Walter Figueira on target as Derry City hold Dundalk in behind closed doors friendly at Oriel Park

WALTER FIGUEIRA was on target as Derry City held champions, Dundalk to a draw at Oriel Park in the club's first friendly match before the resumption of the League of Ireland at the end of the month.

Figueira finished clinically past Gary Rogers at the near post on nine minutes after a neat move on the right side as Derry got off to an impressive start.

Peter Cherrie produced a string of superb saves to deny Pat Hoban, Will Patching and Jordan Flores before the break as City went into the interval with a slender advantage.

However, just 10 minutes after the restart, Flores found the equaliser with a stunning 30 yards strike which sailed past Cherrie's outstretched hand.

Despite Dundalk's dominance Derry held out for the draw and given it was both club's first match since early March when the coronavirus crisis shutdown the league, both managers will no doubt be pleased with the performance as they warm up for the league restart.

City boss, Declan Devine's side had a familiar look about it but he handed a start to new signing, former Celtic and Dunfermline midfielder, Joe Thomson.

Skipper, Conor McCormack began at right back in the absence of Darren Cole and Jamie McDonagh with five across the City midfield and trialist, ex-Leicester City striker, Josef Keaveney leading the attack.

Former Shrewsbury Town forward, Lifumpa Mwande, also on trial with City, began on the bench.

It was an encouraging start by the Candy Stripes and they stunned Dundalk when taking the lead after a neat move on nine minutes involving ex-Ireland U17 international, Keaveny.

A throw-in from Ciaran Coll found Figuiera and he played a one-two with Keaveny, who back-heeled a return pass and the former Waterford attacker finished brilliantly past Gary Rogers at the near post.

Dundalk responded well to that setback and dominated the ball and Derry needed Peter Cherrie to be alert and the ex-Lilywhites stopper didn't disappoint, producing several excellent saves.

Firstly Michael Duffy dangerously drifted across the Derry defence and pulled the ball back towards Pat Hoban in the six yard box but Cherrie denied the striker on 13 minutes from close range.

On the half hour mark the lively Patching tried his luck with an excellent strike from 30 yards but Cherrie did superbly to parry it behind the post for a corner.

Stefan Colovic sent an inswinging free-kick into the area from the right flank and McCormack did well to get in front of his man and he sent his headed clearance behind for another corner kick.

It was sustained pressure from the home side and Daniel Leahy really should've done better when he found himself free at the back post but he mis-controlled the ball and the chance was lost.

On 34 minutes Flores latched onto the ball 12 yards from the Derry goal and his low, left-footed strike was saved by the outstretched leg of Cherrie.

Moments later Hoban sent a downward header harmlessly past the post but Derry were struggling to create anything of note since taking the lead.

McCormack, however, did well to find Keaveny inside the Dundalk box with a pass from the right and when the trialist laid it back to Ciaron Harkin on the edge of the box, the midfielder's strike was saved comfortably by Rogers.

Despite Dundalk's dominance, it was an encouraging showing by the Candy Stripes who went in at the break with a one goal advantage.

Devine made a double substitution after the interval with Ciaran Coll and Keaveny making way for Patrick Ferry and Colm Horgan.

Dundalk were back on level terms in spectacular fashion as Flores' powerful strike sailed past Cherrie and into the net from distance.

Both managers began to ring the changes which predictably disrupted the flow of the game. Dundalk were still in control and Cherrie again came to his side's rescue when he tipped Darragh Leahy's shot from the edge of the box over the crossbar.

The game petered out but Dundalk could've won it in the end when substitute Josh Gatt crossed from the left and when Georgie Kelly's flicked it on at the near post, Daniel Kelly blasted wide.

Devine will have been pleased with his side's performance after such a long lay off and against top opposition.

Dundalk: Gary Rogers: Sean Gannon (Josh Gatt 75), Daniel Cleary, Andy Boyle, Darragh Leahy (Dane Massey 62); Chris Shields (Greg Sloggett 62), Jordan Flores (Cameron Dummigan 75), , Stefan Colovic, (Daniel Kelly 62) WIll Patching (John Mountney 66), Michael Duffy (Nathan Oduwa 62; Pat Hoban (Georgie Kelly 66):

Derry City: Peter Cherrie; Conor McCormack, Eoin Toal, Ally Gilchrist, Ciaran Coll (Colm Horgan h-t); Ciaron Harkin (Ronan Boyce 81), Conor Clifford (trialist 72), Jack Malone (Mark McChrystal 72), Joe Thomson (Gerardo Bruna 65), Walter Figueira (Michael Harris 81) Joe Keaveney (Patrick Ferry h-t).