Stephen O’Donnell’s new-look side produced a fine display as Dundalk kicked off the 2022 SSE Airtricity League season with an entertaining 2-2 draw against Derry City at Oriel Park.
Steven Bradley and Mark Connolly, two of eight players in the starting XI who were handed their Dundalk debut, twice put the Lilywhites in front but Joe Thomson and Jamie McGonigle levelled on both occasions to see the sides share the points.
Dundalk enjoyed the better of a lively first half with Sam Bone, who was deployed at right-back, rampaging forward at every opportunity to force Brian Maher into two smart saves.
Ruaidhri Higgins’s side had their own chances and Connolly had to clear a Brandon Kavanagh effort off the line before we took the lead with xx minutes played.
Paul Doyle of Dundalk in action against Brandon Kavanagh of Derry City during the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division match at Oriel Park. Photo by Ben McShane/Sportsfile
A quick transition from Dan Williams set Bradley away on the right and he jinked inside the penalty area before firing expertly to the bottom corner with his left foot.
The sides went in level at the break, though, as Thomson netted from close range after a quick Derry City break down the right ended with McGonigle picking him out in the six-yard box.
A brief snow shower turned the second half into a scrap and Patrick Hoban almost put Dundalk back in front early in the second half but he couldn’t convert.
A second goal did arrive in the 74th minute when a Robbie Benson corner was bundled home by Mark Connolly to send Oriel into raptures.
Joe Adams of Dundalk in action against Cameron Dummigan of Derry City during the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division match at Oriel Park. Photo by Ben McShane/Sportsfile
The lead lasted just five minutes, however, as McGonigle headed home from close range after some good play on the left by substitute James Akintunde.
McGonigle hit the woodwork on two occasions while Benson had a penalty appeal waved away before the death and a draw was probably the correct outcome as both sides went home with a point.
DUNDALK FC: Nathan Shepperd; Sam Bone, Andy Boyle, Mark Connolly, Lewis Macari (Mark Hanratty 90); Robbie Benson, Dan Williams (Keith Ward 82), Paul Doyle (Daniel Kelly 60); Steven Bradley, Patrick Hoban, Joe Adams (Greg Sloggett 60). Subs not used: Peter Cherrie (GK), Brian Gartland, John Martin, Ryan O’Kane, David McMillan.
DERRY CITY: Brian Maher; Cameron Dummigan, Cameron McJannet, Eoin Toal, Ciaran Coll; Joe Thomson, Ciaron Harkin (Patrick McEleney 65), Brandon Kavanagh, Daniel Lafferty (James Akintunde 65); Will Patching, Jamie McGonigle. Subs not used: Nathan Gartside (GK), Shane McEleney, Gerard Storey, Jack Malone, Caoimhin Porter, Orinn McLaughlin, Liam Mullan.
REFEREE: Rob Harvey.
