Sweeney nets a brace

DERRY City's 2010 pre-season campaign got off to a somewhat anti-climax at Institute, in the Billy Kee Memorial Cup, on Wednesday night.

The Candystripes were leading 3-0 at half-time against a very much under strength 'Stute side, but with the temperatures dropping rapidly the friendly had to be abandoned on 65 minutes as the pitch was starting to freeze over and becoming dangerous for both sets of players.

The Brandywell men started brightly and they broke the deadlock after just ten minutes when youngster Patrick McEleney had a neat cross which found David McDaid, who calmly turned away from Paddy McLaughlin inside the area, before drilling the ball home past Alan Ryan.

The lively McDaid played in an inch perfect centre on 25 minutes to find Vinny Sweeney at the back post and the right winger out-jumped Ashley Lowry before heading into Ryan's bottom left hand corner.

Four minutes later a super through ball by Ruairi Harkin released Sweeney who bravely lobbed the ball over the out-rushing Ryan to fire home his second goal for his home town club.

Unfortunately the adverse weather conditions worsened in the second half and referee Paddy McFadden rightfully abandoned the game after talking to both John Gregg and Stephen Kenny.

Institute: Ryan, Anderson, McLaughlin, Smyth, A Lowry; Blackburn, Mullan, McFadden, Beattie; P Lowry, Deane.

Derry City: Kelly, McCallion, Scoltock, S McEleneny, Friars; Sweeney, Harkin, McBride, Cassidy; McDaid, P McEleney.

Referee: Mr Paddy McFadden (Londonderry).