Derry City 2-1 Shamrock Rovers
Jamie McGonigle lit up a packed Brandywell last night with a winner deep into injury-time against champions Shamrock Rovers.
The 25-year-old pounced on a Roberto Lopes gaffe to send the home fans wild with delight and send the Hoops home in no doubt that they have a fight on their hands in their bid for three-in-a-row.
Some of Ruaidhri Higgins’ close-season signings impressed, including Will Patching, who opened the scoring from the spot.
His opener was cancelled out by Dylan Watts, before McGonigle’s late, late strike.
Derry have a gem in another one of their winter additions Brandon Kavanagh, who was squeezed out of Shamrock Rovers by the Hoops’ talented, but bloated midfield pool.
Kavanagh spent last season on-loan at Bray Wanderers, where his form earned him both a place on the PFAI’s First Division Team of the Year and the attention of Candystripes boss Ruaidhri Higgins.
He coughed up a small fee to bring Kavanagh from Tallaght Stadium - and on last night’s evidence it was a bargain.
While returning Rovers midfielder Byrne produced one sumptuous through-ball, which led to Rory Gaffney bringing the best out of Ireland Under-21 goalkeeper Brian Maher, Kavanagh produced both in quantity and quality.
Moments after Danny Mandroiu sent a glorious second minute chance high over the bar at one end, Kavanagh sent Joe McGonigle racing into the area at the other.
Only for returning African Cup of Nations hero Roberto Lopes’ brilliant interception, McGonigle would surely have added to his opening night goal against Dundalk.
Kavanagh’s set-pieces were also a major threat. His corners were given extra whip by the strong wind that swept down the Brandywell pitch.
Two back-post deliveries were met by Derry heads - the first by Eoin Toal, who nodded wide, and the second by the unmarked Daniel Lafferty. He hit the side-netting.
Kavanagh sent McGonigle scampering into the Rovers area again on 24 minutes, but once again Lopes triumphed in his battle with the 25-year-old Derry striker with a precision challenge.
There was plenty more to warm the Derry support on a cold, blustery night.
Will Patching reached into his bag of tricks shortly after the half-hour mark. He nutmegged Richie Towell on Derry’s left flank and whipped the ball across the face of goal.
James Akintunde connected but couldn’t steer the ball on-target.
It wasn’t all one-way traffic, however, and moments before half-time Mandroiu was denied a spectacular 18-yard overhead kick by Maher, who pushed the ball around his post.
Rovers started well after the break and almost went in front twice inside the early stages.
Rory Gaffney’s flick header from Barry Cotter’s long throw was directed straight at Maher, while Mandroiu’s back-post header was blocked by his own teammate Lee Grace.
Derry took the lead on 55 minutes when McGonigle raced onto another Kavanagh pass and was sent tumbling to the ground by Ireland midfielder Byrne.
It was a clumsy challenge by the Dubliner and one that gave referee Rob Hennessy no option but to point to the spot.
Patching made no mistake, calmly sending Mannus the wrong way and the ball inside the right-hand upright.
Hoops boss Stephen Bradley reacted by making a triple-substitution - and it wasn’t long before one of those replacements made his presence count.
Gary O’Neill was fouled on the edge of the area by Ciaron Harkin and Watts, fresh from the bench, wrapped his foot around the free-kick and curled the ball inside the right-hand post.
Watts’ 74th minute equaliser led to a mini-pitch invasion from the visiting support, but the last laugh was had by the capacity home crowd.
Lopes had been outstanding up to the closing moments of stoppage time when he botched an attempted back-pass towards Mannus.
McGonigle intercepted, but still had plenty of work to do, as he raced towards goal with two defenders on his tail.
He cut inside and onto his left foot, before firing the ball high into the roof of the net from 18 yards.
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