Derry City advanced to the last eight of the FAI Cup as 19-year-old super substitute Adrian Delap gave the Candy Stripes a narrow victory - with Gerard Doherty saving an Ian Turner penalty deep into injury time. St.Patrick's Atheltic started the li
Derry City advanced to the last eight of the FAI Cup as 19-year-old super substitute Adrian Delap gave the Candy Stripes a narrow victory - with Gerard Doherty saving an Ian Turner penalty deep into injury time. St.Patrick's Atheltic started the livelier of the two and Dean Clarke allured a fairly cheap foul from Jamie McDonagh, but Conan Byrne went for glory - only to drive the ball directly over the bar. After 10 minutes, the cup tie was end-to-end as both sides had their chances but it was Derry who had the better of the chances' midway through the first half. A Ben Fisk drive had the Saints' defence in sixes and sevens - forcing Brendan Clarke to make a brilliant save at his near post and a corner-kick. The pressure continued - Rory Hale trying a thunderbolt from long-range, momentarily troubling the St.Pats' goalkeeper. In the second half, the City attack was screaming out for an experienced centre-forward with Adrian Delap replacing Ally Roy after 55 minutes - the Scot leaving the pitch with a suspected shoulder injury. It wasn't to say that Derry didn't have their chances, they had them in abundance - Ronan Hale attempting an effort from 18-yards after the hour mark - but it was all too easy for Clarke, who to be fair looked indomitable. However, with 10 minutes left Clarke was beaten by an unrelenting City attack. A fantastic piece of play between McEneff and Splaine unlocked the St.Pats' defence only for Adrian Delap to put the ball beyond the Saints' goalkeeper. Liam Buckey's side exerted for the equaliser and on the 95th minute of play, Neil Doyle pointed to the spot when Dan Seabourne upended Simon Madden inside the box for a stone-wall penalty. The Brandywell, in dismay, held their breath - only for the birthday boy, Doherty to save Turner's penalty with his right-foot, sending Buckley's side out of the FAI Cup.
