Derry City 3 - 1 Shelbourne

Derry City kept their European hopes alive with a comprehensive victory over relegation threatened Shelbourne at the Brandywell on Friday evening.

Two goals from the excellent Michael Rafter and an early Rory Patterson penalty were enough to secure victory despite an excellent Dean Kelly strike for the visitors.

Derry came out of the traps very quickly, obviously keen to put their poor form behind them and in the first minute, full back Dean Jarvis struck a 25 yd shot which Lee Murphy tipped over. The resulting corner saw McNamee swing the ball in and Rory Patterson was tripped as he turned.

Referee Tomas Connolly immediately pointed to the spot. Patterson dusted himself off and dispatched the penalty to give the home side the lead.

A Robert Bayly cross for Sean Brennan almost produced the equaliser in the 10th minute but Doherty saved well. Derry doubled their advantage in the 13th minute when Paul Andrews failed to deal with a Patrick McEleney flick on allowing Michael Rafter to latch on to it and fire coolly past Murphy.

Sean Brennan had an effort turned round the post in the 23rd minute as Shelbourne tried to drag themselves back into the game. Brian Gannon was first into the book as he turned the ball into the net with a diving handball, a decision he was to later regret.

Shelbourne gave themselves hope of a comeback in the 35th minute when a goal kick found Dean Kelly on the right and he darted down the wing and spotted Doherty off his line and lobbed him beautifully to reduce the deficit to one goal.

That hope was cruelly snuffed out however just a minute later when substitute Michael Duff swung a cross to the unmarked Barry McNamee at the back post and he headed back across the goal to find Michael Rafter who glanced a header just inside the post to restore the home sides two goal cushion.

The game was very open at this point with Derry playing with a confidence that had been lacking for the second half of the campaign.

The second period began once again with Derry on top and a Rory Patterson effort in the 52nd minute stinging Lee Murphys palms. The game was becoming scrappy at this point but in the 74th minute the previously cautioned Brian Gannon was adjudged to have dived in the area and was booked and sent off for his second offence.

Two minutes later the fourth official brought the referee to the side to report something that was said on the Shelbourne bench, and Robert Bayly who had been substituted was sent off, with the Shelbourne staff having to physically drag him away. The situation meant it was almost impossible for the visitors to get something out of the game and the game petered out with Derry very comfortable.

Johnny McDonnell will have to rally his troops for the relegation fight ahead but Declan Devine will undoubtedly be relieved as his side not only won, but played well which hadn't been the case in recent weeks.

Derry City: Gerard Doherty; Simon Madden, Shane McEleney (Michael Duffy 34), Ryan McBride, Dean Jarvis; Patrick McEleney, Barry Molloy, Ruaidhri Higgins, Barry McNamee; Rory Patterson (David McDaid 71), Michael Rafter (Ryan Curran 85).
Subs not used: Eugene Ferry, Raymond Foy, Mark Griffin.

Booked: Jarvis (60), Doherty (90+5).

Shelbourne: Lee Murphy (Niall Burdon 62); Rob Cornwall, Paul Andrews, Pat Flynn, Adam O'Connor; Brian Gannon, Robert Bayly (Lee Murtagh 71), Stephen Hurley, Sean Brennan (Dylan Connolly 54), Adam Hanlon; Dean Kelly.
Subs not used: Darren Tinnelly, Stephen Sheerin, Ian Ryan, Graham Gartland.

Booked: S Brennan (2), Andrews (13), Gannon (28).
Sent Off: Brian Gannon (74), Robert Bayly (76).

Referee: Tomas Connolly.

Attendance: 800 (estimate).

ExtraTime.ie Man of the Match: Michael Rafter (Derry City).