Shamrock Rovers extend league lead with comeback victory over Derry City
Trailing to Danny Mullen's goal just after the hour mark, substitutes Michael Noonan and Aaron McEneff sealed the points for the visitors.
McEneff's winner came on 89 minutes against his hometown club, means the Hoops move six points clear at the top of the table and secures their fifth win in a row.
Referee Marc Lynch certainly was the main talking point in the opening quarter as he booked Carl Winchester, Liam Boyce and Cory O'Sullivan, the Rovers man's caution resulted in boss Stephen Bradley deciding to replace him with Josh Honohan.
It was the home side who had the first real serious effort on 25 minutes when a super flowing move ended with Boyce's close range shot bravely blocked around the post by Rovers defender Adam Matthews.
Minutes later, City goalkeeper Brian Maher had to make a comfortable save when he gathered Graham Burke's 20 yard drive, after Shane Ferguson had lost possession deep inside his own half.
Derry gaffer Tiernan Lynch made a double change on the hour mark with Mullen and Paul McMullan replacing Boyce and Gavin Whyte, as he looked to get his team up the pitch.
The Tallaght men made a triple change themselves on 64 minutes with Danny Mandroiu, Dylan Watts and Noonan all coming on, but it was City who took the lead a minute later.
Winchester did well to win possession off Jack Byrne, he found McMullan, who with a superb pass picked Mullen and after breaking in behind Lopes, the Scottish front man coolly lifted the ball over the out-rushing Ed McGinty.
To their credit Rovers levelled things on 71 minutes after another goalkeeping error by Maher, as the City net-minder seemed to misjudge Lopes' 25 yard pile driver and although the keeper parried the shot away, Noonan was on hand to nod home the rebound.
Derry had a great chance to regain the lead but Michael Duffy's close range shot was bravely blocked by a superb tackle by Matthews.
Rovers won it in the closing stages when Danny Grant latched onto Mandroiu's pass before cutting the ball back to McEneff who slotted home from close range, before celebrating in front of the City fans.
Against his hometown club! 🫨
Aaron McEneff scores late on that'll surely win it for the visitors. pic.twitter.com/9nLDkLhFTI
— League of Ireland (@LeagueofIreland) May 23, 2025
Derry City: Brian Maher, Hayden Cann, Mark Connolly, Kevin Holt; Shane Ferguson (Ben Doherty 77), Carl Winchester, Adam O'Reilly (Robbie Benson 84), Gavin Whyte (Paul McMullan 61), Sam Todd; Michael Duffy (Pat Hoban 84); Liam Boyce (Danny Mullen 61).
Shamrock Rovers: Ed McGinty, Daniel Cleary, Roberto Lopes, Cory O'Sullivan (Josh Honohan 18); Adam Mathews, Darragh Nugent (Danny Mandroiu 64), Matthew Healy, Jack Byrne (Aaron McEneff 77), Graham Burke (Dylan Watts 64), Daniel Grant; Aaron Greene (Michael Noonan 64).
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