Students dump holders out at the Brandywell
Friday 21st September 2007, 9:48 pm
Conor Sammon, UCD.
Photo by Tom Carey.
21st September 2007
FAI Cup Quarter Final
Derry City 0
UCD 1
Conor Sammon 60
Brandywell Stadium
Referee : Damien Hancock
FAI Cup holders Derry City were tonight dumped out of the competition by a very depleted UCD side at the Brandywell.
Conor Sammon hit the only goal of the game on the hour to give the Students a win that never seemed in much jeopardy as Derry failed to make much of an impact against a very young UCD side.
A poor first half had seen little in the way of action although Ken Oman was forced to clear off the Derry line while Kevin McHugh narrowly missed the target at the other end.
UCD keeper Darren Quigley had a lucky escape when his attempted clearance rebounded off Derry striker Mark Farren before drifting to safety.
The only goal came on the hour as Conan Byrne skinned Derry full-back Killian Brennan. Leaving the Derry defender in his wake, Byrne picked out Sammon who turned home at the near post.
Just prior to the goal, Farren had blazed wide from a good position after sprinting in behind the visiting defence.
Derry nervously waited for referee Damien Hancock's decision after Byrne took a tumble in the home box, but the home side survived the decision.
Brennan drilled a free kick just off target five minutes from the end but Derry offered very little in response to going behind as the College held on to claim the first place in this year's semi-finals.
The outcome means that barring a dramatic turnaround in the League of Ireland Premier Division table, Derry City will not be playing in European football next season - summing up what has been a very disappointing season for the Candystripes.
Derry City : Jennings, McCallion, Oman (Hargan 78), Hutton, Brennan, Higgins (Deery 68), Molloy, Martyn, McCourt (McGlynn 80), Farren, McHugh.
UCD : Quigley, Mahon, McMillan (Gallagher 46), Shortall, Kenna, C Byrne (Purcell 85), King, McFaul, Finn (Bolger 90), McWalter, Sammon.