League of Ireland: Cork City 0-0 Derry City

Cork striker Karl Sheppard and Candystripes defender Eoin Toal in a race for the ball
Cork striker Karl Sheppard and Candystripes defender Eoin Toal in a race for the ball

A fine defensive display from Derry City earned the visitors a point in the Premier Division encounter against Cork City at Turners Cross.

Shane Griffin hit the Derry woodwork in a poor first half with the game coming to life after the break.

Cork keeper Mark McNulty tipped over a dipping shot from Ally Gilchrist before the hosts seized control.

Garry Buckley twice went close for Cork and Conor McCarthy stabbed wide as Derry held firm for the draw.

Derry started the campaign with two wins from their opening three games and they were aiming for just a second victory at Turners Cross in 28 visits.

The first half will not live long in the memory of the 2,847 spectators with precious little in the way of goalmouth action.

Cork keeper Mark McNulty attempts to punch clear from a Derry corner in Friday night's game
Cork keeper Mark McNulty attempts to punch clear from a Derry corner in Friday night's game

Griffin's strike, which clipped the outside of a post, was a rare highlight and thankfully the game improved after the interval.

Derry came out strong on the restart and McNulty nedded to be alert to keep out a powerful 30-yard effort from Gilchrist.

Greg Sloggett got a header in from the resulting corner and Cork managed to clear from a goalmouth scramble.

Cork were soon camped in Derry's half and there was little respite for the Candstripes in the final half hour.

Derry keeper Peter Cherrie denied Buckley, who then headed wide at the back-post from a Gearoid Morrisey cross.

McCarthy wasted another Cork chance by firing wide from eight yards in the dying minutes as the Leesiders failed to break Derry's resistance.

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