Pic: George Kelly
Sunday afternoon saw an eventful fixture between Derry City and Shamrock Rovers. The home side won 2-1. A late goal from Rovers’ Rory Gaffney was not enough to seal the title on the third attempt. For head coach Stephen Bradley and assistant coach Glenn Cronin, the day was busier than usual. They took part in the Dublin Marathon before kick-off.
The pair arrived around 10 minutes into the game, having received a briefing from sporting director Stephen McPhail. The fixture sparked widespread outrage among the travelling support. The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) denied entry to one coach. However, there was a sense of unity among supporters. Banners were displayed from both sides saying: “There is no British justice.” This happened after the recent news of a former British paratrooper being acquitted of charges related to two murders and five attempted murders from Bloody Sunday 1972.
First-half
Shamrock Rovers started the game brightly, and an opportunity from Graham Burke on the edge of the box forced a save from Brian Maher. The Rovers’ backline, which consisted of Adam Matthews, Lee Grace, Roberto Lopes, Cory O’Sullivan, and Josh Honohan, was caught out with a misplaced pass that led to Robbie Benson intercepting.
The middle of the park appeared to be congested at times, leading to a lack of fluidity among players. Around the 10th minute, Stephen Bradley appeared on the touchline, receiving a briefing from McPhail. A pass out from Ed McGinty to the intended O’Sullivan led to a throw-in. Shortly after, Brandon Fleming was given a pass from the middle to which he hit a wonderstrike on 25 minutes, leaving McGinty with little chance of stopping. Darragh Nugent struggled to stop him from delivering the ball into the box, whether he meant it or not, Fleming hit his first-ever goal for Derry City.
Around the 30th-minute mark, Rovers had begun to create chances and make life difficult for the Derry City goalkeeper. A corner led to a congested box that saw Michael Noonan attempt an overhead finish for it to be blocked. Again, it was Rovers who dominated possession as they led 64-36 after 31 minutes.
Second-half
Chances came for Shamrock Rovers to level proceedings with title hopefuls, Derry City. Just five minutes into the second half, Nugent delivered a good opportunity for Honohan, but it did not find the net. Grace picked up his first of two yellow cards 10 minutes into the half. Fleming, who looked threatening all game, caused various issues for the centre-back. Just five minutes after the first card, Grace saw himself foul the goalscorer again.
The foul, which led to Michael Duffy forcing McGinty into a save from the free, caused unjust pressure. In 62 minutes, for a third time, Grace fouled Fleming, leaving the referee with little option but to brandish him with a second yellow, and he was sent off. Bradley admitted in his post-match interview that he was about to take Grace off when the red card was shown.
Bradley made various alterations to his squad in an attempt to draw level, before substitute Sadou Diallo found the net in the 87th minute. The goal, which came from Lopes being caught out on the right wing by Duffy, raced to the box to find Diallo to make it 2-0. Controversially, after a Rovers supporters’ bus was denied entry due to pyrotechnics, McGinty’s goal was hindered by them in the 89th minute. Rory Gaffney found the net in the 98th minute, but it was not enough as Derry City ran out 2-1 victors.
Key moments and performers
Brandon Fleming was awarded Player of the Match by Virgin Media, playing a pivotal role in the proceedings. The English defender managed 80 touches throughout the game and provided Lee Grace with a headache when trying to track him down. He carried a constant threat on the left flank and contributed to Derry City’s victory, which has since guaranteed them a place in the UEFA Conference League qualifiers at a minimum.
Sadou Diallo’s goal ended up being the winning moment for Tiernan Lynch’s side. Diallo, who replaced Benson at the interval, also played a big role. Despite picking up a yellow card, Diallo concluded the game with a 79% pass accuracy rate and a 74% accuracy rate in the Shamrock Rovers half.
Post-match reaction
Despite losing, Stephen Bradley was quick to compliment the Derry City supporters who sang out his son’s name, Josh. Aa Bradley completed the Dublin Marathon, for a cause close to his heart in Oscar’s Kids, he ran with the name “Josh” written on his arm. Cronin also ran the marathon with the name “Aoife” on his arm. Both Josh and Aoife, children of Bradley and Cronin, respectively, had their bouts with cancer. Today, they are both thankfully healthy, cancer-free.
Bradley’s mantra throughout the campaign and missing the third attempt to seal the title is to “stay calm”. His squad, well-versed in clinching titles, is aware of the requirements that surround it. Bradley will be as disappointed as the supporters to lose three league games in a row. Wednesday night will offer another attempt to seal it. When asked if the number of games had hindered his side from sealing the title, it was dismissed as he said they are “not looking for excuses”.
What it means and looking ahead
Shamrock Rovers remain the overwhelming title favourites and would require a miraculous turnaround. The Hoops are three points clear of Derry City with two games remaining, and Derry City with one game remaining. Next on the agenda, and the fourth opportunity to seal the title. They face Galway United at home on Wednesday at 8 pm. Similar to the past three defeats, anything but a loss will seal the title.
Derry City head to Turner’s Cross next Saturday in the final day of the League of Ireland season. They travel to face Cork City at the same time as Shamrock Rovers hosting Sligo Rovers. All fixtures take place at 4.30 pm.