Derry City 2-0 UCD

**DmanDmythDledge** · 02/10/2006, 4:36 PM

It was expected.

**pineapple stu** · 02/10/2006, 4:42 PM

Deep.

**DmanDmythDledge** · 02/10/2006, 10:21 PM

Newspaper report says we played 4-5-1?

**pineapple stu** · 02/10/2006, 10:43 PM

Wrong.

UCD fell to a third consecutive elimination at the quarter-final stage of the FAI Cup when going down 2-0 to in-form Derry in the Brandywell on Sunday evening. UCD remain the only side to emerge without defeat from the Brandywell, but had no answer to Derry's second half performance which saw the Candystripes advance to the last four.

Pete Mahon made two changes from the side which held Cork, but not the expected dropping of a forward in favour of a midfielder; instead, Keith Doyle came in for his debut at left-back at the expense of Darragh Ryan, while Pat McWalter came in for Pat Kavanagh. Derry changed a few playres about after their defeat to PSG three days earlier, but were still able to introduce players of the calibre of Clive Delaney, Kevin McHugh and Mark Farren.

UCD were dealt a blow as early as the fifth minute, when McWalter went down injured off the ball. In obvious distress, he crawled off the pitch and was helped onto a stretcher, to be replaced by Conan Byrne. With the doctor being called to attendance shortly after, it is quite possible McWalter's season may have been prematurely ended.

It was the Students - announced as UCD Dublin on the PA - who created the first opening of the match, when Tony McDonnell got free at the back post to prod a header into the side netting. Four minutes later, a dangerous cross from the right went right across UCD's six yard box when needing just a final touch from a Derry player, while UCD repeated the trick at the other end and Paul Byrne was wide with a header a couple of minutes later as the game enjoyed an open, if slow, first half.

Five minutes into the second half, UCD were awarded a free in a very dangerous position just outside the Derry box; Gary Dicker's attempt, however, was over and wide. A goal at this stage would have been vital for UCD, particularly as Derry ad come out all guns blazing at the start of the second half. Just two minutes later, Darren Quigley had to make a superb block to keep the game scoreless, but was helpless as the rebound was somehow scooped over from two yards. Ten minutes later, Quigley was less impressive when parrying a speculative long range shot back towards the inrushing McHugh, but Conor Kenna was just in front of the Derry striker to clear to safety. From the corner, Quigley had to be at his best to tip over a header which was dipping just under the bar.

The goal which Derry had been threatening since the break arrived just past the hour. Killian Brennan went past Derek Doyle in the area and was brought down by a poorly timed tackle, and referee Ian Stokes had no hesitation in awarding a penalty. With Stephen O'Flynn - who missed when the teams met in the league last month - on the bench, spot-kick responsibilities fell to Mark Farren, who clinically dispatched the ball to the top right corner to give Quigley no chance.

Just a minute later, it was 2-0, although this time, Quigley had far more chance to prevent it. After a scramble in the box, the ball was cleared to Killian Brennan, whose drive from the edge of the area went through a sea of bodies which must have unsighted Quigley, as the ball slipped in between his legs and bounced into the back of the net.

UCD heads dropped after that, and Derry could have added to their tally; poor misses costing them on a couple of occasions. Pete Mahon, meanwhile, took the opportunity to give debuts Francis Moran and Damien Kelly on the right and left wings respectively. Conan Byrne could have given UCD a lifeline late on, but having broken last the Derry left-back, his shot was straight at the advancing David Forde in the Derry net.

Ultimately, victory was no more than Derry deserved for a fine second half performance, and Pete Mahon must now set his sights on sixth place in the league and a home tie against Bray Wanderers, as the Students once again ponder what might have been in the Cup.

UCD: Quigley; Mahon, Kenna, McNally, Ryan; McWalter (C. Byrne, 5 mins), McDonnell, Dicker, Doyle (Moran, 74 mins); Sammon, P. Byrne (Kelly, 74 mins)

Att - c 3000

**dfx-** · 02/10/2006, 10:47 PM

How did Keith Doyle get on...?

**pineapple stu** · 02/10/2006, 10:49 PM

He was called out as Darragh Ryan, so I didn't notice him for the first half (he was also in the far corner of the pitch). It was only midway through the second half that I realised it wasn't Daz at all. He did OK - not spectacularly, but we were being overrun in the second half by the time I noticed him, so it'd be harsh to comment on that basis. In fact, I'm not even sure it was him - I'm just assuming it on the basis that it couldn't have been anyone else. And he was wearing a wrist support.