After watching Shelbourne be crowned champions in the Brandywell last year, the hosts didn’t want to stagae another coronation party for Dublin guests. And they also had their own priorities to look after.
This victory for Tiernan Lynch’s side officially books a ticket to Europe next year, and – if they can seal second by defeating bottom side Cork City in Turner’s Cross next Friday – they’ll be rooting for Rovers in the FAI Cup final as a double for Bradley’s side would send the Candystripes into the Europa League which means extra cash and the safety net of a Conference League run as a Plan B.
To do so with a relatively depleted panel for the final stretch is a compliment to Lynch’s charges, although they were helped here by facing a Rovers side that has lost all momentum due to fixture congestion and the fact that they basically had the league in the bag by the end of September – their goal difference cushion has proved very important when it comes to the crunch.
Derry had a singular focus this week and it showed in how they were able to find another gear in the second half, just when it looked as though the Dublin visitors were beginning to get on top.
Shamrock Rovers manager Stephen Bradley arrives, via helicopter after running the Dublin Marathon today, at City of Derry Rugby Football Club before the game
They started this game without their manager, with Bradley’s helicopter trip after completing the Dublin Marathon in under four hours delayed by a bit of bad weather.
He didn’t miss a huge amount in the opening 10 minutes, and a stoppage just after his arrival allowed the home fans to reveal a banner outlining their dissatisfaction with the British justice system after the Soldier F trial verdict.
From that point onwards, the focus was very much on the football, even if the chance count was relatively low. Graham Burke was busy for Rovers, dropping into pockets in trademark style and he called Brian Maher into action with a left-footed volley.
Derry struggled to create a similar opportunity and they were always going to have to work for them given they are without a natural striker at the moment. Michael Duffy, a talismanic figure and player of the season contender, is now effectively leading the line with Gavin Whyte offering support – two players better known as wingers. They were never going to have joy lumping it long and needed to be creative with Lee Grace – who was selected on the right of the back three – trying to stick close to Duffy.
The breakthrough came from an unorthodox route, with a large dollop of fortune although Brandon Fleming may protest to the contrary. Fleming arrived mid-season with a decent CV, but it didn’t have a senior goal on it. That changed when what looked like an attempted cross sailed over Ed McGinty and into the net.
Shamrock Rovers players, from left, Aaron McEneff, Lee Grace and Dylan Watts show their frustration
For the fourth game in a row, Rovers had conceded first. They responded with purpose, and put together a few decent passages before the interval without necessarily testing Brian Maher. Burke was always dangerous, while Michael Noonan threatened to get in behind a couple of times with the loss of Mark Connolly leading to a Derry defensive reshuffle.
From the restart, Rovers were knocking on the door again with Josh Honohan denied from close range but Derry responded with a purposeful spell. The half-time introduction of Sadou Diallo added a bit of steel to the spine and he tested McGinty before Duffy did the same with a dangerous free. Grace, who has just returned from injury, was increasingly living on the edge and he received a second yellow for a foul on Fleming.
That gave Derry the confidence to go and finish it off and the relentless Duffy teed up Diallo for the insurance goal that prompted a fireworks show behind the goal that spilled over. Sub Rory Gaffney pulled one back in stoppage time, but the wait for official ratification will now be carried into Wednesday’s Tallaght game in hand with Galway United
Derry City: Maher, Dummigan, Connolly (Todd 29), Stott; Boyce, Winchester, O’Reilly, Fleming; Whyte (Frizzell 68), Benson (Diallo 45); Duffy
Shamrock Rovers: McGinty, Grace, Lopes, O’Sullivan; Nugent (McGovern 79), Healy, Watts (Malley 79), Honohan; McEneff (Cleary 66), Burke; Noonan (Gaffney 66)
