Shamrock Rovers 2 Derry City 0

Second-half goals from Ronan Finn and Dean Kelly ensured that new Shamrock Rovers manager Pat Fenlon enjoyed a winning start to his reign at Tallaght Stadium.

That outcome didn’t initially look likely though because Derry dominated for the first 45 minutes before Rovers came out fighting in the second half.

The visitors looked more comfortable and livelier from the first whistle. They had plenty of early chances with the pick of them coming on 13 minutes when Patrick McEleney hooked a brilliant shot on target only to see Rovers goalkeeper Barry Murphy pull off a brilliant save to turn the ball around his right hand post.

Kelly had a chance to open the scoring for Rovers on 37 minutes when he rose well at the far post to meet a deep cross from Ronan Finn but headed wide.

Michael Duffy then had two decent chances at the other end for Derry but missed the target on both occasions.

On 39 minutes he shot wide before sending a glancing header wide a minute later.

Duffy went close again on 45 minutes with a shot that flashed over the bar.

Duffy twice fired straight at Murphy within 60 seconds before Rovers’ Finn nodded in at the far post after Kelly had helped on a cross Kieran Waters on 61 minutes.

Finn then turned provider on 69 minutes with a perfect cross for Kelly who headed home to seal the win.

SHAMROCK ROVERS: Murphy; Madden, Kenna, McGuinness, Byrne; Waters (Sheppard 65 mins), Brennan, Robinson, Finn (Bayly 73 mins), McCabe (O'Connor 87 mins); Kelly.

DERRY CITY: Doherty; Ventre, McBride, Barry, Timlin (Jarvis 80 mins); Dooley, McNamee, McEleney (Curran 75 mins), Lowry, Duffy; Patterson (Tracey 86 mins).

Referee: D McKeon (Dublin)