Rovers left floored by McGonigle's last-gasp winner

Jamie McGonigle's stunning 95th minute winner was enough for Derry City to see off champions Shamrock Rovers in dramatic fashion at the Brandywell.

The ex-Coleraine man’s stunning stoppage time goal sealed the hard-fought victory, which unfortunately was marred by some trouble caused by some supporters that ran onto the pitch after Dylan Watts had initially cancelled out Will Patching’s penalty for the home side.

Derry goalkeeper Brian Maher was called into action 18 minutes as Jack Byrne’s tremendous pass found Rory Gaffney and after getting away from Eoin Toal, the striker’s well-hit drive from 10 yards was superbly kept out by the Ireland U21 international.

Full-time: Derry City 2-1 Shamrock Rovers - Jamie McGonigle wins it for Derry deep in injury time after pouncing on a Roberto Lopes mistake. #RTESoccer pic.twitter.com/uP6qiPKNHd

Derry’s fans thought they had taken the lead a minute as Brandon Kavangh’s inswinging corner from the right found Danny Lafferty at the back post, but the defender’s header hit the side netting.

The home side continued to play on the front foot and a clever through ball by Kavanagh found Jamie McGonigle, but his goalbound curling effort from 12 yards was superbly blocked by a diving Roberto Lopes.

Soon after a lovely piece of skill by Patching saw him nutmeg Richie Towell, before his cross into the six-yard box was just in front of an in-coming James Akintunde.

Just before the interval, a mis-timed Toal header inside his own penalty box only found Danny Mandroiu, but his stunning overhead kick was kept out by a diving Maher. Derry took the lead on 54 minutes as Patching made no mistake from the penalty spot, after Byrne had bundled McGonigle to the ground, after a well worked free-kick move