Derry City stunned St Patrick’s Athletic with three goals in 15 second-half minutes to progress to the third round of the FAI Cup.
Ruaidhri Higgins and his players were under pressure to produce a result following their Uefa Conference League humiliation against FCB Magpies on Thursday, and they answered their critics emphatically.
Goalless at half time, this Cup tie exploded into life in the second period with Will Patching missing a penalty before two goals from Danny Mullen and one from Michael Duffy devastated St Pat’s.
The visitors 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 but couldn’t control his finish and Mark Connolly was able to head clear.
Stephen Kenny’s side were patient, allowing Derry to boss possession before breaking, and this tactic almost delivered midway through the half. A misplaced pass from Connolly led to 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 away.
The Candystripes finally threatened on 37 minutes and Anto Breslin had to come to his team’s rescue when he cleared Connolly’s header off the line from Patching’s corner.
The second-half began dramatically with referee Rob Harvey awarding a penalty less than two minutes in after Paul McMullan went down in the area under a challenge from Axel Sjoberg. Amidst protestations from the away side, Patching placed the ball on the spot, but he saw his effort brilliantly saved by Joseph Anang.
Pat’s joy was short lived, however, as Derry took the lead within five minutes. Duffy went racing down the left and into the penalty area, where he pulled the ball back from the byline to Mullen, who brilliantly back-heeled past Anang and into the net.
It got even better for Higgins’ side 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 Mullen, who powered in his second goal of the day and seventh of the season.
It was nearly 3-0 just past the hour mark as the Saints were opened up again, McMullan finding the run of Duffy in behind, but Anang saved his team once more.
But the red and white wave was incessant and the visitors had no answer as City made it 3-0 on 67 minutes.
McMullan won possession deep in the Pat’s half and found Adam O’Reilly, who set up Duffy and he caressed the ball beautifully into the corner past Anang to seal progression into the next round.
DERRY: Maher, Coll (Whelan 84), Connolly, Todd, Doherty, Dummigan, O’Reilly, Patching (Diallo 84), McMullan (Kelly 84), Mullen (Hoban 73), Duffy.
ST PAT’S: Anang, Sojiberg, Redmond, Grivosti (Turner 84), Breslin, Lennon (Palmer 63), Forrester, Leavy (Elbouzedi 63), B Kavanagh (C Kavanagh 71), Melia (McClelland 84), Mulraney.
Referee: Robert Harvey (Dublin).
Man of the match: Danny Mullen
Match rating: 7/10