Airtricity League Premier Division: UCD 1 Derry City 6
From Daire Walsh at the UCD Bowl
HAT-TRICK hero Michael Duffy was the star of the show at the UCD Bowl yesterday as Derry City bounced back from their midweek European exit with a comprehensive 6-1 triumph against an overwhelmed UCD outfit.
Following their heavy defeat to Shakhytor Soligorsk, yesterday’s victory will serve as a major confidence boost for Peter Hutton’s charges, who return to the top half of the table.
The Candystripes enjoyed the majority of possession during the early exchanges, but City netminder Gerard Doherty had to be alert to thwart the on-rushing Robbie Benson after 10 minutes.
It was a reminder of what UCD were capable of, but thanks to terrific approach work by Mark Timlin, the visitors were soon in front.
Timlin’s enterprising ball over the top was met on 20 minutes by Duffy, who coolly fired past the stranded Conor O’Donnell in the UCD goal.
It was an ideal tonic for the Brandywell men following their Europa League disappointment, and with conditions started to deteriorate as the half progressed, Duffy and Nathan Boyle posed numerous questions for the UCD rearguard.
Boyle, in particular, was making a big impression on the right flank, and strong defensive work was required from Aaron Callaghan’s side to stop the former Finn Harps star doubling the advantage.
Excellent build-up play throughout the half ensured the supply line to lone striker Rory Patterson was of a high quality, and he made no mistake three minutes before the break, when a slip from UCD defender Gareth Matthews left the front man one-on-one with O’Donnell.
This two-goal cushion left Derry in pole position to secure a sixth league victory of the season when the action resumed, and any notion of a dramatic fightback were effectively eliminated within seven minutes of the restart.
Boyle was a prominent figure once again for rampant City, as he provided assist for Duffy’s second on 50 minutes before again playing a part for his hat-trick goal just two minutes later.
Neat play by Boyle found Josh Tracey in an advanced position, and after the latter delivered a precise pull-back Duffy was in the right place to fire past the helpless O’Donnell.
This placed the tie beyond the reach of the Students, but just when everything seemed to be going according to plan for Derry, UCD grabbed a consolation goal from a Benson set-piece.
Derry were still in control of their own destiny, however, and although the concluding stages were largely uneventful, an injury suffered by UCD’S Mark Langtry meant that nine minutes of stoppage-time were required at the end of the half.
Derry had enough time to add to their already handsome tally, and after the influential Barry Molloy finishing in spectacular fashion, Patterson grabbed his second with consummate ease to put the seal on an outstanding display.
MATCH STATS
UCD: O’Donnell; Matthews, Kavanagh, Coyne, Langtry (Tobin 70); Mulhall (Belhout 38), Benson, Crowe, Molloy, Ben Mohamed (Burke 77); Cannon.
DERRY CITY: Doherty; Barry, Ventre (B McNamee 57), McBride, Timlin; Boyle (P McEleney 59), Molloy, Lowry, Tracey, Duffy (Dooley 78); Patterson.
Referee: P McLaughlin (Donegal).