Ex-Hull City starlet writes his name in club history with title-winning moment

Former Hull City youngster Harry Wood etched himself into Shelbourne folklore on Friday night when he scored what turned out to be a historic goal.

Wood came off the bench to net the winner at Derry City in the closing stages and secure the league title for Shels, their first since 2006 and reward for boss Damien Duff.

The Leeds-born midfielder, who came through City’s academy and joined the Shels on a permanent deal in July, claimed the league title after tapping in when Sean Boyd’s free-kick came back off Derry’s goalkeeper and into his path for him to prod home five minutes from time.

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Wood, who will likely be reprimanded for his celebrations after taking off his shirt amid the glory, admits he couldn’t help but celebrate in front of the home supporters after the stick he was given throughout the game.

"I was warming up, and I was getting a lot of rubbish from the Derry fans,” Wood explained. “So I thought as soon as I come on I’ll try and make an impact. It’s not just for the team but obviously to prove people wrong and as soon as I scored I had a bit of anger towards them [Derry fans] so I went over to them.”

Duff, who had Will Jarvis on loan earlier in the season before he was recalled by the Tigers at the start of the season, hailed the moment as the pinnacle of his career.

"I've openly said the last few weeks would be the pinnacle of my professional career and this absolutely wipes the floor with the rest of it," the former Newcastle United, Chelsea and Blackburn Rovers winger told RTE.

"Commiserations to Stephen [Bradley], it was a two-horse race tonight, But obviously Ruaidhrí [Higgins] and a couple more [were in contention]. But I think we were worthy winners tonight, there was a real flatness around the ground, so bizarrely, it was probably a good game to have.

"We totally deserved to win the league and the best team is the winner, I think we can openly say we were the best team. We've always been told since they got here three years ago, ‘you're not good enough’, ‘you'll never win it’, you're this, you're that.

"If you put your mind to anything, and you work hard and you dedicate your life to it, you can do anything you want. That's what my players have done. Maybe I've grown as a manager. I remember two years ago, the cup final against Derry, I was working 24 seven doing this, doing that.

"Last night, I went out for a glass of wine with my wife. I guess I'm relaxed and it's, I always think that the players mirror how I am. So that's helped. But to come up here to the Brandywell, to Derry City, who are a wonderful team, wonderful players, wonderful manager.

"You talk about Leicester City a few years back and Hollywood stories. This is Hollywood and no disrespect all the great managers and players that have won titles before, but for me, this is the greatest story."