Shelbourne were crowned Premier Division champions in dramatic circumstances thanks to Harry Wood’s late goal at the Brandywell.
The second half substitute came off the bench to score the goal his team desperately needed with just six minutes left of an absorbing contest on the final night of the League season.
With Shamrock Rovers leading Waterford at Tallaght, it was all or nothing for Damien Duff and his players and, with time running out, Wood pounced to score the rebound from Sean Boyd’s free kick to earn his place in club folklore as Shels ended an 18-year wait for a league title.
Just as news filtered through from Tallaght that Shamrock Rovers had taken the lead through Johnny Kenny early in the first half, Shelbourne came close to falling a goal behind when Michael Duffy’s free kick into a crowded area found Ronan Boyce completely unmarked. Fortunately for Damien Duff and his players, Boyce, without a goal since March, headed badly wide with just Conor Kearns to beat.
Every chance counted for Shels on a huge night for the club and the moment the travelling fans craved almost arrived 17 minutes in. Sean Boyd sent Liam Burt racing into the City area with a clever flick and the midfielder bore down on goal before shooting past Brian Maher but across goal and wide.
After six successive draws between the sides, it was no surprise to anyone that the score was tied at half-time, but with Rovers set to be crowned champions as things stood, the visitors needed to do a lot more than their first half offered.
Shelbourne had the chance to get the goal they needed just two minutes after the restart. Duncan Idehen misjudged the bounce of the ball completely and that let Sean Boyd in on goal. The striker bore down on goal from the right and went for power but his effort was straight at Maher, who produced a big save at a big moment.
It was all about moments now and with news coming through of a second Rovers goal at Tallaght, Shels hearts were in their throats on 56 minutes when Boyce did well to dig out a cross and Mullen smashed a header against the crossbar with Kearns beaten.
Duff made two changes on the hour mark and one, Ali Coote, was involved immediately, brought down by Mark Connolly right on the edge of the area, but referee Paul McLaughlin played the advantage and Rayhaan Tulloch bobbled a shot just wide.
It was not just half chances but real chances falling Shelbourne’s way, and another came their way on 70 minutes when Coote set up Sean Gannon running in at the back post, but the full-back went for a side-footed finish and it was comfortable for Maher.
Shels had a real claim for a penalty with just 14 minutes remaining when Connolly challenged Coote in the area, but referee McLaughlin waved play on, much to the fury of Duff on the sidelines.
Nevertheless, the decision to put Coote into the game was making a real difference with the midfielder then sending a superbly hit volley just wide with Maher scrambling across his goal.
The game-defining moment came on 84 minutes when Shels were awarded a free kick right on the edge of the Derry penalty area. Sean Boyd’s drilled effort took a deflection off the wall and forced Maher into a brilliant save, but the Derry goalkeeper was out of luck as the rebound fell to substitute Wood, who fired the ball back into the net to spark wild celebrations among the visiting supporters, players and manager Duff.
Derry City: Maher, Boyce, Connolly, Wisdom, Idehen (S McEleney 74), O’Reilly, Diallo (Davenport 74), McMullan (Robertson 74), Duffy, Mullen, Whelan (Patching 65).
Shelbourne: Kearns, Gannon, Wilson, Lunney, Coyle (Caffrey 60), Boyd, Martin (Griffin 89), Barrett, Burt (Coote 60), Tulloch (Wood 74).
Referee: Paul McLaughlin