Advertisement League of Ireland Horse Racing TV Listings GAA Fixtures The Video Review Sport meets news, current affairs, society & pop culture Rugby Weekly Extra Dive into all the news and analysis 3 times a week The Football Family Weekly insights from the week’s big talking points Advertisement More Stories Michael Duffy celebrates his goal.Ryan Byrne/INPHO Freebig win Duffy magic has Candystripes avenging opening day defeat to Shels Last year’s champions finding themselves in a tough sport. 10.17pm, 20 Jun 2025 Share options Shelbourne 0 Derry City 1 A piece of Michael Duffy magic undid Shelbourne at Tolka Park as Derry City won for the first time in five outings to Dublin this season. Winger Duffy’s glorious second half finish was no more than Tiernan Lynch’s side deserved as they avenged their opening night defeat to the champions in Drumcondra. Shelbourne can have few complaints as Derry leapfrog them up to fourth place in the table having controlled the pattern of the game for an hour, Damien Duff’s Reds only really coming alive after they had fallen behind. In stiflingly warm conditions, with the temperature registering 24 degrees at kick-off, Shelbourne began brightly as they initially took the game to their visitors. But it was Derry who were first to threaten, and on the double at that. The first chance on eight minutes stemmed from sloppy Shels play as JJ Lunney’s pass was easily intercepted by Duffy. Advertisement That set up Liam Boyce whose attempted chip over Conor Kearns had just too much on it. A minute later Shels were stretched at the back as Gavin Whyte put Boyce in behind down the right. Kearns did enough to narrow the angle with the striker’s dink bobbling wide across goal. Shels responded with a promising opening of their own from the game’s first corner on 11 minutes. Harry Wood’s delivery was on the money for Sean Boyd who rose above everyone to plant his firm header inches over Brian Maher’s crossbar. Passing the ball well, with Sadou Diallo and Carl Winchester influential in the middle of the park, Derry began to control the game as Shels were struggling to get on the ball. Despite their possession, though, Derry weren’t really hurting Shelbourne who seemed content to sit off and play on the counter. A break for Kearns needing attention allowed Duff the opportunity to give his players a talking to on the sideline. And the reset almost brought a reward on 36 minutes as Shels carved Derry open for the only time in a frustrating first half for the home side. Wood’s cross was met by a Boyd header with Maher making a fine save in touching the ball out for a goal kick off the lurking John Martin. Duff withdrew Martin and Kerr McInroy at half-time with Mipo Odubeko and Ellis Chapman introduced in the hope of enlivening his side. It was more of the same, though, as Derry promptly regained the initiative with Kearns force into a parry save from a Whyte drive after Shels gave the ball away cheaply. A sliding doors moment then almost brought a Shelbourne goal at one end before Derry struck for a deserved lead at the other on 54 minutes. First Evan Caffrey saw his chip headed away by Sam Todd with Maher stranded after colliding with Boyd. Derry immediately broke with Winchester’s sweeping pass finding Duffy on the right. A clever step-over wronged footed Kameron Ledwidge to allow Duffy get the ball onto his left foot and find the far top corner with a sublime curling shot for his seventh goal of the season. Related Reads Rovers look to tighten grip at top as Drogheda face battles on and off pitch The great transfer gamble: Why League of Ireland clubs must not rely on add-ons for value 'He was awful, that's the worst I've seen Josh' - Shamrock Rovers star heads for Ireland duty on a low Though Shelbourne owned much of the ball for the remainder of the game, Maher scarcely had a save to make as Derry had done more than enough to take home the points. Shelbourne: Kearns; Bone, Barrett, Ledwidge; Caffrey, Lunney, McInroy (Chapman, h-t), Norris (Coote, 63); Wood (O’Sullivan, 77), Martin (Odubeko, h-t), Boyd (Kelly, 63). Derry City: Maher; Cann, Connolly, Holt; R. Boyce, Diallo (McMullan, 62), Winchester (Hoban, 89), Todd; White (Benson, 62), Duffy; L. Boyce (Mullen, 62). Referee: Neil Doyle (Dublin). Paul Buttner Viewcomments Send Tip or Correction Embed this post To embed this post, copy the code below on your site Email “Duffy magic has Candystripes avenging opening day defeat to Shels”. 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