A LAST gasp Jamie McGonigle stunning winner was enough for Derry City to see off champions Shamrock Rovers in dramatic fashion at the sold-out Ryan McBride Brandywell stadium (kick-off 7.45 pm).
Jamie’s stunning stoppage time goal on 95 minutes sealed the hard-fought victory which unfortunately was marred by some trouble caused by some supporters that ran onto the pitch after Dylan Watts had initially cancelled out Will Patching’s penalty for the home side.
Derry goalkeeper Brian Maher was called into action 18 minutes as Jack Byrne’s tremendous pass found Rory Gaffney and after getting away from Eoin Toal, the striker’s well-hit drive from 10 yards was superbly kept out by the Ireland U21 international.
Derry’s fans thought they had taken the lead a minute as Brandon Kavangh’s inswinging corner from the right found Danny Lafferty at the back post, but the defender’s header hit the side netting.
The home side continued to play on the front foot and a clever through ball by Kavanagh found Jamie McGonigle, but his goalbound curling effort from 12 yards was superbly blocked by a diving Roberto Lopes.
Soon after a lovely piece of skill by Patching saw him nutmeg Richie Towell, before his cross into the six-yard box was just in front of an in-coming James Akintunde.
Just before the interval, a mis-timed Toal header inside his own penalty box only found Danny Mandroiu, but his stunning overhead kick was kept out by a diving Maher.
Derry took the lead on 54 minutes as Patching made no mistake from the penalty spot, after Byrne had bundled McGonigle to the ground, after a well worked free-kick move caught out the visitors.
Rovers levelled things on 73 minutes in impressive fashion after Ciaron Harkin had upended Gary O’Neill and Watts’ resulting curling free-kick from the edge of the box flew into Maher’s bottom right hand corner, giving the keeper no chance.
The closing drama came at the death as Roberto Lopes’ tame back pass from the half-way line only put McGonigle through on goal and he made no mistake cutting in on his left foot and firing high into the net, to spark wild celebrations.
Derry City: Brian Maher, Cameron Dummigan, Eoin Toal, Cameron McJannett, Danny Lafferty; Ciaron Harkin (Ronan Boyce 72), Will Patching, Joe Thomson; James Aktiunde (Patrick McEleney 54), Jamie McGonigle, Brandon Kavanagh (Shane McEleney 96).
Shamrock Rovers: Alan Mannus, Ronan Finn (Sean Gannon 88), Sean Hoare, Roberto Lopes, Lee Grace; Gary O’Neill, Barry Cotter (Dylan Watts 65), Danny Mandroiu (Graham Burke 65); Richie Towell (Andy Lyons 65), Rory Gaffney (Aaron Greene 84), Jack Byrne.
Referee: Rob Hennessy (Dublin)
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