League Report: UCD 0 - 4 Derry City
Credit: Peter Fitzpatrick (ETPhotos)
Derry City maintained their unbeaten start to the season thanks to a commanding 4-0 win away to UCD at the Belfield Bowl.
Jordan McEneff’s first-half brace all but sealed the win while Ollie O’Neill and Will Patching also netted in the second-half.
The Students remain rooted to the foot of the table while Derry City are one point clear at the top.
The Candystripes came into Monday’s clash off the back of a statement win against Shamrock Rovers on Friday night.
But they went into the game without striker Jamie McGonigle who was replaced by Cian Kavanagh while Jordan McEneff returned to their starting XI after dropping to the bench against the Hoops.
And those changes had the desired effect when Derry City took the lead in the 15th minute through McEneff.
Ben Doherty initially forced a good save from Lorcan Healy but the ball cannoned back to the former Arsenal youth who curled his effort into the top corner.
Five minutes before the break the Candsytripes doubled their advantage through McEneff.
The lively attacker beat the UCD offside trap and rounded Healy to roll the ball into the back of the net.
Ollie O’Neill then scored past the hour mark just moments after he was brought on.
The Ireland Under-21 surged down the left flank and profited from a glaring Healy mistake as the UCD keeper failed to collect the ball.
And that left the Fulham loanee with the simplest task to roll his effort home into the net.
Patching then found the net as his free-kick deflected into the back of the net in the 75th minute to make it 4-0.
UCD: Lorcan Healy; Brendan Barr, Jesse Dempsey (Evan Osam 67), Jack Keaney, Harvey O'Brien (Adam Wells 67); Ciaran Behan, Mark Dignam, Donal Higgins, Dara Keane (Divine Izekor 72), Daniel Norris (Harry O'Connor 80); Alex Nolan (Danu Kinsella Bishop 72).
Subs not used: Kian Moore, Ryan Bowden, Sami Clarke, Jake Doyle.
Booked: Harvey O'Brien (5), Ciaran Behan (56), Jack Keaney (69).
Derry City: Brian Maher; Ronan Boyce, Mark Connolly (Ciaran Coll 70), Ben Doherty, Shane McEleney; Sadou Diallo, Ryan Graydon (Matthew Ward 70), Brandon Kavanagh (Jamie McGonigle 63), Jordan McEneff, Will Patching (Evan McLaughlin 78); Cian Kavanagh (Oliver O'Neill 64).
Subs not used: Tadhg Ryan, Liam Mullan, Patrick McEleney, Tiernan McGinty.
Booked: Jordan McEneff (45).
Referee: David Dunne.
Attendance: 406.
extratime.com Player of the Match: Jordan McEneff (Derry City).
