- Andrew Dempsey
- Fri, Mar 03 2023
Andrew Dempsey reports from Tallaght Stadium
Derry City moved to the top of the Premier Division table with a statement win away to Shamrock Rovers.
Jamie McGonigle’s goal was the difference between the sides after Johnny Kenny levelled for the Hoops in the 27th minute.
Derry City initially took the lead through Ben Doherty who scored on a devastating counter attack.
But Rovers loss means their proud unbeaten league record at Tallaght Stadium has come to an end. Their last defeat came against Sligo Rovers in May 2021 and they went on to win the league title this year.
However, this win felt different for Derry City as they shrugged off away woes in Tallaght – and they moved top.
It was also their first win against the Hoops in Dublin 24 since August 2017.
Coming into the game with Sean Gannon, Gary O’Neill and Sean Kavanagh in their makeshift back three, Rovers started the game well.
Dylan Watts had their first shot in anger of the game – although he could not fire home as his effort went wide without troubling Maher.
Former UCD winger Neil Farrugia then thought he was set to give Rovers the lead, but he was denied by a last-ditch block from Patrick McEleney just as he was set to pull the trigger on goal.
But Rovers inability to score early cost them in the 18th minute when Derry City took the lead.
From a Jack Byrne corner, Ollie O’Neill rose highest to clear and found Will Patching free.
And the former Manchester City youth pierced through a delicious ball into the path of Doherty.
The former Larne star raced past Trevor Clarke and Farrugia before scoring to put the Candystripes ahead.
But that lead only lasted nine minutes when Kenny levelled for the hosts.
The Celtic youngster was found by a beautifully threaded ball by Markus Poom and he did the rest to blast home past Maher.
Rovers then went close to going ahead at the break, but a combination of Graham Burke and Trevor Clarke were denied by some luck and Maher’s feet.
But Derry City held on to keep the game level at the half-time break as the biting cold descended on Tallaght Stadium.
And that was key as the Candystripes held out for a big win in Dublin 24.
Yet just seconds into the second half, they almost fell behind through Kenny. ‘
The former Sligo Rovers striker charged down a Maher clearance – but the ball squirmed loose and went out of play before he could get his foot on the ball.
The Hoops were then sucker punched minutes later as McGonigle found the back of the net from a Ryan Graydon pull back to the penalty spot.
It was a goal that came against the run of play, but Rovers can have few complaints with their spate of missed chances in the first-half.
Patrick McEleney then went close but he was denied by the strong palm of Mannus as he batted away the piledriver from deep in midfield.
But despite finding chances hard to come by, Rovers went close twice late on through Poom.
The Estonian first saw his shot blocked by Shane McEleney in the 79th minute after some good play down the wing by Simon Power.
And he then saw his tame, yet goal-bound header blocked moments later as Derry briefly saw themselves in a spot of bother.
But that was the height of Rovers pressure as Derry held on for a huge win to go top of the Premier Division.
Shamrock Rovers: Alan Mannus; Sean Gannon, Sean Kavanagh (Sean Hoare 81), Gary O'Neill; Graham Burke (Simon Power 74), Jack Byrne, Trevor Clarke, Neil Farrugia, Markus Poom, Dylan Watts (Liam Burt 81); Johnny Kenny (Rory Gaffney 74).
Subs not used: Leon Pohls, Kieran Cruise, Richie Towell, Darragh Nugent, Aaron Greene.
Booked: Graham Burke (35), Markus Poom (38), Neil Farrugia (52), Jack Byrne (69), Rory Gaffney (82).
Derry City: Brian Maher; Ciaran Coll, Mark Connolly, Ben Doherty, Shane McEleney; Sadou Diallo (Jordan McEneff 76), Ryan Graydon (Cian Kavanagh 86), Patrick McEleney, Oliver O'Neill (Brandon Kavanagh 81), Will Patching; Jamie McGonigle (Ronan Boyce 81).
Subs not used: Tadhg Ryan, Evan McLaughlin, Tiernan McGinty, Liam Mullan, Matthew Ward.
Booked: Patrick McEleney (21), Sadou Diallo (57), Mark Connolly (68).
Referee: Neil Doyle.
Attendance: 7,626.
extratime.com Player of the Match: Ryan Graydon (Derry City).
