Hoops look to take points in Derry

SHAMROCK Rovers made it back to-back league wins with a 2-1 victory over Galway United on Monday night.

Rovers took an early lead through Marc McNulty before United equalised through a penalty, but a late Garry Buckley own goal gifted the hoops all three points with six minutes to go.

Prior to the game, Stephen Bradley discussed having to make changes amidst a busy upcoming schedule and one of those changes gave his side the opening goal after 19 minutes.

Jack Byrne whipped a dangerous ball into the Galway six-yard box which wasn’t dealt with by the United defence, and the ball fell to McNulty who finished emphatically into the bottom right-hand corner of the net.

John Caulfield’s side have taken two points off Rovers in as many games this season, and they had an opportunity to level matters after half an hour as Edward McCarthy’s cross was adjudged to have been deliberately handled by Daniel Cleary.

Former Rovers man Conor McCormack confidently dispatched the penalty to score his first goal of the season to send the sides level heading into the break.

Rovers continued to probe for a winner in the second half, dominating 71% of the possession without creating a great deal of chances.

However, they would find their winner with six minutes to go as a long ball was played up to the in-form Johnny Kenny who’s poor touch fell to Garry Buckley, and in unfortunate circumstances his scuffed clearance found its way into the back of his own net.

It could have been more comfortable for Bradley’s side as Daniel Cleary nodded home from a free kick to put two between the sides, but he was adjudged to have pushed his marker in the back, preventing the goal from being given.

Rovers, now up to third, head to second place Derry next, as they look to make it three wins on the bounce.