SHELBOURNE 0 DERRY CITY 1
PATRICK McEleney's return home from Dundalk added to growing optimism in Derry that their team is ready to challenge for the title.
McEleney knows what it takes to win the League, having won it three times at Oriel Park.
And here at Tolka Park the 29-year-old was in the right place in the 73rd minute to steer Shels keeper Lewis Webb's save into the net. His goal moves the Candystripes to the summit.
Still very early days, obviously, and Ruaidhri Higgins will have seen little here to alter his prediction that it could be too soon for a sustained challenge.
This was a low-key affair, with Derry equal parts frustrated by Damien Duff's Shels and by themselves. After Monday's scoreless draw with Sligo, they'll gratefully take the three points.
For Duff, after four points from their last two games, there were positives in the performance of targetman Sean Boyd and a fighting performance to the end that had the visitors rocking.
Ultimately, losing Jack Moylan and Mark Coyle to injury on either side of the break dealt a serious double blow to the Reds.
Webb twice gave the ball away to Derry players in the first five minutes, but neither McEleney nor Joe Thomson could capitalise on the gifts but Duff let out a roar at Webb after the second incident. It didn't happen again.
Mind you, the experienced Daniel Lafferty handed a present to Moylan soon after, sweeping a loose pass from the left flank inside the Derry half into the middle. Moylan wasn't alert enough to take advantage.
Derry were on top but were guilty of over-elaboration and had to wait until the 21st minute to carve out their first real chance.
Jamie McGonigle, the hero against Shamrock Rovers a week earlier, latched onto Eoin Toal's long ball and easily turned Luke Byrne only to show no composure with a shot that was low and comfortable for Webb to save.
The visitors threatened again when Brandon Kavanagh showed nice control and should have shot himself instead of unselfishly crossing for McGonigle, who couldn't reach.
Shels stretched the Foylesiders' rearguard in the 35th minute with a neat move involving Brian McManus and Boyd that released Moylan, who charged on before his shot clipped a Derry leg and earned the Reds a corner.
McManus took it and, in a crowded area, City keeper Brian Maher dropped the ball, but Shels had no-one on hand to shoot home.
The hosts then lost Moylan to a hamstring injury, with former Derry academy and Arsenal youngster Jordan McEneff replacing him.
Shels had the better of it after the restart but Derry threatened when Lafferty met McEleney's corner with a firm header. Boyd's chest averted the danger.
In response, Boyd turned well in the Derry box and his powerful shot deflected over. At the other end, Kavanagh looked for McGonigle again and the striker fired over.
Stalemate looked on the cards until 17 minutes from time, when Derry sub Matty Smith's cross was met by Ronan Boyce.
Webb saved, but McEleney stabbed it first-time into the empty net. Not the greatest of shots, but he'll take it for his first goal since his return to the club.
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