DERRY CITY PRODUCED a five star show at Brandywell to keep alive their 2014 season as the Candystripes cruised into the semi-finals of the FAI Cup.
An understrength Drogheda United who were minus FIVE first team regulars through suspension, just couldn’t handle the attacking prowess of the city forwards in this quarter-final replay.
A stunning first half strike from man of the match Patrick McEleney put Derry in the driving seat and a Rory Patterson brace, a well-taken Michael Duffy finish and a wicked deflection from Patterson’s last minute free-kick, ensured comfortable passage into the last four.
Hutton’s side were unchanged from last Friday night’s drawn game but Damien Richardson was forced into making five alterations to his starting line-up with club captain Shane Grimes and midfielders Peter McGlynn, Gavin Brennan and Gavin Holohan all suspended.
Suspended City boss Hutton watched from the stand as his side got off to a dream start thanks to that stunning strike from McEleney after just six minutes.
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From a well-worked corner kick, the ball found its way to McEleney lurking on the edge of the area and he rifled the ball into the far corner of the net with a powerful left-foot strike.
At this rate McEleney, who took his season’s tally to nine goals, could almost compile a goal of the season competition of his own.
The home lot grew in confidence and almost doubled their lead on 22 minutes when Patterson chased down McNamee’s cross and laid it into the path of Stephen Dooley. However, the winger’s shot on the turn went just wide of the post.
Three minutes before the break McEleney’s corner kick was cleared toward the edge of the penalty area and Barry McNamee’s low volley was deflected behind as City continued to press.
Michael Duffy then found himself through on goal but his low shot was saved well by Michael Schlingerman on 54 minutes.
Dooley made a lung bursting run into the Drogheda box on the hour mark before slotting the ball through to Patterson and the striker’s shot from an acute angle nestled into the net to settle the growing tension at Brandywell.
Five minutes later and Barry Molloy, who was deployed in the right back role once again, screwed his left footed shot from a promising position wide of the post after McNamee found him with a first-time cross.
Michael Duffy and Daire Boyle. Lorcan Doherty
Lorcan Doherty
City sealed the win on 70 minutes when Patterson won the ball back deep inside his own half and when McEleney sent Duffy scampering clear on goal, the winger cooly curled his shot across goal and into the corner of the net.
Duffy’s curling effort struck the crossbar as the visiting defence began to fall apart before Patterson added his second of the night after linking up superbly with Duffy before steering his volley into the corner on 81 minutes.
The ball found its way into the Drogheda net for a fifth and final time on 89 minutes when Patterson’s long distance free-kick too a deflection off the wall and it wrong-footed Schlingerman and crept into the corner of the net.
Candystripes hammer Drogs to stroll into FAI Cup semi-finals
Derry City 5-0 Drogheda United
DERRY CITY PRODUCED a five star show at Brandywell to keep alive their 2014 season as the Candystripes cruised into the semi-finals of the FAI Cup.
An understrength Drogheda United who were minus FIVE first team regulars through suspension, just couldn’t handle the attacking prowess of the city forwards in this quarter-final replay.
A stunning first half strike from man of the match Patrick McEleney put Derry in the driving seat and a Rory Patterson brace, a well-taken Michael Duffy finish and a wicked deflection from Patterson’s last minute free-kick, ensured comfortable passage into the last four.
Hutton’s side were unchanged from last Friday night’s drawn game but Damien Richardson was forced into making five alterations to his starting line-up with club captain Shane Grimes and midfielders Peter McGlynn, Gavin Brennan and Gavin Holohan all suspended.
Suspended City boss Hutton watched from the stand as his side got off to a dream start thanks to that stunning strike from McEleney after just six minutes.
From a well-worked corner kick, the ball found its way to McEleney lurking on the edge of the area and he rifled the ball into the far corner of the net with a powerful left-foot strike.
The home lot grew in confidence and almost doubled their lead on 22 minutes when Patterson chased down McNamee’s cross and laid it into the path of Stephen Dooley. However, the winger’s shot on the turn went just wide of the post.
Three minutes before the break McEleney’s corner kick was cleared toward the edge of the penalty area and Barry McNamee’s low volley was deflected behind as City continued to press.
Michael Duffy then found himself through on goal but his low shot was saved well by Michael Schlingerman on 54 minutes.
Dooley made a lung bursting run into the Drogheda box on the hour mark before slotting the ball through to Patterson and the striker’s shot from an acute angle nestled into the net to settle the growing tension at Brandywell.
Five minutes later and Barry Molloy, who was deployed in the right back role once again, screwed his left footed shot from a promising position wide of the post after McNamee found him with a first-time cross.
City sealed the win on 70 minutes when Patterson won the ball back deep inside his own half and when McEleney sent Duffy scampering clear on goal, the winger cooly curled his shot across goal and into the corner of the net.
Duffy’s curling effort struck the crossbar as the visiting defence began to fall apart before Patterson added his second of the night after linking up superbly with Duffy before steering his volley into the corner on 81 minutes.
The ball found its way into the Drogheda net for a fifth and final time on 89 minutes when Patterson’s long distance free-kick too a deflection off the wall and it wrong-footed Schlingerman and crept into the corner of the net.
DERRY CITY: Doherty; Jarvis, McBride, Barry, Molloy (Timlin, 79); Dooley, Lowry (Houston, 86), McNamee, Duffy; P McEleney (Tracey, 88), Patterson.
DROGHEDA UNITED: Schlingerman; Doyle, McNally, McGuigan, Kierans; Brady (Reilly, 83), Maher (Andrews, 81), Brady (Wixted, 74), Crowley, Walshe; O’Brien.
Referee – Tomas Connolly (Dublin).
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Colin Falvey’s football career has brought him from Cobh to India via New Zealand and the US
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All-Ireland Senior HC cup run FAI Cup Last Four Match Report Derry City Drogheda United