Burke’s stunning finish the highlight of convincing Rovers win against Derry
By Daire Walsh
A Rory Gaffney opener and a Graham Burke wonder goal guided Shamrock Rovers towards a convincing 2-0 triumph over Derry City in an SSE Airtricity League Premier Division clash at the Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium this evening.
A rescheduled affair, the maximum points accumulated from this game moved the defending champions up to third place in the top-flight table.
Having already drawn two of their opening three games in this year’s competition, the Hoops were eager for a return to winning ways.
St Patrick’s Athletic and Finn Harps are the early pace-setters in the league, but this was a golden opportunity for Rovers to make up ground at the summit of the table.
Gaffney came to their aid with an equalising goal against Sligo Rovers on Saturday and he was once again on the scoresheet in this encounter.
With just under 34 minutes gone on the clock, the Galway native finished off a rebound after Burke had been denied by Nathan Gartside.
Spotting that Gartside was off his line, the former Preston North End attacker superbly chipped the helpless Derry custodian from just inside the Derry half
This spectacular effort offered the visitors a 2-0 lead at the interval and while Declan Devine’s men weren’t lacking in industry, a comeback appeared well beyond the reach of their northern counterparts.
Rovers continued to threaten on the resumption with both Burke and Max Murphy going close to extending their advantage.
Gartside remained the busier of the two goalkeepers on show and he was forced to parry a Danny Mandroiu strike inside the final 10 minutes of the action.
Although a third goal didn’t arrive, it was a job well done for the Hoops ahead of their showdown with Longford Town in Tallaght on Saturday.