Derry City 2 - St Patrick's Athletic 0Derry City picked up three invaluable points in the Setanta Sports Cup on Monday, beating eircom League of Ireland rivals St. Patrick's Athletic 2-0 at the Brandywell. A goal from Ciaran Martyn broke the deadlock late in the second half, and an early score 90 seconds after the interval all but sealed the victory for Stephen Kenny's men. The tone of the game was set in the opening minute when Jamie Harris clattered into Owen Morrison. The resulting free-kick was cleared but both Harris and Morrison were replacing within minutes, neither able to continue. The injury to Morrison in particular had a significant impact on the encounter seeing as it was his replacement - Paddy McCourt - who turned the tide firmly in the hosts' favour. His dancing feet and ability brought the crowd to its feet within minutes and he had the first real chance of the game when he fired well over on 15 minutes. The deadlock should have been broken by Martyn shortly afterwards, again McCourt was crucial. The talisman sent a wonderful through ball to the feet of his team-mate who neatly side-stepped the challenge of the advancing Brendan Clarke only to see his shot on a then empty goal rebound back off the bar. The next chance fell the way of the visitors with a perfectly-weighed pass from Gary O'Neill being picked up just outside the six-yard box by Alan Kirby, only for the midfielder to plant his effort into Gerard Doherty's side net. Within a minute, Derry might have taken the lead. Clarke could only parry a McGinn cross and when Damien Lynch failed to clear the danger, Martyn tried to palm the ball to the back of the net before being called on the move by the match referee. The former UCD man made amends for his misses on 38 minutes when he guided a McGinn cross from the right to the back of Clarke's net, breaking the stalemate in the process. The Saints keeper did make an excellent save from Eddie McCallion two minutes before the interval though, after a clearance by St Pat's was directed straight at the incoming full back. McDonnell introduced Ryan Guy for the second half in the hope of creating more up front, but it was the home team who were next on the score sheet, with McCourt the man who will try and claim the goal. He side-footed an effort on target from the penalty spot after another quality McGinn cross from the right; the ball was helped to the back of the net by Stephen Brennan, however. An injury to Clive Delaney took some gloss off the Candystripes' night but even the loss of the centre-half did not do anything for The Saints' cause. Mark Quigley had their only chance of the second half just after the hour mark when the striker forced an excellent save from Doherty, the Derry keeper tipping a goal bound effort just away from the top right-hand corner at the last minute. The introduction of Glen Fitzpatrick and a change in formation at the back - moving to three instead of four - saw St Pat's come more into the contest but, in truth, Derry never looked in too much trouble and the three points were well deserved. © setanta.com
