Irish Premier Division
Derry City 1 – 0 Shamrock Rovers FT
Derry City claimed back -to back wins in the League of Ireland Premier Division for the first time this season with a 1-0 win over champions Shamrock Rovers at Celtic Park.
A total of 7,104 spectators piled through the turnstiles for a historic night, the first soccer game to be played at the home of Derry GAA since the 1940s, doubling as the first ever League of Ireland fixture at the Lone Moor Road venue.
The Candystripes were playing the first of at least five of their home fixtures at the GAA venue while a state-of-the-art hybrid pitch is installed at their Brandywell home.
Fans of the club did not have far to travel from their traditional base with only 400 yards separating the two grounds.
James Clarke's 26th minute goal sealed all three points for the home side, ending Rovers' nine game unbeaten run.
Derry stay fifth and are now nine points behind leaders St Pat's, while Rovers drop to second and trail the pacesetters by one points.
Candystripes take three points in front of huge crowd
The first chance of the game fell to the visitors as Jack Byrne's ball towards the back post was hooked inches wide of the post by Aaron Greene at full stretch.
Rovers continued to dominate possession and thought they had taken the lead midway through the half, John O'Sullivan's effort from 30 yards rattling the crossbar with Eddie Beach in the home goal beaten.
Despite the away side's dominance, it was the hosts who hit the front against the run of play.
Brandon Fleming's mis-kick at the edge of the area was knocked on towards the back post via Patrick McClean and Clarke reacted sharpest to fire across Ed McGinty into the bottom corner of the net.
Derry almost doubled their lead minutes later, Clarke got himself into the box before cutting it back to Josh Thomas, but his effort from six yards was incredibly blocked by Jake Mulreaney to deny what looked like a certain goal.
Tiernan Lynch's side continued to push for a second, O'Reilly's free-kick from 25 yards looking destined for the top corner, only to be matched by a remarkable save by McGinty.
Entering seven minutes of additional time, Graham Burke forced a reaction save from Beach down at his near post, before Roberto Lopes headed over from close range after a long throw from Burke.
Despite the champions piling on the pressure, Derry held firm and defended resolutely to earn a huge three points.
Derry travel to Dalymount Park next, while Shamrock Rovers welcome Waterford to Tallaght Stadium.
Derry City: Beach, Fleming, P McClean, Stott, Cotter (Barr 83), Winchester, O’Reilly, Olayinka (Akinyemi 65), Markey, Clarke, Thomas (Rylah 83).
Subs not used: Callistar, Doherty, Santos, Dummigan, Bannon, Downey.
Shamrock Rovers: McGinty, Lopes, Stevens, C O’Sullivan (Asamoah 57), Ozhianvuna, Sobowale (Cleary 57), J O’Sullivan (Burke 57), J Mulraney, Byrne, Greene, M Noonan (McGovern 75).
Subs not used: A Noonan, Matthews, Brennan, Razi, Malley.
