Derry City 2 - 1 Shamrock Rovers

Derry City gained ground on Sligo Rovers with a deserved 2-1 victory over Shamrock Rovers at the Brandywell on Friday evening. It was the old cliche of a game of two halves as the first period was a fairly lacklustre affair before the second half burst into life.

Derry City were dealt a blow as early as the 8th minute when Paddy Kavanagh limped out of the game after an innocuous challenge with what looked like a serious knee problem. The game itself was mainly bogged down in midfield with neither side able to put a real stamp on proceedings. In fact neither goalkeeper was required to make a save throughout the whole of the opening period. The only real action of note saw Rory Patterson bear down on goal before being superbly tackled from behind by David Elebert

As quiet as the first half was, the second half was thrill a minute stuff. In the 49th minute Simon Madden was hauled down by Conor Powell and was swiftly booked for his trouble. The game finally got the goal it needed in the 51st minute. The ball was fed out to the lively Patrick McEleney on the right and his deep cross found an unmarked Barry McNamee at the back post, and he looped a header past a helpless Barry Murphy in the Shamrock Rovers goal. The Hoops were getting frustrated and both David Elebert and Karl Sheppard were booked for robust challenges.

Trevor Crolly introduced Gary McCabe at this point and Rovers started to dominate possession, but they couldn't find any end product with Ryan McBride in particular putting in an immense shift at centre half for the home side. In the 77th minute a long clearance from McBride put Rory Patterson through on goal but he dragged his shot inches wide with the goal at his mercy. Patterson then won a free kick near the corner flag in the 80th minute. Barry McNamee sent in a floated delivery which Ryan McBride headed powerfully past Murphy to double the home sides advantage.

Shamrock Rovers were trying desperately to get back into the game and a James Chambers shot crept wide in the 84th minute. In the 86th minute Chambers launched a long ball to McCabe who crossed in to Karl Sheppard but his shot was magnificently stopped by Doherty before McCaffrey cleared. Rovers were throwing the kitchen sink at Derry now and pulled one back in the 90th minute. Gary McCabes corner was cleared as far as Stephen Rice and he rifled an unstoppable 25yd drive past a flailing Doherty.

Another corner saw a goalmouth scramble which almost produced an unlikely equaliser but Derry managed to hold out to go to within two points of the top of the table after Sligo's defeat at St Pats. Declan Devine will be delighted with his teams current run but Trevor Crolly will be searching for answers as to why his side have started the season so slowly.

Derry City: Gerard Doherty; Simon Madden, Ryan McBride, Dermot McCaffrey, Thomas Crawley (Ryan Curran 84); Ruadhri Higgins, Barry Molloy (c), Barry McNamee; Michael Rafter (Michael Duffy 74); Patrick Kavanagh (Patrick McEleney 8), Rory Patterson.
Subs not used: James Gallagher, Mark Griffin, Conal Kelly, Tony McNamee.