Rampant Derry demolish Drogs

DERRY eased past a disappointing Drogheda side in this totally one-sided Premier Division contest at Hunky Dorys Park last night.

City opened their account after 10 minutes. As Drogheda were busy claiming a handball at midfield, James McClean sent the ball out to Eamon Zayed, who brushed off the attentions of Philip Hand to score.

With their first opportunity Tiernan Mulvenna flashed a header wide for the home side but normal service was quickly resumed at the other end when Gareth McGlynn created an opening only to see his shot saved by keeper Stephen Trimble.

Derry should have been out of sight before the break but McClean fluffed his shot from a good position before Ruaidhri Higgins clipped a free-kick narrowly over.

Just on half-time, Zayed’s long pass fell to Patrick McEleney who was unlucky to see his lob graze the woodwork.

How McClean didn’t help himself to a hat-trick in the opening 20 minutes was a mystery and Derry’s frustration continued as Zayed blasted wide and forced Trimble into a terrific save. However, the visitors’ total dominance was finally rewarded on 74 minutes when McClean provided the cross for Gareth McGlynn to head home.

Trimble then denied Zayed, but there was nothing the Drogheda keeper could do to prevent Zayed pouncing for his second on the night and Derry’s third right on fulltime as the striker slooted the ball home from close range.

DROGHEDA UNITED: Trimble, O’Brien C, Hand, Ekanem, McNally, Gannon, O’Brien M (Clarke 82), McMahon, Corcoran, Mulvenna (Freeman 82), Brennan (Quigley 82).

DERRY CITY: Doherty, McCallion, Greacen, McEleney S, McEleney P (McLaughlin 90), McClean, McBride, McGlynn, Higgins, Zayed, Lafferty. Referee: D. Tomney (Dublin).