Galway United and Derry City played out a goalless draw at Eamonn Deacy Park in the SSE Airtricity Men's Premier Division on Friday night.
On a much improved Terryland surface on a mild evening in the west, Galway United starved Derry City of many clear-cut chances to grind out a point on Corribside.
From the get-go, Galway United set up in their usual organised system, letting the Candystripes gather possession, while the home side waited for their chance to pounce.
The Tribesmen's low block and direct style of play was effective at the start which nearly saw them take the lead in the 12th minute.
Following a half chance for the visitors at the other end of the pitch through Paul McMullan, United midfielder Vincent Borden latched onto a breaking ball in the box and was stunned to see his rasping shot saved by Brian Maher. The former Ireland under-21 shot-stopper stretched to get a sensational hand on the goalbound effort to keep his clean sheet intact.
It was a familiar feel to the past encounters in Eamonn Deacy Park this season as John Caulfield’s team worked tirelessly while the opposition found it difficult to break down a stubborn United defence.
Caulfield, who is serving an additional three-game touchline ban, would have been relieved to see Danny Mullen’s tame volley land into the arms of Brendan Clarke with the attacker unable to manufacture a clean connection on the ball.
The second half continued in the same vein as Ruaidhrí Higgins’ outfit dominated possession but were unable to get a proper strike off to test Brendan Clarke in the Galway goal.
Opportunities were few and far between with neither side showing enough quality in the attacking third likely to break the deadlock as the clock clicked by.
Derry substitute Sean Patton pulled an effort just wide of the post before Will Patching struck the crossbar with a superb strike before the death but both nets would remain unharmed when the final whistle went.
Up next for Derry City is a home contest against Shelbourne while Galway United travel to Bohemians on the same day.
Galway United: Clarke; Donelon (O’Keeffe 27), Brouder, Nugent, Walsh; Hurley (Aouachria 68), O’Sullivan (Lomboto 80), Borden, McCormack, McCarthy; Esua.
Derry City: Maher; Boyce, Coll, Connolly, Patching; Hoban, McMullan (Doherty 77), McJannet, Mullen (Patton 85), Kelly; O’Reilly.
Referee: Rob Hennessy.
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