Dundalk exit FAI Cup after six-goal Brandywell contest

Michael Duffy came back to haunt his former club Dundalk FC as his two goals and two assists inspired Derry City to a 4-2 victory over the Lilywhites in the Club Orange FAI Cup quarter-final at the Ryan McBride Brandywell on Sunday.

After a scrappy opening, Derry goalkeeper Tom Norcott made a hash of a Bobby Burns corner from the right, taking out his own player Duffy in the process as he attempted to punch clear.

Following an initial heavy touch, Shane Tracey finished through the legs of Nick Twisk to put Dundalk ahead after 12 minutes.

Their lead lasted just 11 minutes, however. Egor Vassenin fouled Duffy in a promising position and the Derry winger delivered the resulting free-kick, with the completely unmarked Patrick McClean glancing a header beyond Dundalk goalkeeper Enda Minogue to bring the sides level.

Referee Paul McLaughlin showed little interest in a Dundalk penalty appeal when Declan McDaid went down under a challenge from Brandon Fleming following Daryl Horgan’s ball into the box.

Derry were awarded a penalty of their own a minute before half-time when Fleming’s low cross struck the arm of Ronan Teahan as he slipped while attempting to cut it out.

It was a harsh decision, but Duffy made no mistake from the spot, sending Minogue the wrong way to put Derry 2-1 ahead at a crucial stage.

Derry created a couple of half-chances after the interval, with Duffy turning a Darragh Burns cross wide with his back to goal, while Adam O’Reilly skipped past a couple of challenges before dragging a shot wide from outside the box.

Dundalk, though, enjoyed the greater share of the chances in the second half.

A Bobby Burns cross was met at the far post by Vassenin, whose header was straight at Norcott. Tracey then burst confidently through the Derry defence and forced the goalkeeper into a save with his feet.

From a ball over the top, substitute Leo Gaxha almost capitalised on Jamie Stott’s poor attempt to head back to Norcott, but the Derry goalkeeper recovered to deny the Dundalk forward.

The Lilywhites had another good opportunity to level when Horgan’s corner was helped on by Bobby Burns, only for Trevor Clarke to head over from close range.

Derry effectively secured their passage to the semi-finals 10 minutes from time, however, when Duffy slipped in Kevin Santos. The winger cut inside the Dundalk defence before his shot found the net via a strong deflection off Harry Groome.

Dundalk’s capitulation continued five minutes later. Liam Boyce’s pass into the box was seized upon by Duffy, who showed excellent composure and quality to squeeze his finish through the smallest of openings inside the box.

The Lilywhites attempted to add some respectability to the scoreline in the closing stages, with Clarke crashing a sweet effort off the crossbar from just outside the box.

The same player then sent in a low cross which Gaxha converted from close range on the stroke of 90 minutes, but it was Dundalk’s final act in this season’s FAI Cup as Derry booked their place in the last four.

Derry City: Tom Norcott; Cameron Dummigan, Patrick McClean, Jamie Stott, Brandon Fleming; Adam O’Reilly, Nick Twisk; Darragh Burns (Kevin Santos 68), Ellis Chapman, Michael Duffy (James Olayinka 90+2); Tyler Smith (Liam Boyce 76)

Subs not used: Brian Maher (gk), Gavin Whyte, Conor Barr, Brooklyn Lyons-Foster, Christy Grogan, Michael McColgan

Dundalk FC: Enda Minogue; Bobby Burns, Mayowa Animasahun, Rob Cornwall (JR Wilson 65), Egor Vassenin; Aodh Dervin (Keith Buckley 57), Shane Tracey (Harry Groome 72); Declan McDaid (Trevor Clarke 57), Ronan Teahan, Daryl Horgan; Cian Dillon (Leo Gaxha 57)

Subs not used: Peter Cherrie (gk), Harvey Warren, Luke Mulligan, Aaron Keogh

Referee: Paul McLaughlin (Donegal)

Attendance: 3,025