League Report: Derry City 0 - 1 Shelbourne
Shelbourne celebrate after scoring the goal that clinched the Premier Division title at the Ryan McBride Brandywell. Credit: John-Paul McGinley (ETPhotos)
The glory days are back in Tolka Park as Damien Duff’s Shelbourne claimed a dramatic 1-0 victory against Derry City to secure the Drumcondra outfit’s 14th League of Ireland title.
Substitute Harry Wood secured Shelbourne's first league title since 2006, netting the decisive goal in Derry with just six minutes left as Shamrock Rovers seemed ready to spoil the party, having defeated Waterford 2-1 in Tallaght.
Wood, who initially joined Shelbourne on loan and signed permanently in July, netted his first goal by reacting to Seán Boyd’s free-kick, which Brian Maher couldn’t hold.
With Rovers keeping up the pressure by defeating Waterford, Shels needed a win, and like every test they faced this season, Duff's squad came through. This marked the 11th time Shels scored in the final 10 minutes this season, underscoring their resilience in securing their first title in 18 years.
Meanwhile, Derry City manager Ruaidhrí Higgins, aware that their guaranteed path to European competition hinged on winning the upcoming FAI Cup final against Drogheda United, made his priorities clear through his selection choices.
Top scorer Pat Hoban, nursing ongoing hamstring issues, was left out, along with experienced playmaker Patrick McEleney, to preserve him for the Cup Final.
With recent home results proving elusive and the league campaign faltering in its final stretch, a sense of pride became Derry’s main motivation. This night was dubbed a title-defining showdown with Shelbourne in a winner-takes-all match, but their recurring habit of missed opportunities had taken its toll on the Foylesiders with their title charge running out of steam.
Shels faced similar scrutiny as pressure mounted with games running out, but back-to-back wins in must-win home matches against Waterford and Drogheda United kept the title within their reach.
The Dubliners started with intensity, with Liam Burt’s shot going narrowly wide in the fourth minute. Despite a few squandered opportunities, Burt looked poised to score in the seventeenth minute after receiving a flick from Seán Boyd. He made the right move to cut past ex-Liverpool defender Andrew Wisdom, but his shot narrowly missed the far post.
At the other end, Michael Duffy came close twice midway through the half. First, his low shot slipped through Mark Coyle’s legs but was saved by Conor Kearns; then, his curling effort drifted wide.
Derry finished the half strong, with Paul McMullan threading a pass to Colm Whelan, whose shot was blocked by Kearns with Danny Mullen unable to convert the rebound from close range.
The tight contest continued after the break. Mullen’s header off a Ronan Boyce cross hit the crossbar. Meanwhile, Shels kept up the pressure with Burt and Ray Tulloch stretching Derry’s defence. Boyd broke free from Duncan Idehen on a long clearance but was denied by Maher’s quick reaction.
Ali Coote’s entry added a fresh spark to Shels’ attack, and there were penalty calls when he was brought down by Mark Connolly. Moments later, Sean Gannon, eyeing an 11th league medal, had a chance but he shot directly at Maher.
Eventually, Shels’ patience paid off. When referee Paul McLaughlin awarded a free kick on the edge of the box, Boyd’s deflected strike forced Maher into a low save, which spilled, allowing Wood to pounce and slot in the decisive goal.
Seven minutes of added time tested Shels' nerves, with Wood even missing an open chance on the break, but they held on to secure the win.
Derry City: Brian Maher; Ronan Boyce, Mark Connolly, Duncan Idehen (Shane McEleney 74), Andre Wisdom; Sadou Diallo (Jacob Davenport 74), Michael Duffy, Paul McMullan (Sean Robertson 74), Adam O'Reilly, Colm Whelan (William Patching 65); Daniel Mullen.
Subs not used: Tadhg Ryan, Conor Barr, Aaron Heaney, Callum Doherty, Glenn McCourt.
Booked: Jacob Davenport (78).
Shelbourne: Conor Kearns; Patrick Barrett, Sean Gannon, Kameron Ledwidge, Tyreke Wilson; Liam Burt (Alistair Coote 60), MarkCoyle (Evan Caffrey 60), Jonathan Lunney, John Martin (Shane Griffin 89), Rayhaan Tulloch (Harry Wood 74); Sean Boyd.
Subs not used: Lorcan Healy, John O'Sullivan, Aiden O'Brien, Matthew Smith, Dean Williams.
Booked: Harry Wood (86), Conor Kearns (87).
Referee: Paul McLaughlin.
Attendance: 3,135
