Derry let lucky Hoops off the hook
Shamrock Rovers 2
Derry City 1
THE title challenge is on for Shamrock Rovers, but there was plenty of evidence here to demonstrate that Michael O'Neill's side have considerable room for improvement.
They have closed the gap between themselves and Bohemians to three points but Derry had every reason to feel hard done-by after dominating for long periods at the Tallaght Stadium.
However, for all their neat build-up play, the Candystripes were sloppy in the final third and now trail eight points behind Rovers and 11 off the pace. In truth, they are much better than that.
Energy
Anyone who didn't see this encounter will assume that Derry were suffering from the effects of their Europa League adventures in Bulgaria during the week, but their energy levels remained impressive until the death.
The problem was that they were left with a mountain to climb at half-time, trailing by two goals and struggling to convert decent passages of play into anything tangible.
Instead, they were given a lesson in clinical finishing by the hosts, who had a lead to protect from as early as the seventh minute, when Sean O'Connor provided the first goal-of-the-month contender of the night with a superb individual strike. The Hoops winger collected an Ollie Cahill throw and was allowed rove in-field before launching an unstoppable right foot exocet into the top corner.
With new signing Pat Sullivan installed at right-full, O'Neill's first XI is taking shape, although Paddy Kavanagh -- captured from Bray -- missed out through injury.
Shorn of the suspended Peter Hutton and Eddie McCallion, Stephen Kenny fielded a makeshift back four with Barry Molloy at centre-half -- but most of the action would be centred around the opposite end of the pitch after their early setback.
Winger Gareth McGlynn had a fair shout for a penalty after Cahill upended him, and also forced a smart stop from Barry Murphy in a frantic spell where the Rovers 'keeper also denied Kevin Deery.
Alas, Derry would be made pay for that profligacy in the 25th minute, when Dessie Baker brilliantly left Stephen Gray in a spin before crossing for Tadhg Purcell who ghosted between Molloy and Clive Delaney to bullet a header beyond Gerard Doherty.
Frustration for Derry then, but they burst out after the interval with purpose and reduced the deficit within 30 seconds with another goal for the end-of-season highlights package. Scottish front man Tam McManus produced the goods, capitalising on a slip-up from O'Connor to chest the ball down 25 yards out before unleashing a fine volley which Murphy was never going to get near.
Game on, although it could have been game over a minute later when the largely quiet Gary Twigg found precious space in the area but lacked the conviction to find a way past Doherty.
hope
The rare wastefulness from the Scot gave Derry renewed hope, and they continued to make life difficult for Rovers who lacked proficiency in the area of ball retention. Kenny's full-backs, Stephen Gray and Ger O'Brien, pushed forward with intent. They should have levelled in the 68th minute, but Thomas Stewart dithered and Shane Robinson bravely got his body in the way.
O'Neill was forced to take action, and he replaced Twigg with Barry Johnston -- brought in on loan from Cliftonville -- introduced as an extra midfielder.
Johnston made a difference but, ultimately, Derry were slicker and, as the game entered the final 10 minutes, Craig Sives had to be alert to block an O'Brien centre to safety. Gray should have restored parity from the subsequent corner but his weak header was a present for Murphy.
On the sideline, Kenny shook his head in frustration. They wouldn't have a better chance, as Rovers held out for a win which keeps their show firmly on the road.
Shamrock Rovers -- Murphy, Sullivan, Price, Sives, Cahill; Purcell, Robinson, Rice (Bradley 90), O'Connor; Twigg (Johnston 75), Baker (Purcell 83).
Derry City -- Doherty, O'Brien, Delaney, Molloy, Gray (Martyn 88); McGlynn, Deery, Higgins, Stewart (Scullion 75); Farren (Nash 81), McManus.
Ref -- D Hanney (Dublin).
- Daniel McDonnell
