Kenny Shiels will need to raise his team’s game after the 4-0 defeat against Dundalk last night. The Candy Stripes host Dundalk this Sunday in a league fixture at Maginn Park
THREE second half goals saw Derry City crash out of the FAI Cup last night.
It was a night to forget for the Candy Stripes with the home side quick out of the blocks taking the lead after 47 seconds through John Mountney.
Kenny Shiels’s side were well beaten in the end at Oriel Park by last year’s finalists.
He will now have to regroup his players and get them to raise their game for a SSE Airtricity Premier league fixture against the same opposition this forthcoming Sunday, August 20, at Maginn Park (kick off 2.30 pm).
Derry City are currently seven points behind second placed Dundalk in the league who sit on 50 points. A Derry win would narrow the gap to four points and also help City consolidate their chances of getting European football next season.
City entered the game with Lukas Schubert deputising for the suspended McDermott at full back and found themselves one behind in the opening minute.
McEleney released Gannon down the right and with Curtis caught falt footed, the full back breezed into the box and crossed low for Mountney to finish.
The home side continued to dictate possession and chances for long period of the first half and Michael Duffy could have ended the game as a contest on a number of occasions.
The young winger was enjoying plenty of joy on the left hand side and fired a number of efforts wide or over when he should have tested Doherty.
He did crash an effort against the bar in the 26th minute from a free kick as the Lilywhites sought to double their advantage.
Whilst City were enjoying plenty of possession, Dundalk were happy to drop off and City struggled to make an impact in the opposition half.
The pick of the chances in the first half fell to McEneff, who was very unlucky to see his effort rebound off the crossbar. Schubert, following up, saw his effort deflected wide.
City had a chance early in the second period but McNamee dragged the ball wide on his weaker foot.
This was to haunt Derry as Dundalk doubled their advantage on 52 minutes. Jarvis hauled McMillan to the ground from a corner and Neil Doyle correctly pointed to the spot.
The striker fired down the middle to make it 2-0 to the home side and leave the visitors with a mountain to climb.
City continued to force half chances to get back into the game. Vemmelund brilliantly blocked Schubert and then Massey cleared off the line when McNamee followed up Dolny’s initial effort.
In the midst of these chances, Doherty saved brilliantly from Benson after a great break by Duffy.
With just over 10 minutes remaining, the home side sealed the tie. McNamee played the ball into the path of Mountney and the midfielder lashed it home from 25 yards, the ball flying into Gerard Doherty’s bottom corner.
As City tired and heads dropped the home side turned on the style and Duffy grabbed the goal that his efforts deserved, making it four nil in injury time.
DERRY CITY: Ger Doherty; Darren Cole, Aaron Barry, Dean Jarvis, Aaron McEneff, Nathan Boyle (Josef Dolny 58), Nicky Low, Barry McNamee, Lukas Schubert, Ronan Curtis (Ben Doherty 70), Rory Patterson.
Subs: Eric Grimes, Rory Holden, Micky Place, Jamie McIntyre, Eoin Toal.
DUNDALK: Gary Rogers; Sean Gannon, Brian Gartland, Niclas Vemmelund, Dane Massey; Stephen O’Donnell (capt), Robbie Benson; John Mountney, Patrick McEleney (Chris Shields 78), Michael Duffy; David McMillan (Thomas Stewart 80).
Subs: Gabriel Sava (GK), Shane Grimes, Sean Hoare, Dylan Connolly, Thomas Stewart.
