Rovers' title challenge gathers momentum

Shamrock Rovers 2 Derry City 1:SHAMROCK ROVERS' title challenge is gathering momentum but Michael O'Neill's evolving team survived a Derry test as the gap on table-toppers Bohemians was reduced to three points.

Having led by two goals at the break all the signs suggested Rovers would cruise to victory, but they were forced to strain every sinew after the restart. It was a real character-building success for the Hoops because Derry City really made them work for it.

Moving the ball forward with speed and accuracy Derry contributed to a fascinating contest, but Rovers remained defiant.

Rovers resolve was seriously examined and goalkeeper Barry Murphy was forced to make a raft of saves in the closing stages, but the ever-improving Rovers survived.

The full-time whistle delighted a typically passionate audience, and a satisfied smile was etched across Michael O’Neill’s face. It was that kind of a night with plenty of positives for the home side to reflect upon.

Dashing in the first half, determined in the second, Rovers stretched their unbeaten league sequence to a dozen matches, and such consistency augurs well for any outfit intent on landing silverware.

Bohemians’ troubles on the banks of the Boyne last Friday against Drogheda United offered Rovers a sliver of hope, and O’Neill’s charges responded. The title race really is getting interesting now.

Rovers grafted prodigiously early on, and their grit was rewarded with two crucial first-quarter goals. Seven minutes had elapsed when Ollie Cahill’s throw-in located Seanie O’Connor, and a couple of subtle touches from the winger brought him into shooting range.

O’Connor made a sweet connection from the edge of the Derry area, and Rovers were armed with an advantage. Derry did fashion opportunities, but Thomas Stewart fired wide, while Ruairdhi Higgins was denied by Murphy before Rovers struck again.

Dessie Baker’s skill on the right vexed the visitors and the unmarked Tadhg Purcell, who had scampered into the area, nodded home the former Manchester United trainee’s cross. That Rovers possessed a two-goal interval cushion was harsh on Derry, but Stephen Kenny’s side thundered back into the contest.

Higgins slipped the ball into Rovers territory, O’Connor was unable to get sufficient purchase on his clearance, and Tam McManus pounced to give Derry some hope.

Rovers were now under considerable duress. Midfielders Stephen Rice and Shane Robinson who had probed so intelligently early on, were now simply quenching fires as Derry carried a potent threat.

Thomas Stewart and McManus blasted long-range shots which Murphy gathered as Derry furiously sought to restore parity. Rovers, though, were defending deep as Aidan Price and Craig Sives coped with the altitude deliveries impressively.

Gareth McGlynn was parading his ability on the right and he centred for Mark Farren in the 71st minute, but Murphy saved once more. Thereafter it was all about Rovers’ heart and honesty.

Derry were pretty, but Rovers were effective. The inevitable late burst from Derry didn’t yield an equaliser as Rovers edged near to their Dublin foes. The next couple of months won’t be short on intrigue as the Rovers revival continues apace.

SHAMROCK ROVERS: Murphy; Sullivan, Price, Sives, Cahill; Purcell, Robinson, Rice (Bradley, 90), OConnor; Baker (Flynn, 84), Twigg (Johnston, 75).

DERRY CITY: Doherty; OBrien, Delaney, Molloy, Gray (Martyn, 88); McGlynn, Deery, Higgins, Stewart (Scullion, 75); McManus, Farren (Nash, 83).

Referee: D Hanney (Dublin).