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Derry hold on to beat Shamrock Rovers

Monday 14th May 2007, 10:17 pm

Pat McCourt hit the only goal of the game in the first half.

Photo by Tom Carey.

Derry City secured a hard fought win over Shamrock Rovers in Monday night's eircom League Premier Division game at the Brandywell. A top quality goal from former Rovers player Pat McCourt proved decisive with the Candystripes beating the Hoops 1-0.

The win moves Derry up to sixth, trailing Shamrock Rovers by just goal difference now. However, Rovers will have been disappointed not to have at least picked up a point on their trip north having had decent spells of possession.

Derry were out of the blocks quickly and after Kevin McHugh won a corner kick inside the opening thirty seconds it looked as though Derry might finally find their best form. McCourt drilled a low shot just wide seconds later after chesting down Aidan Price's attempted clearance.

Price was almost caught out again before the tenth minute as McHugh chased back on a weak header back but goalkeeper Barry Murphy was quick off his line to clear.

Another McHugh burst forward prompted the only goal of the game on 13 minutes. The loose ball fell to McCourt who darted across the face of goal and then fired superbly back across Murphy from the edge of the box. The Rovers keeper had little chance against the superbly struck shot to the corner.

The lead might have lasted less than five minutes but Andy Myler badly missed the target after Jamie Duffy had broken well down the wing before squaring for the veteran striker.

Murphy did well in the Rovers goal to make a reaction grab to take the ball away as Gareth McGlynn got in on the end of McHugh's through ball. Myler and David Cassidy had shots blocked at the other end as Rovers controlled more and more possession.

Myler spun and volleyed narrowly wide from Duffy's knock down as half-time approached.

Pat Jennings had retained his place in goal for Derry and made a stunning tip over just after the break as Barry Ferguson headed at goal from Myler's ball across goal.

Greg O'Halloran was extremely fortunate not to see a red card on 52 minutes after he kicked at the grounded Ian Ryan. The Derry player had been lucky to escape a booking seconds earlier and his clash with Ryan could well have seen him sent off instead of just booked.

Derry had their best period of the second half around the tenth minute when Murphy tipped over from O'Halloran's driven shot. The talented keeper tipped over again from a Ken Oman header seconds later.

The keeper claimed a hat-trick of excellent saves when he pushed away McHugh's shot across goal on 55 minutes and saved fairly routinely from Peter Hynes' long range half volley.

Darren Kelly might have put the game beyond Rovers just after the hour but his header came back off the post as he got in on Ruaidhri Higgins' cross.

It was Derry's best period of the second half and probably the game as Rovers again rallied and should have levelled before the 70th minute. A quickly taken free kick sent Ger O'Brien away down the left but Duffy and Cassidy got in each other's way at the back post and with the goal gaping, the chance evaporated.

The miss seemed to dent Rovers' confidence and there were few more chances in the remaining twenty or so minutes. Jennings just about held on as a long Rovers throw threatened with Ger Rowe slicing a shot well off target at the back post.

Derry boss Pat Fenlon will be relieved to see his side nick a result but will know performances need to improve. Rovers boss Pat Scully won't be too down as his young side can feel a little aggrieved not to have claimed at least a point.

Derry City : Jennings, Rogers, Hargan, Oman, Kelly, O'Halloran, Higgins (McCafferty 85), McGlynn, McCourt (Brennan 81), Hynes (Farren 78), McHugh.
Shamrock Rovers : Murphy, Lawrence (Clarke 90 +1), G O'Brien, Price, Ferguson, Ryan, Duffy (Kilduff 75), Cassidy, Dave O'Connor (Rowe 56), Myler, Purcell.