DEANO Larkin’s 12th minute goal gave Bonagee United victory over Derry City Reserves in Tuesday evening’s bmcsports.ie Ulster Senior League opener at Dry Arch Park.
Bonagee United 1 Derry City Reserves 0
Larkin’s early goal proved the decisive strike in a game of inches.
Bonagee had several chances to put the game beyond Derry’s reach, but the young Candystripes were within touching distance of an equaliser in the closing stages.
Jason Gibson’s hosts, though, hung onto their advantage.
With Oisin Cannon unavailable to due college commitments in Dublin, Bonagee were able to call on Shaun Patton to wear the number 1 shirt.
And Patton was key in those late moments when Derry threatened.
Patton got his fingertips to a tidy Liam Mullan’s effort in the 94th minute, enough to touch it onto the post.
Also in a nervy conclusion, Patton saved a drive from Mullan and Bonagee managed to keep put the follow-up.
Both sides had encouraging League Cup campaigns, booking their respective slots in the semi-finals of the competition – games that will be played later in the season.
The Dry Arch men hit the front in the 12th minute, Larkin finishing from Tony McNamee’s corner kick.
Chris Dillon and Larkin had attempts to double the lead before Patton was called into action by Caolan McLaughlin at the other end.
Derry included Gerard Storey, who appeared as a late substitute in Monday’s League of Ireland Premier Division 3-3 cracker at Dalymount Park.
The likes of Jack Lemoignan, Michael Harris, Patrick Ferry, Orrin McLaughlin and Caoimhin Porter were unused subs and included in the Candystripes’ squad for their opening USL mission of the season.
Dillon arched a first-time attempt wide when connecting with a Michael Funston cross late in the first half.
McNamee was into the palms of Lemoignan when the former Candystripe was presented with a good opening before Dan O’Donnell riffled over the top as Bonagee began to push for a second,
Sub Aidan McLaughlin might have copper-fastened the win, but he headed wide from Jamie Lynagh’s cross before Funston riffled off the outside of the post.
Bonagee United: Shaun Patton, Jamie Lynagh, Mark Harkin, Gareth Breslin, Micheál Doherty, Gareth Harkin (Jack Parke 50), Dan O’Donnell, Michael Funston, Deano Larkin (Aidan McLaughlin 72), Chris Dillon (Garbhan Grant 72), Tony McNamee.
Derry City Reserves: Jack Lemoignan, Caoimhin Porter, Darragh Kelly, Zach McFadden, Shaun McDermott, Orrin McLaughlin, Gerard Storey, Corey McLaughlin (Liam Mullan 42), Tiernan McKinney (Adam Duffy 77), Caolan McLaughlin (Michael Harris 50), Patrick Ferry (Mark Mbuli 78).
Referee: Michael Connolloy.
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