Tullamore down Derry as Delaney grabs the winner

Tullamore Town 1 Derry City 0 History was made on Saturday last when for the first time Tullamore Town hosted Derry City in the first round of the League of Ireland A championship. Expectations were high amongst the sizeable home crowd on the back of some excellent pre-season results, under the guidance of manager Mark Dempsey. With the home pitch in superb condition and the weather all but perfect, the scene was set for an entertaining ninety minutes plus of football. Right from the kick off the home side were into their stride, with Simon Keegan on the left flank causing all sorts of problems for Derry. Four minutes in and to the delight of the home supporters, Tullamore were ahead after a well struck corner by Trevor Moylan found the head of Scott Delaney, who rose highest to power home from six yards. The midfield partnership of Brian Francis and Kevin Duffy dominated and, with Fergal Gorman and Keegan raiding on the flanks, the home side were growing in confidence. On 12 minutes, Kevin Duffy came close with a long range effort when he won the ball in the middle and spotted Martin Gallagher off his line and, soon afterwards, a great through ball by Brian Francis found Mark Goodings, who fired a cracking effort inches wide. On 15 minutes, a rare breach of the Tullamore defence saw Derry awarded a free outside the area on the right and from a neat set piece Darren McCauley came close with his effort going just over. Derry were now beginning to find their shape ,but Kevin Duffy and Eoghan O"Shea combined well to clear their lines and foil a potentially dangerous attack. Midway through the first half, Tullamore were again on the offensive when indecision in the visitors" defence saw a low shot from outside the area by Fergal Gorman fly inches wide. Derry responded immediately but great work by Scott Delaney, who was having a great game at the heart of the Tullamore defence, put paid to any threat. With half an hour gone Michael Hoey was very unlucky not to have registered a second for Town, with his effort skinning the post. Eoghan O"Shea then had to be at his best in the home defence when great work by Mark Nicell found Gerard McClintock with a through ball. As the half drew to a close Derry went in search of an equaliser with Darren McCauley going close from distance and Joe Mooney saving brilliantly from Mark Nicell. Tullamore replied with a great chipped effort from Michael Hoey who beat the advancing keeper only for the centre half to clear off his line. Hoey again was on hand in the closing minute of the half to clear off his own line from a free kick wide on the right which almost caught the home defence napping. In the fourth minute of the second half, the Town had another great chance when Trevor Moylan swung in a perfect cross for Mark Goodings, whose neat flick went just wide. A Tullamore substitution was then made with Stephen Francis coming in for Mark Goodings, who had a great game despite returning from injury. This change allowed Simon Keegan to partner Michael Hoey up front and almost immediately it paid dividends when Keegan was put through on goal by Hoey and only a last ditch tackle by Mark Nicell saved the visitors. On 30 minutes, an injury to Willie Duffy, who was having a solid game at the back, forced a second substitution for the home side with Michael Kenaney being introduced. Less than five minutes later another substitution had to be made when Simon Keegan, who had been taunting the visitors defence with his turn of pace, came out the wrong side of a heavy tackle. Dean Goode was introduced for Keegan and he was immediately in the thick of the action as he threaded a great ball through for Fergal Gorman, who was taken down outside the area and Trevor Moylan stepped up to take the free kick and his great effort went narrowly wide. With time ebbing away the visitors worked hard to restore parity but the Tullamore rearguard was in no mood to compromise and were bolstered by great tackling in the middle of the field by Kevin Duffy and Brian Francis, whose work-rate all day had been phenomenal. Tullamore stood firm to eventually emerge deserved winners in what was a memorable victory in what promises to be a fascinating season. In what was a great week for Tullamore Town FC, they were presented with a cheque for €1,600 by FAI President David Blood in the City West Hotel, Dublin, for winning the Club of the Month award for December. This qualifies the club for the prestigious Club of the Year award which will be announced next July in Monaghan.