The winner was Duffy's seventh goal of the league campaign Derry City moved up to fourth position in the League of Ireland Premier Division table as they defeat Shelbourne 1-0 at Tolka Park. Michael Duffy scored the only goal of the game on 55 minutes with a stunning strike from the edge of the box. Tiernan Lynch's men had to withhold a late spell of pressure from the defending Premier Division champions to clinch a crucial three points. The result puts an end to Derry's four game winless run and is the Candystripes' first league victory at Tolka Park in more than two years. In the eighth minute, Liam Boyce's speculative shot from just inside the Shelbourne half was close to giving the away side an early lead but his effort was just over the crossbar. Boyce had another chance seconds later when he controlled a through ball from Gavin Whyte and travelled forward before firing across the face of goal. At the other end, Sean Boyd leapt highest to connect with Harry Wood's corner and nodded narrowly over. Wood was then unable to keep his effort on target, before Brian Maher made a crucial interception to deny John Martin tapping home Boyd's header from close range. Hayden Cann's strike from distance was blocked by Patrick Barrett in the closing stages of a lacklustre first half. Just after the restart Sadou Diallo's effort was palmed away by Conor Kearns before Boyd sent a right-footed shot wide. Maher was nearly penalised for a mistake in the 54th minute after the Derry stopper advanced from his line to try and collect a long ball and missed, but Sam Todd was able to clear Evan Caffrey's chance from under the crossbar. Tiernan Lynch's men went straight down the other end and broke the deadlock with Duffy cutting in from the right wing before sending a strong shot into the top left-hand corner, leaving Kearns with no chance. Half-time substitute Alistair Coote looked dangerous for Shelbourne, but the Derry defence were able to deal with any threat created. In the final 10 minutes of the game, the home fans appealed that a cross into the box struck the hand of Todd. However, referee Neil Doyle waved the gesticulations away. The Candystripes return to action and are in Dublin once again on Monday when they travel to face St Patrick's Athletic.
Derry City end winless run with Shelbourne win
TruthLens AI Suggested Headline:
"Derry City Claims 1-0 Victory Over Shelbourne to End Winless Streak"
Bbc News
8.4
TruthLens AI Summary
Derry City secured a vital 1-0 victory against Shelbourne at Tolka Park, marking the end of their four-game winless streak in the League of Ireland Premier Division. Michael Duffy was the hero of the match, scoring the only goal in the 55th minute with an impressive strike from the edge of the box. This win not only propelled Derry City up to fourth place in the league standings but also represented their first league victory at Tolka Park in over two years. The match was intense, with both teams having their share of scoring opportunities. Early on, Liam Boyce came close to giving Derry the lead with a shot that just missed the target, and he later had another chance that went across the goal but did not find the back of the net. Shelbourne also pressed, with Sean Boyd nearly converting a corner and Brian Maher making a crucial save to keep the score level at halftime.
The second half saw a shift in momentum as Derry City pressed for the breakthrough. Just after the restart, Derry's Sadou Diallo had an effort saved, and although Shelbourne's Alistair Coote posed a threat after coming on as a substitute, the Derry defense remained resolute. The decisive moment came when Duffy cut in from the right wing and unleashed a powerful shot into the top left corner, leaving Shelbourne's goalkeeper, Conor Kearns, with no chance to respond. As the match drew to a close, Shelbourne mounted pressure in search of an equalizer, prompting appeals from their fans for a handball in the box, but the referee waved the claims away. Derry City will look to build on this momentum as they prepare for their next match against St. Patrick's Athletic in Dublin on Monday.
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