Derry City ... 3 Shamrock Rovers ... 0Derry City ended Shamrock Rovers' four-match unbeaten run at the Brandywell last night with an impressive display.
And it could get much worse for Damian Richardson's side if St Patrick's Athletic overcome Bray at Inchicore tonight, as Rovers would then drop to third spot.
In fact the defeat was Rovers' heaviest over the past two years, while the win for Derry ends any fears of relegation.
The home side broke the deadlock in the 40th minute when a Gareth McGlynn shot struck the arm of Pat Scully and referee John Stacey immediately pointed to the spot.
Striker Liam Coyle confidently drove the spot kick home, giving Tony O'Dowd no chance.
And Derry compounded Rovers' woes within a minute of the second half when they doubled their lead.
A superb cross by Darren McCready was magnificently glanced to the net by home skipper Eamonn Doherty to bring the Brandywell to life.
Derry continued to cruise forward and they ended this match as a contest following a superb strike in the 69th minute .
Substitute Floyd Gilmore sent McGlynn scampering clear and the 19-year old produced a magnificent chip over the head of O'Dowd from 18 yards.
DERRY CITY: Payne; McLaughlin, Kelly, McCallion, Hargan; Beckett, Doherty, McGlynn, McCready; Hughes, Coyle. Subs: Gilmore for Coyle (60 mins); McBride for Hargan (84 mins); McCaul for Doherty (90 mins).
SHAMROCK ROVERS: O'Dowd; Deans, Palmer, Scully, Byrne; Robinson, Colwell, Treacy, Woods; T Grant, S Grant. Subs: Cousins for T Grant (49 mins); Cronin for Byrne (77 mins).
Referee: J Stacey (Athlone)
The following suspensions were announced by the league this week: Tom Burke of Sligo Rovers and Conor Frawley of Athlone Town suspended for one match and fined €25; Mark Quinless of Drogheda United and Alan Bennett of Cork City suspended for one game and fined €51; Drogheda United manager Harry McCue banned for two games and fined €254; Waterford United manager Jimmy McGeough and Patsy Freyne, assistant manager of Cork City, fined €127.
