FAI Cup Report: Derry City 3 - 1 Shamrock Rovers

Derry City celebrate scoring against Shamrock Rovers in the cup

Derry City celebrate scoring against Shamrock Rovers in the cup Credit: John-Paul McGinley (ETPhotos)

Derry City earned their place in the semi-final of the FAI Cup by defeating ten man Shamrock Rovers 3-1 in the Ryan McBride Brandywell on Sunday evening. 

Two former Hoops came back to haunt Rovers in extra-time with first Danny Lafferty and then Brandon Kavanagh scoring the goals for the Candystripes.

Those goals came after Rory Gaffney’s second half strike had cancelled out Jamie McGonigle’s goal in the first half.

The Hoops played the game with ten men from the 38th minute onwards after Lee Grace was sent off for a professional foul.

The home side took the lead on 19 minutes when Mark Connolly picked up Cameron McJannet’s cross at the back post and when he sent it back in Jamie McGonigle headed it home for the opener.

Dummigan hit the crossbar shortly after and it soon got worse for Rovers.

Rob Hennessy deemed Grace’s push on Patrick McEleney in the box a professional foul and sent off the Carrick-on-Suir man six minutes before the break.

Hoops Head Coach Stephen Bradley withdrew Aaron Greene bringing on Gary O’Neill and there was a reprieve for the Hoops as Will Patching missed his second penalty of the season against Shamrock Rovers. His effort hit the crossbar.

Ten man Rovers equalised on 66 minutes through Rory Gaffney’s 12th of the season. He turned home the rebound after Andy Lyons’ shot was saved by Brian Maher. The chance all came from a great run from Neil Farrugia who cut in from the left to square to Lyons.

The game went to extra-time and the Candystripes retook the lead in the 96th minute as Lafferty headed home Michael Duffy’s corner from close range.



James Akitunde sent Brandon Kavanagh clear in the 110th minute and he wrapped up the win by burying the ball by Leon Pohls who played in goal for the Hoops in place of Alan Mannus.

Derry City: Brian Maher; Ronan Boyce, Mark Connolly, Cameron Dummigan, Shane McEleney (Daniel Lafferty 74), Cameron McJannet; Sadou Diallo (Brandon Kavanagh 83), Michael Duffy (Ryan Graydon 114), Patrick McEleney, Will Patching (Joe Thomson 71); Jamie McGonigle (James Akintunde 72).
Subs not used: Jack Lemoignan, Declan Glass, Cian Kavanagh, Jordan McEneff. 
Booked: Patrick McEleney (90), Cameron Dummigan (92), Ronan Boyce (115).

Shamrock Rovers: Leon Pohls; Daniel Cleary, Sean Gannon, Lee Grace; Neil Farrugia (Dylan Watts 97), Sean Kavanagh, Andy Lyons, Chris McCann (Ronan Finn 84); Jack Byrne (Graham Burke 88), Rory Gaffney (Simon Power 88), Aaron Greene(Gary O’Neill 38).
Subs not used: Alan Mannus, Justin Ferizaj, Victor Serdeniuk. 
Booked: Graham Burke (115). 
Sent off: Lee Grace (38). 

Referee: Rob Hennessy. 
extratime.com Player of the Match: Cameron Dummigan (Derry City)

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