Hoops' sluggish start continues as Derry take spoils

Shamrock Rovers suffered their first home defeat in the league since May 2021 as their sluggish start to the season continued with a 2-1 loss to Derry City in an absorbing contest.

It all seemed so unlikely early on, with the champions, on home turf for the first time in 2023 in front of a 7,626 strong crowd, appearing to have shrugged off their early season ennui.

With Farrugia and Clarke raiding continually down either flank, the home side largely dominated the opening '45.

The first clear shot at goal fell to Watts after fine work by the Farrugia down the right flank. The ball pinballed around the edge of the box before falling to Watts, who fired a shot on the swivel, dragging it harmlessly wide.

While exuberant in attack, the hosts were badly hobbled by the absence of their three starting centre-halves, Roberto Lopes, Lee Grace and Dan Cleary all seeing red in the opening two weekends. Back in Tallaght, it showed.

On 18 minutes, having been more or less crouched in their own final third until then, Derry hit the front. It began with a Jack Byrne corner. A skied headed clearance at the near post was helped on by Irish U21 international Ollie O'Neill as far as Will Patching.

The midfielder coolly controlled on his chest and volleyed a pass through the gap in the Rovers centre-halves, perfectly angled for Ben Doherty to race onto.

Steaming onto possession on halfway, Doherty still had plenty of work left, outpacing O'Neill on his tail, scampering into the box and coolly slotting the ball past Mannus into the far corner.

The lead was only to last nine minutes,

Sadou Diallo was stripped of possession by Gary O'Neill, who burst forward. The makeshift centre half was shunted to the deck, the visiting players hesitating momentarily