Sligo Rovers 1 Derry City 0: FURIOUS DERRY City supporters vented their anger at Cork referee Anthony Buttimer after Sligo Rovers shocked the hotly fancied Candystripes in this Ford FAI Cup fourth-round game at the Showgrounds on Saturday night.
Raffaele Cretaro’s quickly taken free-kick four minutes from time caught goalkeeper Gerard Doherty and the Derry defence off-guard to send the home supporters in the 2,000 strong crowd home in jubilant mood. Stewards and security personnel had to shield the referee after the final whistle as a number of angry Derry City fans ran onto the pitch.
When the sides last met in the FAI Cup in 2006 Derry came out on top by 5-0 in the semi-final replay at the Brandywell after a scoreless draw at the Showgrounds.
Bitterly disappointed Derry boss Stephen Kenny said the goal “should have been disallowed”. The referee “gestured with the whistle but he didn’t blow for the kick to be taken” said Kenny.
“If the referee gestures with the whistle he has to blow it, it was a conflict of decision. I cannot blame Cretaro. He was an opportunist but it was a killer blow with only a few minutes to go,” added Kenny.
Cretaro said he asked the referee if he could take a quick free kick and the referee allowed it.
SLIGO ROVERS: Brush, Boco, Kendrick, Keane, Camano (Ryan 60 mins), Ventre, Doyle, O'Grady, Blinkhorn (Turner 85), Cretaro, Morrison (Cash 75).
DERRY CITY: Doherty, Delaney, Hutton, Gray, Higgins, Stewart, O'Brien, McGlynn, Molloy (Martyn ht), Scullion (McClean 77), McManus (Farren 60).
Referee: A Buttimer(Cork).
