The drive for five may be back on

WITH Shamrock Rovers one-nil victory at home against Derry City on Monday, the Hoops now find themselves in third place just two points off the Candy Stripes and a further four points off leaders Shelbourne.

Even more tantalising again is the prospect of Rovers’ next match– at home, to Shelbourne, this Friday, at 7.45 pm.

However Rovers’ win against Derry was only their second in eight games with their previous victory against the same opposition at the Brandywell in April.

The Hoops will realise that they need to improve their win-ratio if they hope to land the 2024 League title.

Johnny Kenny, whose strike helped to deliver the crucial three points on Monday, was the main man for the Tallaght side.

Derry, by contrast, were missing their top scorer Patrick Hoban through suspension.

However the Candy Stripes began the game in an attacking frame of mind with a half-chance falling to Michael Duffy early on.

Shamrock Rovers had a great chance to take the lead after only two minutes.

A long ball from Dan Cleary caused all sorts of trouble for the Derry defence.

Kenny capitalised on Cameron McJannet’s inability to deal with Cleary’s long ball and then went past Shane McEleney and rounded the Derry goalkeeper, Brian Maher, only to see his effort cleared off the line by Adam O’Reilly for the first corner of the game.

However, seven minutes later the Hoops broke the deadlock.

The Tallaght team worked the ball from the back through Captain Roberto Lopes, Darragh Nugent and Markus Poom for Kenny to lay the ball off to Graham Burke who unleashed a pile driver off his left.

Maher saved the initial effort but the in-form Kenny smartly finished off the rebound.

This was Kenny’s fifth goal in seven matches and his seventh goal for the season.

However, Derry were undeterred and continued to attack the Rovers’ goal but with shots from O’Reilly and Will Patching, which didn’t work the Rover’s goalkeeper.

Coming up to the twenty-minute mark the Tallaght team had a golden opportunity to double their lead.

In a counter-attack Trevor Clarke was fouled by Ronan Boyce but the ball ran to Kenny with referee Damien MacGraith playing the advantage.

Kenny took full advantage only to be fouled by McJannet for a penalty.

However, Burke’s spot-kick didn’t have the requisite power with Maher saving to his right and the ball going out for a corner.

Again Derry went on the attack with Cameron Dummigan going just wide.

Derry were somewhat open at the back with an effort from Kenny blocked by McEleney.

However, Rovers were able to maintain their lead for the valuable win.