The Shelbourne renaissance continued apace as they beat Derry City in atrocious conditions at Tolka Park on Saturday. Dermot Keely's side showed signs of their old selves while retaining the work-rate they've adopted in recent games to deservedly win thanks to two superbly contrived and executed goals.

"The penny has dropped," said Keely. "We're physically more committed and better organised and not giving so much away. We're soft touches no more."

The atrocious conditions of swirling gales and lashing rain created problems for both sides. But though the game was a lottery, there was much good football to entertain the small crowd.

There were chances at both ends early on. Stephen Geoghegan prevented a header from his team-mate, Tony McCarthy, from crossing the Derry line, while Shelbourne's debutant goalkeeper, Danny O'Leary, made a superb save after some typically mercurial play by Liam Coyle.

As with all three of their goals the previous week, Shelbourne took the lead on 41 minutes with a stunning counter-attacking strike.

McCarthy's clearance sent Dessie Baker racing away up the left and Pat Fenlon got on the end of his precise cross to chest the ball down before drilling it low past David Platt.

Shelbourne's second goal on 66 minutes also stemmed from a lightning attack that tore the Derry defence apart. This time Richie Baker found Tony Sheridan with a sublime ball. Sheridan skipped round a defender before scoring at the second attempt after Platt had blocked his first shot.

Shelbourne: O'Leary; Costello, Scully, McCarthy, Heary; D Baker, Doolin, Fenlon, R Baker; Sheridan, S Geoghegan.

Derry City: Platt; D Kelly, Gauld, Curran; Hutton, McCreadie, Hegarty, McCann, Hargan; McHugh, L Coyle. Subs: M Kelly for Hegarty (inj half-time).

Referee: R O'Hanlon (Waterford).