Rampant Derry put seven past Waterford
HAT-TRICK HERO: Liam Boyce scores a hat trick for Derry City. Pic: Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile
LIAM Boyce netted a hat-trick as a rampant Derry City thumped seven past a stunned Waterford United at Brandywell.
The 34-year-old former Hearts man took his season tally to eight goals with his contribution on a night Derry closed the gap on leaders Shamrock Rovers to eight points with a game in hand.
Boyce became the first Derry player to score a hat-trick since Pat Hoban's treble against Waterford in March 2024.
The Belfast man netted twice in the opening 24 minutes but his brace was overshadowed by Sadou Diallo's goal of the season contender which crashed off the underside of the crossbar before nestling into the net.
Skipper Mark Connolly headed in a fourth just before half-time and while Padraig Amond scored twice in the second half, a third goal from Boyce, and a goal apiece from the sensational Michael Duffy and equally impressive Gavin Whyte sealed Derry's biggest win of the season.
Derry hit the front after five minutes following a sweeping move finished by Liam Boyce who rifled his shot into the middle of the goal.
Another swift attack from Derry opened up the Waterford defence as White and Ronan Boyce linked up on the right and the latter crossed towards the front post where Liam Boyce's strike was turned behind by a timely tackle from Andy Boyle.
The Candystripes doubled their advantage on 25 minutes when Duffy raced down the left wing and found Liam Boyce lurking on the penalty spot. The striker fired into the net despite the best efforts of Wade.
Derry were threatening to run riot and added a third with a thunderbolt from Diallo. The midfielder's strike from 30 yards crashed off the underside of the crossbar and nestled into the net.
Wade again saved from Duffy's long range effort before skipper Connolly's glancing header which beat Wade at the back post - the Monaghan man's first goal since victory over Waterford in June last season.
The small band of travelling support at last had something to cheer about five minutes into the second half when Amond dribbled into the penalty area and slotted clinically past Maher for his ninth goal of the season.
Whyte's inch perfect crossfield pass found the run of Duffy who turned Darragh Leahy before firing past Wade with his left foot.
Derry's sixth came on 57 minutes as he picked out the run of Liam Boyce who poked the ball home at the front post for his hat-trick.
Whyte's sensational performance was just lacking a goal and it arrived on 73 minutes when Duffy found him lurking on the edge of the box and he fired the ball into the bottom corner.
Amond netted his second and a consolation strike for Waterford who capitalised from a quick throw-in with 10 minutes to go.
DERRY CITY: Maher, Cann, Connolly, Holt (Ferguson 75); R Boyce, Winchester (Frizzell 75), Diallo, Whyte (O’Reilly 75), Duffy (Benson 76), Todd; L Boyce (Mullen 64).
WATERFORD: Wade, McDonald (McMenamy 76), Boyle, Leahy; Horton, Glenfield, (Manfield 63) Noonan, Olayinka (White 63), Burke (Dempsey 63); Amond, Lonergan (Coyle 53).
Referee: Ben McMaster (Belfast).
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