National League/Premier Division: What proved a momentous day for Shamrock Rovers off the field ended disappointingly on it last night when Derry City denied the club a chance to move off the foot of the table. Rovers boss Roddy Collins will be livid as his side had dictated up until Ciarán Martyn's early second-half goal.
Despite the defeat - their eighth of the season - the home fans were not too dismayed at the final whistle. Their all important takeover of the club is imminent and, indeed, they celebrated that fact in the stands from the first whistle to the last.
Both sides looked to probe early on and slick interchanges, particularly from the home side, dictated the opening quarter.
Although Derry tested the home defence with three early corners, Rovers refused to be intimidated and they retaliated with a number of smart attacks on the break.
Not for the first time this season, Pat McCourt thrilled the home support with his every touch and he went close to breaking the deadlock after 14 minutes. Trevor Molloy knocked a short free to the Derry-born striker and he shot narrowly wide from the edge of the box.
That strike boosted Rovers and defender Jason Gavin then teased goalkeeper David Forde with a powerful 30-yard effort, but the ball was always going over the crossbar.
Rovers then suffered a setback when midfielder Willo McDonagh was sent off after 23 minutes for clashing with referee Alan Kelly.
Nevertheless, Rovers coped in both midfield and defence with whatever Derry had to offer. Strikers Gary Beckett and Mark Farren dropped deep to find space, but despite facing just a three-man Rovers defence, found it difficult to apply a telling ball.
Despite that, Derry went ahead. Martyn went on a surging 48th minute run and, after slipping past tired challenges, sent the ball high into Barry Murphy's net. Minutes later Murphy spared Steven Gough's blushes by tipping a deflection over the bar and then later pulled off a superb double save to deny Seán Hargan and then Martyn.
Derry, who enjoyed complete control of the second half, secured full points with 10 minutes remaining when Rovers midfielder Gavin McDonnell wrong-footed Murphy by deflecting Killian Brennan's shot into his own net.
SHAMROCK ROVERS: Murphy; Gavin, McGuinness, Doyle; Gough, McDonagh, McDonnell, Rutherford; McCourt; Molloy, Mooney. Subs: Treacy for Doyle (84mins), Dawson for Gavin (87mins), Daniel for McCourt (90mins). Sent off: McDonagh (23 mins).
DERRY CITY: Forde; Deery, Delaney, Hutton Hargan; Cash, Martyn, Doherty, Brennan; Beckett, Farren. Subs: Higgins for Doherty (28mins), McGlynn for Cash (75mins), Murphy for Beckett (81mins).
Referee: A Kelly (Cork).
