On the night they opened their new South Stand, Shamrock Rovers maintained their 100% start to the league campaign with a 2-0 victory over ten-man Derry City at the Tallaght Stadium. After fitting tribute was paid to ex-Chairman Joe Colwell and clu
Shamrock Rovers strengthened their grip on fourth place in the SSE Premier Division with a 2-0 win over nearest rivals Derry City at the Tallaght Stadium.
On a warm summer’s evening, during which mandatory water breaks were used, goals in either half by Dan Carr and Joel Coustrain earned the Hoops a deserved third league victory in a row.
The key moment arrived as the stopwatch ticked into the second minute of first half injury time. Joel Coustrain skipped down the Rovers left, evading two tackles.
The former Sheffield United man swung over a cross to find centre-forward Dan Carr, who was a handful all night for the Derry defence. Carr swivelled and unleashed an unstoppable shot high into the Derry net. It was no more than the Hoops deserved.
Carr might have given the home side the lead much earlier. A great run and pass by Brandon Kavanagh set up Carr who executed a superb 13th minute step over but his low left foot shot flashed just wide of the right hand upright.
Another Brandon Kavanagh pass found Carr at the far post in the 39th minute. Carr’s volley hit the turf and bounced over Ger Doherty in the Derry goal but flew just over the crossbar. There were also chances for the lively Brandon Kavanagh and skipper Ronan Finn but Derry held out until Carr’s superb breakthrough strike.
Joel Coustrain ensured the points were safe with a 65th minute clincher. Sean Kavanagh played the ball across the box from the left. That man again Carr got a shot away. His effort was blocked but the ball fell kindly for Coustrain who swept a shot low to the bottom corner from six yards range.
