FAI Cup Report: Derry City 3 - 0 Drogheda United

Derry City booked their place in the FAI Cup Quarter Final in style as they knocked out Drogheda for the second year in a row at the Brandywell. Goals from Patrick McEleney, Cillian Morrison and Barry McNamee secured Derry’s progression in the competition as they ran out 3-0 victors.

Derry started the game as they meant to go on with a lighting quick start. With just 120 seconds on the clock, Mark Timlin went all so close to putting Derry into an early lead. Patrick McEleney gathered possession 30-yards from goal before threading a pin point through ball in behind the Drogheda backline for Mark Timlin to chase. The winger turned striker was quick to oblige and before long was racing in on Michael Schlingermann’s goal. However the visiting keeper done well to put off Timlin who couldn’t finish.

The game quietened down for a spell before Patrick McEleney headed Derry into a 19^th minute lead. Cillian Morrison, who came in for the cup tied Ciaran O’Connor, received possession on the right side before firing a superb cross into the box in the direction of Patrick McEleney. The striker rose the highest and thundered his header home giving Schlingermann absolutely no chance.

Drogheda failed to trouble Gerard Doherty’s net in the first half however Derry were to have one more chance on 37 minutes. It was Mark Timlin again causing Drogheda trouble. Following a failed Drogheda attack, Derry broke through Timlin. He gathered the ball just over the halfway line and raced towards Schlingermann’s goal once more. This time he managed to beat the keeper however the post came to the Drogheda shot stopper’s rescue.

That was it for a Derry dominated first half and following the interval, Derry began in the exact same fashion. They began quickly but didn’t register their first chance of the half until 63 minutes. It was Philip Lowry’s turn to be played in on goal by Patrick McEleney. The midfielder attempted to flick the ball past Schlingermann but the keeper got something on the ball. However it did seem like the keeper collided with Lowry. The Derry faithful called for a penalty but referee Paul Tuite waved away the appeals and gave the corner, much to the dismay of the on-looking Derry fans.

Derry did, however, double their lead just 3 minutes later. Derry had a free kick not far outside the Droghdea area and Patrick McEleney stepped up to take it. The striker thundered his effort goalwards but it was well saved. The rebound did, however, fall to Cillian Morrsion who was able to tap home from close range.

Just 60 seconds later, Derry added another. Mark Timlin, again, led the forward charge for Derry however he was brought down by a hard challenge from the centre half. Unfortunately for the away fans, the ball fell to Barry McNamee who fired home from 25-yards rendering Schlingermann helpless.

Not long after, Derry were again in on goal through Dean Jarvis. The full back danced through the Drogheda defence with some excellent footwork before attempting an audacious scooped shot over Schlingermann. His attempt, that any striker would be proud of, had the keeper beat but the covering defender was able to clear off the line.

Drogheda attempted to get back into the game, making a few substitutions and nearly done just that after 83 minutes. They earned a free kick on the edge of Derry’s box in a very dangerous position, which Sean Brennan stepped up to take. The forward did well to get the ball up and over the wall however Ger Doherty was equal to it to ensure his clean sheet remained intact.

Soon after, referee Paul Tuite called a halt to proceedings with Derry progressing into the draw for the quarter finals. Both sides will not have to return to league action as they attempt to avoid the drop in the eight league games that remain.

Derry City: Gerard Doherty; Rob Cornwall, Aaron Barry, Ryan McBride, Dean Jarvis; Cillian Morrison, Philip Lowry (Josh Daniels 84”), Aaron McEneff, Barry McNamee; Patrick McEleney (Mark Quigley 74”), Mark Timlin (Ronan Curtis 77”)

Subs not used: Shaun Patton, Ryan Curran, Seamus Sharkey, George Kelly

Booked: Ryan McBride (82”)

Drogheda United: Micheál Schlingermann; Mick Daly, Alan Byrne, Robert O’Reilly, Jason Marks; Lee Duffy, Mark Hughes, Seán Thornton (Stephen Maher 73”), Robert Bayly (Seán Brennan 73”), Tiarnan Mulvenna; Robert McKenna (Joe Gorman 54”)

Subs not used: Adam Whelan, Sam McGowan, Lloyd Buckley, Nathan Seery

Booked: Lee Duffy (41”)

Referee: Paul Tuite

Extratime.ie Man of the Match:  Mark Timlin (Derry City)