Sport

McCourt lifts Derry to fifth League of Ireland

Premier Division/Derry City 1 Shamrock Rovers 0: Derry City moved up to joint fifth place in the Premier Division table following…

Tue May 15 2007 - 01:00

Premier Division/Derry City 1 Shamrock Rovers 0:Derry City moved up to joint fifth place in the Premier Division table following this victory over Shamrock Rovers at a lively Brandywell last night. The win will bring relief to manager Pat Fenlon, who deployed Peter Hynes in the front line to contend with the physical presence of Rovers centre-halves Barry Ferguson and Aidan Price.

With Greg O'Halloran, in for the absent Barry Molloy, playing an integral role in the centre of the park, it was the lively Paddy McCourt who netted the game's only goal in the 13th minute against his former side.

Having wreaked havoc on the left flank, McCourt was set up by Kevin McHugh and as the winger waltzed his way across the 18 yards line, he finished with aplomb, his right-foot shot screaming into the net.

That goal gave Derry confidence but Rovers were always dangerous and three minutes after the goal, the Dubliners were presented with a superb chance. A cross from the left found Andy Myler in space but the striker failed to hit the target. And a cross from full-back Dean Lawrence was met by the head of Tadgh Purcell in the 31st minute but goalkeeper Pat Jennings produced an excellent save.

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Following the change of ends, Jennings had to touch a Barry Ferguson header over his crossbar. But Derry's response was immediate. O'Halloran forced Murphy to divert the ball over his crossbar following a long-range effort. From the corner Ken Oman had a header also pushed over the bar by the goalkeeper.

Hynes forced Murphy into an important save in the 58th minute as a determined Derry continued in search of what could prove a killer second goal.

They struck the woodwork again on the hour when a Ruaidhri Higgins cross, following a short corner was again met by Oman. The visitors almost caught Derry by surprise in the 69th minute when substitute Ger Rowe's low cross into the danger area saw Jamie Duffy and Dave Cassidy get in each other's way and a glorious chance was lost.

DERRY CITY: Jennings; Rogers, Kelly, Oman, Hargan; McGlynn, O'Halloran, Higgins (McCafferty, 85 mins) McCourt (Brennan, 80 mins); McHugh, Hynes (Farren, 77 mins).

SHAMROCK ROVERS: Murphy; Lawrence (Clarke, 90 mins), Price, Ferguson, O'Brien; Duffy (Kilduff, 75 mins), Ryan, Cassidy, O'Connor (Rowe, 56 mins); Purcell, Myler.

Referee: I Stokes (Dublin).