Six different goal scorers as Derry City dominate UCD at the Brandywell

Derry City 6

UCD

Derry City dominated UCD with five second half goals in a one-sided game at the Brandywell. 

They took a while to get going against already-relegated UCD, but blitzed their opponents in a one-sided second half.

It took just five minutes for Derry to take the lead and it was a spectacular effort, with Michael Duffy’s cross volleyed in first time by Danny Mullen, who scored his first goal at the Brandywell.

UCD, who kept Shamrock Rovers out for 90 minutes just a week earlier, almost caused another shock, with what would certainly have been a goal of the season contender on 13 minutes. Adam Verdon dispossessed Adam O’Reilly on halfway and immediately went for goal, with Brian Maher out of his penalty area. Unfortunately for Verdon, his effort lacked distance, and Maher was able to claim.

Derry needed just 49 seconds of the second half to double their lead and it was an exquisite finish from Will Patching. Paul McMullan worked hard to retain possession on the right and he fed Patching, who nonchalantly lofted the ball over Moore and into the net from the corner of the UCD penalty area for his 10th goal of the season.

There was a far better tempo to the second half than the first and Derry added a third on 54 minutes to really seal their win, Cameron McJannet heading in at the back post from Ben Doherty’s corner.

Derry were now determined to really attack the goal difference between themselves and Shamrock Rovers and they came so close to making it 4-0 on 68 minutes when Patching played in substitute Jamie McGonigle, but his curling effort was brilliantly saved by Moore.

The home fans didn’t have to wait long for number four however, and it arrived just 60 seconds later when McMullan’s centre was headed back across goal by Duffy to substitute Brandon Kavanagh, who headed in his fifth goal of the season from close range.

UCD were just praying for the final whistle as Derry City completely dominated, and the fifth goal arrived on 77 minutes, Duffy heading in from Doherty’s cross for his 10th of the season.

UCD substitute Jack Keaney was then sent off for two yellow cards, before McGonigle got his goal, cutting onto his right foot before curling past an exposed Moore.

Teams

Derry City: Maher, Dummigan, S McEleney, McJannet, Doherty; Diallo (McEneff 75’), O'Reilly (B Kavanagh 62’), Patching; McMullan, Mullen (McGonigle 62’), Duffy (C Kavanagh 81’).

UCD: Moore, Wells, Barr (Higgins 56’), Behan (Kinsella-Bishop 75’), Keane, O'Brien (Keaney 56’), Norris (Osam 76’), O'Regan, Brennan (Doyle 76’), Verdon, Clancy.

Referee: Eoghan O'Shea (Dublin).