Airtricity League Premier Division
Shamrock Rovers 0 Derry City 2
DERRY City consolidated their grip on third place in the Airtricity Premier Division with a 2-0 win over Shamrock Rovers at the Tallaght Stadium last night.
A win for the Dublin side would have taken them to within five points of Kenny Shiels’s side with a game in hand but, instead, the Candystripes were able to extend their advantage over Stephen Bradley’s men, with Aaron McEneff and Barry McNamee grabbing the goals.
It was the visitors who started the brightest with Ronan Curtis creating the first real chance of the game, but his effort was saved by Tomer Chencinski after 24 minutes.
Chencinski was called into action just before the interval as McEneff tried to catch him out when the Rovers defence was expecting a cross from a free-kick, but he was able to palm the ball away to safety.
Rovers nearly took the lead seconds later but Ronan Finn saw his effort go just wide after a fine run by Trevor Clarke.
The home side started the second half strongly and there were claims for a penalty when Simon Madden went down under pressure, but referee Robert Harvey wasn’t interested.
Brandon Miele was proving dangerous as the Derry defence came under more and more pressure, but Derry struck against the play in the 63rd minute.
McEneff was able to carry the ball forward from midfield and with the Rovers defence backing off, he was able to pick his spot.
Rovers came back strong in search of an equaliser, but Clarke and Gary Shaw wasted chances.
With seconds remaining Rovers goalkeeper Chencinski came forward for a corner, but when the ball was cleared, McNamee was able to score from the halfway line with the net unguarded.
Finn Harps 1 Galway United 3
THE sending off of Paddy McCourt shortly after half-time proved to be the turning point as Finn Harps went down to a 3-1 home defeat to relegation rivals Galway United last night.
In a cracking first half, Galway went ahead on 13 minutes when new signing Jonah Ayunga burst forward and threaded the ball through for Gavan Holohan to steer beyond the reach of Ciaran Gallagher.
Eddie Dsane had a goal ruled out for offside on 26 minutes but a minute later was taken down in the box after being put through by Sean Houston. However, his spot-kick was saved by Conor Winn.
Caolan McAleer capitalised on a defensive mix-up to dash down the right flank and whip in an inch-perfect cross for the in-rushing Dsane to head firmly home from close range.
Influential playmaker McCourt got a second yellow on 51 minutes for a foul on Colm Horgan and the pendulum swung in Galway’s favour.
Galway made it 2-1 with a thumping 25-yard free from Ronan Murray on 76 minutes and the same player added the third on 83 minutes to seal the victory.
