You couldn't have written it. Derry City's first game back at The Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium and it's a last-minute winner against the league champions.
Heading into this fixture, John Dodge spoke about it being a clash of two League of Ireland favourites, with Derry behind Rovers in the bookies' lines.
Derry were probably bit better in the first half but allowed Shamrock Rovers to find their stride later on in the second. The game was scoreless after half-time.
Jack Byrne found himself in card trouble in the first forty-five minutes as he lunged in on Derry's Will Patching. A yellow was judged to be the fair call.
Derry City 0-0 Shamrock Rovers - No goals but it's getting feisty out at the Brandywell and Jack Byrne may well consider himself fortunate to still be on the pitch. Follow all the action here https://t.co/BDv118fbEs pic.twitter.com/GhcEOvHqMI
— RTÉ Soccer (@RTEsoccer) February 25, 2022
In the second half, Byrne found himself in more refereeing trouble, and unfortunately for Rovers, it resulted in a Derry City penalty.
Will Patching stepped up in a Jorginho-eqsue movement and sent keeper Alan Manus the wrong way. Derry took a deserved 1-0 lead.
Derry City 1-0 Shamrock Rovers - Will Patching gives the Candystripes the lead as he scores from the penalty spot. Follow all the action here https://t.co/RHVZNVd7a3 #RTESoccer pic.twitter.com/iTH7nplOlj
— RTÉ Soccer (@RTEsoccer) February 25, 2022
But Shamrock Rovers fought back, and they earned a free kick at the edge of the box with less than twenty minutes to go on the clock.
The Derry wall let the resulting ball creep through from the set-piece and Rovers' Dylan Watts delivered the ball into the back of the net.
Derry City 1-1 Shamrock Rovers - Dylan Watts levels things up for Rovers with a wonderfully taken free-kick. Follow the closing stages here https://t.co/RHVZNVd7a3 #RTESoccer pic.twitter.com/YxsmfHkPX8
— RTÉ Soccer (@RTEsoccer) February 25, 2022
The Brandywell Goes Wild
A few substitutions later, it looked all but sealed at The Brandywell. A draw seemed to be the faith of two of League of Ireland's top sides.
However, Derry City's Jamie McGonigle had different plans. Rovers' Roberto Lopes fumbled the ball with less than a minute to go in stoppage time.
McGonigle capitalised and strode into the Shamrock Rovers box finding some room, then sent the ball sweetly into the top corner. The roof lifted off The Brandywell.
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
— RTÉ Soccer (@RTEsoccer) February 25, 2022
That was all she wrote. Derry City end up 2-1 winners against Shamrock Rovers. It's going to make the rest of the season even more interesting.
See Also: The Resurgent Derry City Have Fans Buzzing Again
