National League Premier Div/Shelbourne 1 Derry City 0: Shelbourne lifted the hex cast by Stephen Kenny in dramatic fashion at Tolka Park last night.
Try as they might, the Dubliners had failed to negotiate a path around Derry in the 18 months that Kenny has been in charge, but amid a late second-half revival after an uncertain offering until then, the hosts struck with Jason Byrne stabbing home the winner a minute from time.
Shelbourne made hard work of it and endured a particularly difficult start, spending much of their time attempting to contain a free-running Derry side that varied their attack impressively. Using the full width of the pitch, Derry implemented their strategy through a willing midfield quartet who were afforded too much time in possession.
Barry Molloy showed impressive vision and time and again set his side on the front foot. With Paddy McCourt on his outside and top scorer Ciarán Martyn inside, Molloy had a valuable array of targets willing to develop attacks after his initial ball-winning exploits. Factor in Killian Brennan, who cut a dash when swaggering in from the left, and the visitors were top-heavy surging forward.
Shelbourne could have gone behind early on but Martyn headed off the bar following McCourt's wizardry and subsequent cross while under pressure.
Soon after, Kevin McHugh, a substitute against UCD at the weekend, justified his inclusion from the start when first testing Dean Delaney with a close-range shot and then, on the half hour, sending a curling free just a yard wide.
But Shelbourne showed creative flashes. Granted both distribution and touch might not have been to manager Pat Fenlon's liking but still his two front men, Jason Byrne and Gary O'Neill, showed impressively when the ball eventually worked their way. Indeed, Byrne had David Forde scrambling when he latched onto Richie Baker's searching cross while Owen Heary blazed a free header poorly wide from distance.
Joseph Ndo replaced the injured O'Neill, and his introduction brought with it a marked improvement in attitude as Shelbourne were notably more creative and tenacious.
Still, though, despite their surge in confidence and the impressive manner in which they finished Shelbourne could still not apply breaks to Derry's momentum. McHugh and Seán Hargan had opportunities to secure full points late on but both shot wide of Delaney.
Little did they realise, though, that Byrne had kept an ace up his sleeve. With one minute remaining, Ndo teased in a cross for the Irish international to tuck home, amid a sea of bodies, from close range.
SHELBOURNE: Delaney; Heary, Hawkins, Dillon, Rogers; Baker, S Byrne, Moore, Cahill; J Byrne, O'Neill. Subs: Ndo for O'Neill (half-time), Ryan and Crowe for Baker and Moore (both 83 mins). Booked: Heary (33 mins), Moore (38 mins).
DERRY CITY: Forde; McCallion, Hutton, McChrystal, Hargan; McCourt, Molloy, Martyn, Brennan; McHugh, Beckett. Subs: Farren for McHugh (83 mins), O'Flynn for Beckett (86 mins). Booked: Hargan (27 mins), Martyn (49 mins).
Referee: D McKeon (Dublin)
