The Brandywell Tuesday, October 2nd, 2012   Abroad Attendance: 450         Derry City 4-0 Dundalk
2012 /13

Comments :

David McDaid, Patrick McEleney, Ryan Curran and Dermot McCaffrey scored as Derry City ended their five-game losing streak in the Premier Division while extending Dundalk’s, as the Lilywhites fell to a seventh straight league loss with a 4-0 defeat at The Brandywell on Tuesday night. A much-changed Dundalk side were on the back foot from early on and Stewart Greacen went close past the quarter-hour mark but his header was cleared off the line by Stephen Maher. Gary Shanahan then shot wide for the visitors. Derry broke the deadlock on 31 minutes when McDaid connected with a cross from ex-Lilywhite Simon Madden. Full debutant Barry Conlon went close before the break, but four minutes into the second half Derry made it 2-0 through a fine individual effort from McEleney. That was a lead that the Candystripes comfortably held and they then doubled it in the final eight minutes as firstly substitute Curran fired in before McCaffrey headed home, as Dundalk’s winless run in the league was extended to 16 games. Dundalk caretaker boss Darius Kierans made five changes to the side that were humiliated by Shamrock Rovers four days earlier as Michael Rafter, Nathan Murphy, Liam Burns and Paul Walsh were all dropped, while Mark O’Brien missed out through illness. In their place were Conlon and Bob McKenna, who was handed just his second club start, while Derek Foran, Lorcan Shannon and top scorer Shanahan all returned to the starting lineup following suspension, unavailability and injury. Mark Leavy, who featured regularly for the club’s underage teams over the last two seasons, was called up to the senior squad to take his place on the bench. From the off, Derry were on the front foot and they went close after just four minutes when McCaffrey’s cross picked out McDaid who saw his effort turned away by goalkeeper Peter Cherrie. Moments later, Kevin Deery’s shot from range was down the throat of the Scot while, at the other end, McKenna’s neat touch found Shannon but his effort was well off target. On 18 minutes, only a goalline clearance from Maher denied Derry the opener after Greacen had got on the end of Barry McNamee’s corner. Shortly after, Shanahan flashed a good chance just wide from the edge of the box. From Ger Doherty’s goal-kick, the ball fell to Conlon who tried his luck from distance but the audacious effort went over the bar. Past the midway point of the half, Madden found McDaid in the box but his effort went over, before Ruaidhri Higgins shot wide on 29 minutes. But Derry did not have to wait long to break the deadlock. Madden again was the creator as he beat Eoghan Osborne and crossed for McDaid who turned it in. Madden, who captained Dundalk in all 50 of their competitive games last season, was at it again before the break when he this time found Conor Murphy who showed good control before seeing his shot deflected into the side-netting. Dundalk could have been level at half-time, though, with Shanahan seeing his blocked shot fall to Conlon who went close. Conlon threatened again from a corner after the break but from that Derry broke at pace, with Patrick McEleney racing through midfield and waited for Cherrie to commit himself before lifting the ball over him and into the net. Dundalk tried to respond and were handed a good opportunity on 58 minutes when they were awarded a free-kick just outside the box but Conlon’s effort went off target. William Woods was introduced in place of McKenna with 20 minutes remaining while Paul Walsh also entered in the final quarter-hour, but any hopes of a late revival were put to bed on 82 minutes when McNamee set up Curran who buried the ball beyond Cherrie. Another miserable night was completed in the dying seconds of the 90 when McCaffrey headed in following a free-kick. The win lifts Derry up to fifth while Dundalk will hope to bring their good cup form this season into Sunday’s semi-final against Saint Patrick’s Athletic at Oriel Park. DERRY CITY FC: Ger Doherty, Simon Madden, Stewart Greacen, Shane McEleney, Dermot McCaffrey, Patrick McEleney, Ruaidhri Higgins, Kevin Deery © (Ryan Curran 68), Barry McNamee, David McDaid (Michael Duffy 87), Conor Murphy. Goals: D McDaid (31), P McEleney (49), R Curran (82), D McCaffrey (89). Booked: D McDaid (66). Unused Subs: Eugene Ferry (GK), Ryan McBride, Mark Farren, Caoimhinn Bonner. DUNDALK FC: Peter Cherrie: Paul Whelan (Liam Burns 61), Derek Foran, Chris Shields ©, Eoghan Osborne: Lorcan Shannon, John Mountney, Stephen Maher, Gary Shanahan: Bob McKenna (William Woods 69), Barry Conlon (Paul Walsh 79). Booked: B Conlon (28), G Shanahan (43), D Foran (89). Unused Subs: Mark Leavy, Conor McDonald, Peter Thomas, Robbie Gaul. Referee: Rob Rogers (Dublin). Candystripes manager Declan Devine rested come players as their season hinges on Sunday''s FAI Cup semi-final at home to Shelbourne on Sunday. Dundalk are also in the semi-finals but have not won in the league for over four months.