Derry ride luck as new signing Smith hits winner against UCD in FAI Cup

Derry took the lead through Michael Duffy but Louis Dignam hit back for UCD before Tyler Smith got a second half winner for the Premier Division side

New signing from Rochdale Tyler Smith was the hero for Derry against UCD. Pic: ©INPHO/Nick Elliott

FAI Cup third round: UCD 1 Derry City 2

Derry City rode their luck to advance to the fourth round of the FAI Cup after being outclassed for long spells by First Division UCD at the Belfield Bowl.

New signing from Rochdale Town, Tyler Smith, was the hero with a well taken goal midway through the second half.

The Candystripes led early through a superbly taken Michael Duffy free kick and appeared to be cruising until Louis Dignam levelled things up in the 17th minute.

And the Students appeared to be in full control before Smith hit them with a sucker punch just past the hour.

An understrength Derry side arrived in Dublin without midfielder James McClean as a contract dispute continues to rage with the injury-struck Irish centurion.

That did not seem to affect them at first as Carl Lennox took down Smith and Duffy stepped up to curl a wonderful free kick into the top corner from 25 yards.

Smith tested keeper Noah Douglas with a low shot but UCD struck back as Dignam outpaced Patrick McClean before rounding keeper Brian Maher before slotting home.

Full-back Luca Cailloce, who was now playing in a virtually attacking role, hit the bar twice in quick succession with snapshots from the edge of the box as UCD asserted control.

And they could have led when a long Douglas ball was missed by the Derry centre halves but Goodness Ogbonna’s touch was heavy and he couldn’t divert the ball past Maher.

It proved a costly miss as Smith played a one-two with Duffy on the edge of the box and found room to squeeze a shot past Douglas.

Derry’s added experience from the bench saw them grow but UCD sub Charles Akinrintayo hit the woodwork for a third time, rattling the post at the second attempt.

And UCD had their final chance in injury time but sub Jayden Goad skied his effort from Akinrintayo’s cross as Derry held out for the win.

UCD: Noah Douglas; Luca Cailloce, Carl Lennox, Eoin Sheeran, Seán Murphy; Mikey McCullough (Stephen Mohan 85), Adam Wells, Hugh Smith; Ciaran Behan (Charles Akinrintayo 61), Goodness Ogbonna (Jayden Goad 73), Louis Dignam.

Derry City: Brian Maher; Barry Cotter (Conor Barr 60), Cameron Dummigan, Patrick McClean, Brooklyn Lyons-Foster (Jamie Stott 45); Darragh Burns (James Olayinka 60), Nick Twisk (Ellis Chapman 60), Adam O’Reilly, Michael Duffy; James Clarke, Tyler Smith (Michael McColgan 89).

Referee: Lucas Keating.