Derry city cruise to Ford cup final

Craig Farrell

Derry City cruised into the FAI Ford Cup final after easily defeating Shelbourne 3-0 in their semi-final replay clash at Tolka Park. Shelbourne started the brighter of the two teams. Their first good effort came from a David Cassidy corner, as did the second.

A whipped in corner was met by Stephen Paisley, whose effort was cleared of the line by Derry City’s Patrick McEleney.

Despite this Shelbourne went behind, conceded at the worst possible time – on the stroke of half-time.

Derry’s Stephen McLaughlin gave the visitors the first-half lead after he slotted home a cross from the right wing by Simon Madden.

Mclaughlin then doubled Shelbourne’s woes, and Derry’s lead in the second half by netting his second past Shelbourne’s Chris Bennion in goal.

The game was put out of the reach of Shels when Derry’s David McDaid slotted a third, rounding Bennion after a failed attempt by the home team to catch the Derry player offside.

Derry will now face St Patrick’s Athletic in the FAI final on the 4^th of November, after Pat’s saw off Dundalk in Oriel Park by the same score.

Derry City has seen off Finn Harps, UCD, Mervue United and Shelbourne to book their place in the Final against St Pats.

Image Top: Gavin Golden Flickr