Derry hit back twice to share spoils with Dundalk

Derry City hit back twice to deny Stephen O'Donnell a winning start to his reign as Dundalk head coach at Oriel Park.

Goals from debutants Steven Bradley and Mark Connolly in either half had the Lilywhites dreaming of a winning start to the season but on each occasion Ruaidhrí Higgins men responded within minutes through Joe Thomson and Jamie McGonigle as the sides had to settle for a point apiece.

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In what was a fiery affair, both sides will feel they could have taken the three points with the hosts forcing several top saves from Brian Maher and McGonigle rattling the crossbar twice in quick succession at the end.

It will be the new look Dundalk who will be happier overall with their showing though.

O'Donnell handed debuts to eight players, not including the returning Robbie Benson, with Derry having as many ex-Lilywhites players from last season in their starting 11 as the hosts.

It was the home side who threatened first with a left foot drive from Sam Bone being spilled around the post by Maher. Benson’s follow-up corner then broke to Joe Adams but the Welsh U21 international could only scuff his effort into the grateful arms of the keeper.

Derry then went close themselves two minutes later when Brandon Kavanagh latched on to a McGonigle ball only to see his low drive turned around the post by Nathan Shepperd.

The Welsh keeper then had to be alert again on the quarter hour mark when he raced to the edge of his box to boot clear after McGonigle looked to have capitalised on a short header back by Connolly.

Bone then tested Maher again with another long drive that the Irish U21 international had to turn around the post on 22 minutes.

From the resultant corner a melee broke out after Bradley caught Ciaron Harkin