Soccer

Derry go on the rampage and lay down their title credentials

Pair of clinically taken goals in each half exposes Bohemians’ defensive frailties

Patrick McEleney of Derry celebrates scoring the first goal against Bohemians at Dalymount. Photograph: Donall Farmer/Inpho
Patrick McEleney of Derry celebrates scoring the first goal against Bohemians at Dalymount. Photograph: Donall Farmer/Inpho
Paul Buttner
Fri Apr 05 2013 - 22:00

Derry City firmly laid down their title credentials with this rousing win at Dalymount Park to move to within two points of leaders Sligo Rovers.

A pair of clinically taken goals in each half exposed Bohemians’ defensive frailties as Declan Devine’s side ran out comfortable winners.

In front of President Michael D Higgins, making one of his regular visits to domestic football action, Bohemians, unchanged from their win at Shelbourne on Monday, started confidently with full-back Luke Byrne causing Derry problems down the left.

A bright start by the home side was abruptly deflated as Derry snatched a 13th minute lead. Paddy McEleney cut in from the left wing and unleashed a shot from some 25 yards that flew over Dean Delany to bounce down over the goal line off the underside of the crossbar.

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Derry doubled their lead on 26 minutes. Ciaran Nangle allowed Ruaidhri Higgins’s ball down the line to go under his foot, with the bumpy pitch possibly to blame. Right-back Simon Madden was there on the overlap to cross low into the area where Michael Rafter took a touch before drilling his shot past Delany.

It might have been three a couple of minutes later as the negligently marked Higgins headed over at the back post from Barry McNamee’s corner.

Dave Mulcahy relieved the pressure on Bohemians with their first shot on target, if straight at Doherty, on 31 minutes.

Four minutes later Derry were back with Madden again causing problems down the right when working Delany with an angled drive.

With Keith Buckley on at the break, Bohemians’ manager Aaron Callaghan pushed Kevin Devaney up front as they chased the game.

But Derry remained very dangerous on the counterattack and almost went further ahead 10 minutes into the second half. McNamee’s shot came off defender Stephen Paisley and Delaney reacted well to parry away a snap shot from Rafter.

The lively McNamee was then instrumental in Derry’s third goal on 75 minutes. His shot was cleared off the line by Ryan McEvoy and central defender Ryan McBride headed the rebound to the corner of the net. Two minutes later McNamee raced clear to slide home the fourth.