Michael Duffy opened the score for Derry City
The worthy win has moved City up to fifth place in the SSE Airtricty Premier Division
Michael Duffy opened the scoring inside 15 minutes with a controlled finish.
Liam Boyce pounced to double Derry’s lead just after half an hour.
The Candystripes saw out the victory comfortably in the second period as reigning champions Shels failed to threaten a comeback.
A disappointing defeat at Waterford last Friday night, after back-to-back victories, perhaps typified Derry’s start to life under Tiernan Lynch.
Even still the Candystripes came into the match with the champions just three points off top spot and Lynch spoke in the week of this being the ideal game to put things right.
The home side started brightly and were ahead inside a quarter of an hour when Duffy arrived at the back post to meet Shane Ferguson’s beautifully flighted cross and slammed home his sixth goal of the season.
Shels made the trip to the Brandywell off the back of three successive draws, but their chances of restoring parity quickly dwindled.
An error at the back allowed Boyce to tighten the Candystripes’ grip and he made no mistake as the hosts went in at half-time 2-0 in front.
Damien Duff’s men clinched the title on the final day of last season during their last visit to the Brandywell, but a revival after the break never seemed on the cards.
Instead, City managed the game through to seal their third win in four on home soil.
Next up for Derry is a home game against table toppers St. Patrick’s Athletic on Bank Holiday Monday, May 5.
Derry City: Brian Maher, Hayden Cann, Mark Connolly, Kevin Holt; Ronan Boyce, Carl Winchester, Adam O’Reilly, Shane Ferguson (Sam Todd 60); Gavin Whyte (Robbie Benson 60), Liam Boyce (Daniel Mullen 67), Michael Duffy (Paul McMullan 67).
Shelbourne: Conor Kearns, Sean Gannon, Sam Bone (Tyreke Wilson 65), Kameron Ledwidge, James Norris (Ryan O’Kane 71); JJ Lunney, Kerr McInroy (John Martin HT), Ellis Chapman; Evan Caffrey (John O’Sullivan 71), Mipo Odubeko, Ali Coote (Harry Wood 65).
Referee: Rob Hennessy (Dublin).
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