Shamrock Rovers 3 Derry City 1
Shamrock Rovers condemned Derry City to their fifth successive league defeat this evening, beating the Candystripes convincingly at Richmond Park.
Derry, who claimed the FAI Cup earlier this season at the expense of Rovers, got off to a blistering start and went in front with just a minute on the clock, Peter Hutton claiming one of the fastest goals in league history.
But the Rovers players, none of whom had managed a touch before Hutton netted, fought their way back into the contest and equalised just before the break through Noel Hunt.
Rovers carried that momentum through to the second half and dominated proceedings from the outset. Goals from Stephen Grant - on 65 minutes - and Paul Caffrey 13 minutes from time earned the points for Rovers and closed the gap on Cork City in third place in the league.