FAI Cup Report: Wexford Youths 1 - 3 Derry City

Derry City progressed to the Irish Daily Mail FAI Cup semi final after a deserved 3-1 win against Wexford Youths in Ferrycarrig Park.

The Youths took the lead after just six first-half minutes. Midfielder Jonny Bonner won possession and picked out Paul Murphy on the left side. His through ball found the run of Eric Molloy and he raced toward goal and fired low past Derry City keeper Ger Doherty.

Derry City’s Lucas Schubert foced Doyle into a low save before Barry McNamee forced a comfortable save from Doyle. Ben Doherty fired over the crossbar, while Niclas Vemmelund headed wide from Schubert’s cross as they continued to have most of the possession.

And Derry City made their pressure count on the stroke of half time. Conor McDermott made a great run from right back and played the ball to Rory Patterson inside the Youths area. He controlled and turned before firing past Doyle aided by deflection from Wexford Youths defender Gary Delaney.

Paul Murphy should have put Wexford Youths back in front after just 12 seconds of the second half. Eric Molloy found space down the right and his cross found the unmarked Murphy but he couldn’t get his header on target.

Barry McNamee was next to come close for the visitors. McDermott’s cross found Patterson who chested the ball into the path of midfielder McNamee but he couldn’t find a way past Doyle.

Derry City made their pressure count halfway through the second half and took a deserved lead. Aaron McEneff’s free kick from outside the area struck the bottom of the post and rebounded back to the onrushing Schubert. His header was well saved by Doyle but he followed up to fire Derry City into a 2-1 lead.

The home side could have levelled when Aidan Keenan’s cross found the run of Eric Molloy at the back post but the midfielder blasted over the crossbar.

And Derry City sealed their progression into the semi final when Barry McNamee fired low past Doyle inside the near post to earn a semi-final position.

Wexford Youths: Graham Doyle; Aidan Friel, Gary Delaney, Lee Grace, Craig McCabe; Shane Dunne (Andy Mulligan 74), Jonny Bonner, Chris Kenny (Peter Higgins 82), Eric Molloy; Aidan Keenan; Paul Murphy.

Subs Not Used: Eoin Porter, Danny Furlong, Andrew O’Connor, Gavin Dowling.

Yellow Cards: Shane Dunne (34), Gary Delaney (78), Aidan Keenan (88).

Derry City: Ger Doherty; Conor McDermott, Niclas Vemmelund, Dean Jarvis, Ben Doherty; Aaron McEneff (Keith Ward 88), Conor McCormack; Lucas Schubert (Nathan Boyle 88), Barry McNamee, Ronan Curtis (Josh Daniels 64); Rory Patteron.

Subs Not Used: Shane Patton, Harry Monaghan, Cristian Castells, Patrick McClean.

Referee: Anthony Buttimer

Attendance: 400 (estimate)

Man of the Match: Aaron McEneff (Derry City)