Kavanagh comes off the bench to rescue a point at Dundalk

Dundalk 2

Derry City 2

Cian Kavanagh’s second half header prevented Derry City from falling to a third successive league defeat in a dramatic game at Oriel Park.

The striker came off the bench for the injured Jamie McGonigle before sending a brilliant header past Nathan Sheppard just when his team needed it with Dundalk heading towards a smash and grab win. 

Leading at half time through Ben Doherty’s goal, the Candystripes conceded two goals in 60 seconds before Kavanagh responded. Not even the return of Michael Duffy could inspire City to a win from there, with Dundalk playing the last eight minutes with 10 men following the dismissal of defender Wasiri Williams.

Derry almost got off to the perfect start with Nathan Sheppard beaten after just three minutes. Ben Doherty’s corner was cleared to the edge of the area where Sadou Diallo met it first time with fiercely struck effort which beat the Dundalk goalkeeper but rattled the crossbar.

A poor first half ended in spectacular fashion for Derry City who finally took the lead with their first shot on target. A well-worked move ended with Graydon passing inside to Ben Doherty, who looked up before curling the ball beyond Nathan Sheppard and into the net for his second goal of the season. The timing of the goal was perfect for Ruaidhri Higgins and his players with a poor Dundalk team very much there for the taking.

The game was turned on its head dramatically in the second half with two Dundalk goals in the space of 60 seconds as Derry City fell apart.

Ryan Graydon gave away a needless free kick just outside his own penalty area on 70 minutes and Keith Ward’s delivery was headed into the net by Robbie Benson to equalise.

The home supporters were still celebrating when Derry then inexplicably gave the ball away from their own kick off and Johannes Yii-Kokko ran clean through to slot the ball under Maher to make it 2-1 within seconds.

Ruaidhri Higgins responded immediately by bringing on both Michael Duffy and Ollie O’Neill from the bench, replacing Graydon and Coll.

The drama was far from finished however, as Derry City then equalised to quieten the crowd once again, Cian Kavanagh looping a header over Sheppard to score only his second goal for the club to make it 2-2.

A frenetic end to the game then saw Dundalk reduced to ten men when defender Williams received a straight red card for a two-footed lunge on substitute Ollie O’Neill on 87 minutes. The defender, who earlier injured Jamie McGonigle with a bad tackle, could have no complaints.

Derry poured forward in search of a winner, and they came so close when Duffy cut inside and curled the ball past Sheppard from 20 yards, but the ball bounced just wide of the post.

Teams

DUNDALK: Sheppard, Davies, Williams, Leahy, Muller, McCourt (Hoban 51’); Sloggett (Yii-Kokko 38’), Benson, Ward (O’Kane 85’), Malley (Lewis 85’); Martin (Tulloch 51’).

DERRY CITY: Maher, Boyce, McEleney, McJannet, Coll (Duffy 74’); Diallo, O'Reilly, McEneff; Graydon (O’Neill 74’), McGonigle (C Kavanagh 53’), Doherty.

REFEREE: Rob Hennessy (Dublin).