Carr in the right place at right time

SHAMROCK ROVERS strengthened their claims for Europa League football with this slender victory over Derry City at the Brandywell.

Stephen Bradley’s men now move into third spot in the table, while Derry will be left to play out a frustrating campaign.

Kenny Shiels’ men could have easily led here 2-0 at the break, but with wing-backs Jamie McDonagh and Kevin McHattie reguarly supplying the ammunition, Derry lacked a competent striker to take advantage in front of goal.

However, as always seems to be the case, Rovers took advantage of slack defensive play in the 63rd minute and Derry failed to respond.

A double substitution by the visitors in the 57th minute freshened things up and within six minutes, one of those subs, Dan Carr, found himself in the right place at the right time to tap in from close range. Derry city: Doherty; McDonagh, Toal, Cole, McHattie; McEneff, Splaine; Delap (Peers, 82), Rory Hale (Low, 73), Roy; Ronan Hale. Shamrock roverS: Mannus; Boyle, Grace, Lopes, Kavanagh; Bolger, Finn; Kavanagh (Coustrain, 57), Watts (Bone, 84), Miele (Carr, 57); Greene. referee: D Tomney (Dublin).