Derry City and Shelbourne Battle to 1-1 Draw at Brandywell

Derry City and Shelbourne faced off in a closely contested match that ended in a 1-1 draw at the Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium on September 19, 2025. The home team took the lead just before halftime, with Adam O’Reilly scoring a well-placed shot that put Derry ahead 1-0. However, the visitors quickly responded in the second half, with Ademipo Odubeko equalizing to secure a share of the points.

Both teams showed determination throughout the match, with Derry City controlling much of the first half. O’Reilly’s goal came in the 43rd minute, when he capitalized on a defensive error by Shelbourne, firing the ball into the bottom corner of the net. This moment was a highlight for Derry, who aimed to build momentum in their season.

The second half saw Shelbourne step up their game. Odubeko’s equalizer in the 58th minute revitalized the visitors, as he found space in the box and finished decisively. This goal shifted the match’s dynamics, and both teams pressed for a winner, but neither could find the net again.

In a post-match interview, O’Reilly expressed disappointment at not being able to secure all three points. He stated, “We fought hard, but we need to be more clinical in front of goal.” His sentiments were echoed by teammate Brandon Fleming, who acknowledged the importance of taking lessons from this match as they look forward to upcoming fixtures.

The draw leaves Derry City with a mixed bag of results in their current season. While the team has shown flashes of brilliance, consistency remains a challenge. As they continue to develop their strategy, this match against Shelbourne serves as an important benchmark for growth.

Fans at the Brandywell were treated to an engaging encounter, with both sides demonstrating skill and resilience. As the season progresses, Derry City will aim to build on this performance, focusing on converting opportunities into goals. Meanwhile, Shelbourne celebrate their hard-earned point as they navigate their own challenges in the league.

As the teams move forward, they will be looking ahead to their next matches, eager to improve their standings and secure valuable points in the league.