James Clarke nets historic winner against Shamrock Rovers as Derry City begin new era at Celtic Park

JAMES Clarke’s name will go down in the Derry City history books as the first soccer player to score at Find Insurance Celtic Park in over 80 years as the Brandywell club began a new chapter at the home of Derry GAA with a memorable victory over Shamrock Rovers.

The Meath man scored his third goal in five games in the 26th minute of the first League of Ireland match played at the venue as 7,104 flocked into the old ground which hadn't witnessed a soccer match since 1943.

The Candy Stripes settled well into their temporary home just 400 yards up the road from their traditional base on Lone Moor Road which is putting the finishing touches to its state-of-the-art £1.4million hybrid pitch set to be ready before the end of June.

Until then Derry can be delighted that Celtic Park can host their next four matches after what was a huge success both on and off the pitch and no doubt supporters will continue to come in their droves after this unforgettable result which knocked Rovers off their perch.

It was new ground for the club, which has strengthened its relationship with its GAA neighbours over the past two years by negotiating the rental of Derry GAA's Centre of Excellence in Owenbeg as its training base and now ground-sharing at Celtic Park has proven beneficial to everyone involved. In forging ahead the club hasn't forgotten its past, giving a nostalgic nod to late former captain Ryan McBride and record goalscorer Mark Farren with giant Tifo banners displayed on the College Field Terrace end of the ground.

The venue, which dates back to the late 19th century, was originally developed as a soccer ground and hosted its first soccer match in October 1894. It was sold to the GAA for £1,000 in September 1943 and Friday night marked a truly historic occasion for both codes.

It was an occasion three months in the making for Derry City and they showcased it well in front of the Virgin Media cameras.

The extra space at the venue allowed the club to offer reduced ticket pricing - the cheapest in the League of Ireland - at £10 for the Bluebell Terrace End and family packages.

A Fan Zone featuring a beer truck, face painting and live music generated a real buzz before kick-off. The teams then came out to the pitch to a pyrotechnics display and flame projectors as Derry's anthem, "Teenage Kicks," blasted over the tannoy system.

The bobbly pitch that hosted Derry's Ulster Senior Championship win over Antrim last weekend didn't give much hope for a football game worthy of the occasion but it mattered little as Clarke's first half strike ensured Derry's biggest home attendance in over 30 years went home happy.

It was a second consecutive victory for Derry and just a third win on Foyleside this season as they ended Rovers' three match winning run and knocked them off top spot as St Pat’s took charge of the table.

Tiernan Lynch made two changes from the team that won at Tolka Park last weekend: Darragh Markey and James Olayinka replaced Ben Doherty and Conor Barr as Derry opted for a 4-5-1 formation.

Stephen Bradley also made two changes from their Dublin derby win over Bohemians, replacing Aaron Greene and Enda Stevens with Graham Burke and Danny Grant as the Hoops went in search of a fourth win on the bounce. Derry started brightly but couldn't capitalise on two well positioned free-kicks from wide on the left side. Rovers almost broke the deadlock at six minutes when Jack Byrne picked out Greene's run into the box with a searching pass from deep but the striker directed his shot wide of the far post. Former Rovers fullback Barry Cotter skilfully skipped past two defenders in the middle of the park but his eventual strike on goal from 20 yards failed to trouble Ed McGinty. John O'Sullivan rattled a stunning volley off the Derry crossbar from 30 yards in the 21st minute with Rovers’ best moment in the match. Derry scored first in the 26th minute from a corner kick that broke toward the back post. Brandon Fleming miskicked his effort and Patrick McClean got his toe to it as it bobbled towards the back post where Clarke showed composure and gleefully fired into the bottom corner, writing his name in the history books as the first Derry player to score at Celtic Park. It was the Meath man's third goal in his last five matches. Clarke brilliantly drifted behind the Rovers defence and pulled the ball back to Thomas but Jake Mulraney blocked his first-time strike inside the six-yard box. Derry finished the half strongest and from Fleming's inswinging free-kick Thomas flicked it on and Clarke's close range header went over the crossbar. Thomas was brought down 20 yards from the Rovers' goal seven minutes into the second half by Tunmise Sobowale. O'Reilly's curling free-kick appeared destined for the back of the net but somehow McGinty produced a stunning save, turning it away from under the crossbar. Derry came close once again on the hour mark when Cotter crossed deep toward Clarke at the back post but his header deflected off Cleary and went behind for a corner. Greene turned well onto his left foot 25 yards from the Derry goal with 10 minutes remaining but fired high and wide as Rovers continued to be frustrated.

Seven minutes of stoppage time were signalled, and Beach smartly turned behind Graham Burke's strike from a narrow angle after a quick throw-in.

Lopes headed narrowly over the crossbar in the dying seconds of the match as Cleary flicked on Burke's cross.

At the other end Derry sub Henry Rylah tried his luck from just outside the box but McGinty saved comfortably.

There was a scramble in a packed Derry goalmouth as the clock ticked down but the home side defended resolutely, celebrating back-to-back wins and a memorable night at their adopted home.

Derry City: Beach; Cotter [Barr 83], Stott, McClean, Fleming [Doherty 76]; Olayinka [Akinyemi 65], O'Reilly, Winchester; Markey, Clarke; Thomas [Rylah 83]. Shamrock Rovers: McGinty; Stevens [McGovern 76], Lopes, Sobowale [Cleary 59], C. O'Sullivan [Asamoah 59], J. O'Sullivan [Burke 60], Byrne, Ozhianvuna, Mulraney [Brennan 60] Greene, Noonan. Referee - Neil Doyle [Dublin]