Derry City respond in style as they dump St. Patrick's Athletic out of the FAI Cup!

Derry City 3

St. Patrick’s Athletic 0

Two goals from Danny Mullen helped Derry City respond to their Europa Conference League disappointment in emphatic fashion as they battered St. Patrick's Athletic at the Brandywell.  

The striker, making his first start in nine games, took his tally to eight goals for the season with two fine finishes as City hit all three goals in a devastating 15-minute period in the second half. 

St. Pat’s missed a great chance to take the lead just seven minutes in when a well-worked free-kick routine almost paid off. Brandon Kavanagh whipped the ball into a packed penalty area, where Duffy’s attempted header clear turned into an assist for Jake Mulreany, who came in unmarked at the back post. Mulreany couldn’t control his finish however and Mark Connolly was able to head clear.

Stephen Kenny’s side were patient, allowing Derry City to boss possession before breaking, and this tactic almost delivered midway through the half. A misplaced pass from Mark Connolly led to Jake Mulreany being released down the left and his cross all the way to the back post was met by Chris Forrester on the volley with Brian Maher having to parry the ball away.

Derry City finally threatened on 37 minutes and Anto Breslin had to come to his team’s rescue when he cleared Mark Connolly’s header off the line from Will Patching’s corner.

The second half began dramatically with referee Rob Harvey pointing to the penalty spot less than two minutes in after McMullan went down in the area under a challenge from Sjoberg. Amidst protestations from the Pats’ players, Will Patching placed the ball on the spot, but he saw his effort brilliantly saved by Anang, who dived fully to his left to keep the ball out.

The Pats’ joy was short lived however as Derry City took the lead within five minutes. Duffy went racing down the left, into the penalty area where he pulled the ball back from the byline to Mullen, who brilliantly back-heeled the ball past Anang and into the net.

It got even better for Derry City as they doubled their lead just five minutes later. Ben Doherty’s corner into the heart of the penalty area was met with a bullet header from Danny Mullen, who powered in his seventh goal of the season.

It was so nearly 3-0 just past the hour mark as St. Pats’ were opened up again, McMullan finding the run of Duffy in behind, but Anang saved his team again.

But the red and white wave was incessant and Pats’ had no answer as Derry City made it 3-0 on 67 minutes. McMullan won the ball deep in the Pat’s half and found O’Reilly who set up Duffy, who caressed the ball beautifully into the corner past Anang to seal progression into the next round.

Derry City: Maher, Coll (Whelan 84’), Connolly, Todd, Doherty; Dummigan, O'Reilly, Patching (Diallo 84’); McMullan (Kelly 84’), Mullen (Hoban 73’), Duffy.

St Patrick's Athletic: Sojiberg, Redmond, Grivosti (Turner 84’), Breslin; Lennon (Palmer 63’), Forrester, Leavy (Elbouzedi 63’); B Kavanagh (C Kavanagh 71’), Melia (McClelland 84’), Mulraney.

Referee: Mr Robert Harvey (Dublin).