DERRY CITY ARE determined to hang onto Sligo Rovers’ jersey-tails in the opening salvoes of the Airtricity League season.
The Candystripes smashed Shelbourne 4-0 at home to go to 10 points after five matches and lead the chasing pack behind the 2012 champions.
Shels put up a spirited fight in the opening 30 minutes at The Brandywell before Rory Patterson opened the scoring.
The Dubliners have just a point to their name so far this season but a defeat looked on the cards the moment Patterson’s low cross was turned into his own net by Shelbourne defender Paul Crowley.
Goal of the night came courtesy of City forward Michael Rafter as he tasered an effort in off the underside of the bar.
The final insult came when Simon Madden was brought down for a penalty that Mark Griffin just about scored as it spun back over the line following an pawing stop by Niall Burdon.
Insults in injury time
Cork City were denied their second win of the season as Shamrock Rovers scored an equaliser eyebrows-deep in injury time at Tallaght Stadium.
Colin Healy’s first-half strike looked to half given the visitors three precious points but a 65th minute sending off for Darren Dennehy put them under immense pressure.
Ken Oman had the best chance to level the game but he headed over with 15 minutes remaining.
All hope seemed lost but a Ronan Finn cross four minutes into time added on was nodded down by Mark Quigley and squeaked home by Rovers defender Derek Foran to make it 1-1 and cause scenes of delirium in Tallaght.
Over in the Carlisle Grounds, Bray Wanderers needed a John Mulroy goal with 10 minutes to go to earn them a 2-2 draw with UCD.
Jason Byrne put Wanderers ahead after four minutes before David McMillan turned the tie on its head with a brace.
The home side had to mount their successful comeback with the goalkeeping services of Darren Quigley, who was red carded for the foul that led to McMillan’s second penalty goal.
Other scores: Wexford Youths 2-1 Waterford United; Mervue United 2-2 Finn harps; Athlone 3-3 Salthill Devon.
