Double still on for Derry City with defeat of Damien Duff's Shelbourne
Derry's Will Patching and Patrick McEleney after the game
Derry City issued a statement of intent with this defeat of Shelbourne at the Brandywell last night having progressed into the semi-finals of the FAI Cup, where they will face Bohemians away from home.
And Damien Duff's Shelbourne can have no excuses with this defeat, Ruaidhri Higgins' side having produced a slick performance which will boost confidence levels with Shamrock Rovers visiting in the Foyleside venue next Friday night in the league.
Comfortable in possession and quick to close their opponents down, the home lot rose to the occasion, their hopes of a possible 'treble' still very much alive.
Four points adrift of league leaders, Derry will face Shelbourne in the final league game of the season at this venue.
Goals on either side of half time from Michael Duffy and Danny Mullen did the business in the end.
The 'Candy Stripes' got into their stride from the kick-off when, after just 90 seconds, Will Patching was presented with a superb scoring chance when he was set up by Danny Mullen but the midfielder's shot failed to hit the target.
Derry however deservedly moved into the driving seat in the 23rd minute following a superb move by the home side.
The lively Adam O'Reilly broke on the right flank and while Danny Mullen had been fouled referee Rob Harvey applied the advantage, Patching finding Michael Duffy and he drove a powerful low shot into the corner of Conor Kearns' net.
And Derry went so close to adding a second goal in the 39th minute when Mullen was set up by Paul McMullen, the latter's low shot blocked on the line by Shels defender Shane Griffin.
Derry's tactics of pressing Shelbourne at every opportunity almost reaped dividends during the early stages of the second half but Mullen's diving header from close range failed to hit the target.
Having maintained their dominance of the ball, Derry finally doubled their lead in the 63rd minute when Danny Mullan diverted Patchings' cut-back into the Shelbourne net and Damien Duff's side were in trouble, Derry's 50th goal of the season in all competitions.
Indeed, given that home keeper Brian Maher had very little to deal with, few could argue with Derry's progress to the last four.
Maher; Wisdom, Connolly, Coll, Doherty (Boyce, 42), Diallo (McEleney, 55), O'Reilly, McMullan, Patching (Davenport, 85) Duffy, Mullen (Hoban, 65).
Kearns; Ledwitch, Barrett, Griffin (Tulloch, 61), Wilson, Coyle, Wood (Bone, 61), Smith (Boyd, 61), O'Sullivan (Burt, 71), Coote (Caffrey, 72), O'Brien.
Rob Harvey (Dublin).
Bohemians v Derry City
Drogheda United v WexfordÂ
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