In what was an actual showdown on the prime of the Premier Division desk, Shamrock claimed what may become a season-deciding 1-0 victory in opposition to Derry Metropolis on Monday night time.
In what was a largely cagey affair from the Tallaght Stadium, it was Rory Gaffney’s first-half strike that proved sufficient for Stephen Bradley’s facet to increase their buffer on the prime of the Premier Division desk to seven factors.
Making an instantaneous return to successful methods after dropping a pair of factors away at Bohemians over the weekend, Shamrock will now know that they’re sat in pole place to defend their home crown in 2023.
Whereas Derry may need travelled to Dublin after claiming a much-needed increase in opposition to Cork Metropolis just a few days in the past, the Candystripes actually got here crashing again all the way down to earth and nonetheless discover themselves within the midst of a current wobble.
In a showdown that might determine the place this season’s Premier Division title will likely be heading, we have now taken a take a look at the primary speaking factors from Monday’s battle in Dublin.
It should take a miracle to cease Shamrock
Whereas Shamrock may need endured a nine-year Premier Division drought between 2011-2020, the Irish heavyweights have solely continued on a outstanding top-flight romp over the previous three years.
Though Monday’s hosts may need been disillusioned after struggling a second-half collapse away at Bohemians over the weekend, Bradley’s facet have actually confirmed that was nothing greater than a minor blip.
Placing in a rigged show right here and greater than deserving of most factors, Shamrock have mustered 12 factors from simply their final 5 Premier Division appearances and so they have bounced again from their temporary wobble when signing off Might.
With Monday’s 1-0 victory now widening their buffer over the chasing pack to seven factors, it seems that Bradley’s squad are sat firmly in pole place to say 4 top-flight crowns on the bounce.
Persevering with to shine on both facet of June’s worldwide break and never struggling a single defeat on dwelling soil for the reason that begin of April, Shamrock have confirmed that it’ll take a minor miracle to cease them this season.
Gaffney again to his finest
Gaining a popularity for his or her success within the closing third this season, it’ll actually be Gaffney who’s spearheading Shamrock’s cost for a fourth consecutive Premier Division crown this season.
Whereas the one-time Salford striker may need drawn a clean on both facet of the worldwide break, the 33-year-old has loved an eye catching flurry over the previous month.
Together with bagging a brace in Shamrock’s routine 3-0 romp away at Sligo Rovers on June fifth, Gaffney has now notched seven top-flight strikes this season and has a vital function to play going ahead.
Now sat in pole place to say Shamrock’s Golden Boot this season, Gaffney was actually again to his finest on Monday night time.
Inflicting Derry’s leaky defence a string of points right here, this was additionally the primary strike that Gaffney has recorded in Dublin for the reason that begin of Might.
Derry come crashing again all the way down to earth
Whereas Derry may need as soon as once more gained a string of plaudits since opening the 2023 marketing campaign, the Candystripes do discover themselves within the midst of what has been an prolonged rut.
Though Monday’s company may need marked their return from the worldwide break with a much-needed 2-0 victory at dwelling in opposition to Cork Metropolis, Ruaidhri Higgins’ males have failed to seek out any form of stability over the previous month.
On a rut that’s highlighted by a woeful 4-1 drumming by the hands of St. Patrick’s when opening June, Derry have now picked up only a single win from any of their final six straight home appearances – a run that stems all the best way again to Might nineteenth.
Now understanding that it’ll take a minor miracle to dethrone Shamrock this season and accepting that one other silver medal end is the very best they will accept, Higgins’ males have additionally proven some somewhat evident points on the highway.
In reality, Derry have now misplaced every of their earlier three top-flight away battles by an combination rating of 6-1.
Match Report
Shamrock Rovers: Pohls, Cleary, Lopes, Hoare, Farrugia, Towell, Poom, S. Kavanagh, Byrne, Kenny, Gaffney
Subs: Burket, Burt, Energy, Watts, Gannon
Derry Metropolis: Maher, Boyce, McJannett, McEleney, Doherty, O’Reilly, Diallo, Dummigan, Graydon, McGonigle, B. Kavanagh
Subs: Connolly, C. Kavanagh, McEneff
Objectives: Gaffney (27’)
Yellow Playing cards: Shamrock Rovers: Kenny, Gannon, S. Kavanagh, Cleary – Derry Metropolis: B. Kavanagh, O’Reilly, Graydon
Purple Playing cards: N/A
Referee: Robert Hennessy
