Rovers tops in Dublin derby

Shamrock Rovers secured a 1-0 victory in the Dublin Derby against Bohemians in Tallaght last night, reports James Fffench.

An 84th minute strike from Graham Burke won it for the Hoops, who now sit third and three points ahead of fourth placed Galway United.

Rovers came into the game unbeaten in three games after the 1-1 draw with Derry on Friday, but had suffered consecutive Dublin Derby defeats in the previous two games against their biggest rivals.

Both sides sit at opposite ends of the table, and the opening minutes showcased this as Rovers should have been a goal to the good after just two minutes.

A low cross from Trevor Clarke was missed by Johnny Kenny and fell to Darragh Burns but his effort somehow found the post from just three yards out.

Kenny would have another chance on 23 minutes after Danny Mandroiu played a brilliant pass in behind the Bohs defence to him, but with the angle narrowing as Kenny raced through on goal his audacious chipped effort was palmed over the bar by Kacper Chorazka.

Kenny was put through again five minutes before the break after a brilliant, lobbed pass from Jack Byrne, but he dragged his effort wide and the sides headed in level at half time.

Bohemians created very little in the game, finding the target just once over the course of the 90 minutes.

Dawson Devoy’s long range effort after 52 minutes was his sides first real shot on goal, and it narrowly sailed over the bar.

Graham Burke went close with 12 minutes to go in the contest as his powerful free kick was beat away by Chorazka but he and Rovers were not to be denied much longer.

With 84 minutes on the clock, substitute Neil Farrugia’s cross was taken down by Dylan Watts into the path of Graham Burke who unleashed a rocket of a shot into the bottom left-hand corner of the net to send Rovers fans into raptures.

Stephen Bradley’s side saw the rest of the game out comfortably, securing their first derby victory in three games.

His side welcome St Patrick’s Athletic to Tallaght on Friday, as they look to continue to push for an unlikely title victory.