It was goals galore, ten to be exact, at The Brandywell in the EA Sports Cup quarter-finals as Derry City booked their place in the semi-finals with a 7-3 victory. A first-half hat-trick by Ronan Curtis and goals by Ronan Hale and Aaron McEneff was
It was goals galore, ten to be exact, at The Brandywell in the EA Sports Cup quarter-finals as Derry City booked their place in the semi-finals with a 7-3 victory.
A first-half hat-trick by Ronan Curtis and goals by Ronan Hale and Aaron McEneff was enough to give the Candy Stripes a substantial lead at the interval and secure the cup-tie.
After 10 minutes, Ronan Curtis was on the end of a splendid ball by Rory Hale and as the lone striker burst into the penalty area he easily beat Lee Steacy to give City the early advantage.
Derry City really began to turn the screw after 15 minutes and the difference in quality was evident for everyone to see as Curtis sealed his second of the evening. This time Aaron McEneff provided the through ball to Curtis, who has recently been linked with a move away from the club, and the 22-year old made no mistake in front of goal, rounding the keeper and executing a neat finish.
David O’Sullivan pulled one back for the Dublin side after 21 minutes. A long ball over the top of the City defence saw O’Sullivan pounce through on goal and Gerard Doherty was left helpless as Shels pulled one back.
Five minutes later, Shelbourne got themselves level when Jack Doyle found himself on the wrong side of O’Sullivan and the referee, Damien McGraith had an easy decision to make.
The Blackburn loanee upended the Shels striker inside the penalty area and O’Sullivan was cool from six-yards. In a remarkable first half filled with goals, the Lone Moor road outfit managed to restore their lead, scoring three goals in ten minutes.
The trio of Curtis, Hale and McEneff secured more goals for Derry just before half-time after some lovely football and a converted penalty on the stroke of half-time. The second half couldn’t live with the first, but late goals by James English, Nicky Low and Nathan Boyle finished off an incredible EA Sports Cup tie at The Brandywell.
