-season friendly.

The newly-promoted Dublin side controlled the game throughout the first 45 minutes with former Longford and St Patrick's Athletic playmaker Alan Kirby pulling the strings in midfield.

Sporting were good for their one nil lead when former Shelbourne striker Gary O'Neill poked home although a tentative Candystripes defence comprising Eddie McCallion, Shane McEleney, Mark McChrystal and former Newry City man Emmet Friars - really should have cleared their lines.

In fairness, Sporting could have been further ahead. Just prior to the opener the Leinster men had a stonewall penalty turned down after the aforesaid Kirby was kicked in the air inside the box. Neither ref nor linesman saw it apparently.

And whilst width was offered in attack with James McClean and former Cliftonville winger Vincent Sweeney hugging the byline and attempting to get forward at every opportunity City caused Sporting Fingal little enough problems first half.

Derry did force a number of good saves from Fingal keeper Brendan Clarke but the visitors were good for their halftime lead.

The second half saw a raft of changes for both sides and a much improved performance from the home side who certainly reversed the balance witnessed in the opening 45.

And City manager Stephen Kenny can take heart from exuberant displays by newcomers to the first team such as former Oxford United man Adam Clarke, former Northampton midfielder Thomas McBride and former Sunderland man Patrick McEleney.

Seamus Sharkey, Darren Cassidy and Matthew Harkin also contributed when introduced.

The fact the city youngsters controlled the second half against a side including former Republic of Ireland, Shelbourne and Bohemians hitman Glen Crowe by playing slick on-the-deck football shows the club moving in the right direction.

Though a tendency to play the lofted easily read long ball over the opposition fullback was all-too-evident at times and scuppered City's pure-minded intentions too often.

Teenager David McDaid eventually grabbed the deserved equaliser towards the death when Barry Molloy picked out overlapping right-back Seamus Sharkey who in turn picked out McDaid with a great centre. The young centre-forward dispatched expertly with his right.

Given Sporting Fingal's performance in the first Divsion and the FAI Cup last season they are a side Derry need to be able to live with and on Tuesday the 17 Candystriped contributors proved they could.