Burke’s wonder goal inspires Rovers
A GOAL-OF-THE-SEASON contender from Graham Burke condemned Derry City to another week rooted to the bottom of the Premier Division as Shamrock Rovers ran out comfortable 2-0 winners at the Ryan McBride Brandywell last night. The Hoops’ bid to retain their league title cranked up another gear here after Burke’s wondrous effort from the halfway line followed shortly after Rory Gaffney broke the deadlock. It was Derry who started brightest, and they almost reaped the rewards when David Parkhouse intercepted Sean Hoare’s header back to goalkeeper Alan Mannus but hit the outside of the post.
Burke was lively all game and was instrumental in Rovers’ opener. Some good first-touch play on the Hoops’ right flank sent Dylan Watts free. He cut back to Burke whose shot was well saved by Gartside but Gaffney was on hand to slot in the follow-up. The game’s moment of magic would come just five minutes later, Burke taking possession in his own half, holding off two Derry defenders and earning himself enough space to lift his head and spot Gartside loitering off his line. The shot from just inside the Candystripes’ half followed a ballistic arc as it fell with an explosion of green and white cheers over a scrambling Gartside. There won’t be a better one this season. Burke was again to the fore after the interval when another long-range strike proved too hot to handle for Gartside, who gathered at the second attempt.