Blarney United 0 - 4 Derry City

There was no giant killing on show in the north side of Cork on Saturday afternoon, as a hat-trick from the uncontainable Rory Patterson ensured that current FAI Cup holders Derry City would not fall at the first hurdle of this year’s competition.

In truth, the massive 4-0 score line flattered the visitors who made the long trip down from Derry, as Blarney United, despite being mid-table in the second tier of the Munster Senior League, really kept the game a competitive spectacle for most of the afternoon.

In the end title-chasing City proved to be just too strong for their adversaries on the day, and made absolutely sure that there would be no inconvenient replay at the Brandywell with three quick fire goals in the dying minutes.

While every neutral must admire the Premier Division side’s raw efficiency and overwhelming power, they must too feel for the people of Blarney, who put in a great deal of effort to prepare the day and turn the clash into a real event for the club and its people.

The game began with a minute’s applause for Cork footballing legend Noel O’Mahony, who had passed away in the past few days. Belying of the tender moment however, the game got off to a frantic start, with both teams giving everything from the word go.

Derry tested the water on a number of occasions, but came closest 20 minutes in. Patrick McEleney got to the by-line before whipping the ball across goal for Rory Patterson to volley inches over the bar.

The Candystripes were really coming forward with ferocious intent, but Blarney, marshalled by the superb Pat Keane, brother of Roy and playing his last game for the club, managed to shut out their illustrious visitors with ease.

Ten minutes before half time however came a real opportunity. Barry McNamee crossed in a delicate ball to the far post, which Rory Patterson headed back across goal and Michael Rafter blazed wide.

Five minutes later, United’s commitment to defending properly truly shone through. Patterson rounded Stephen Gathan in goal, but Aidan Leahy managed to get back across in time to deny the hit man a clean shot at goal.

Soon after the restart, the home defence was finally culled and the away side got their noses in front. Unsurprisingly it was the magnificent Patterson who supplied the killer touch, heading in McNamee’s accurate free kick.

Refusing to be dispirited however, Blarney threw the kitchen sink at goal in hope of getting back on level terms. They came agonisingly close from doing so on 67 minutes, when Kieran Murray nearly capped a mazy run through the middle with a goal, but his attempt glanced wide.

Their goalkeeper Stephen Gathan must garner a bit of credit, despite the result. He singlehandedly kept his side in the game, pulling off some superb saves – none more so than when he acrobatically tipped substitute Michael Duffy’s drive from distance onto the bar.

With five minutes left, the floodgates opened. First Ryan Curran stabbed home a rebound after seeing his initial shot saved, following a ball in from the right side. This really killed off any lingering optimism amongst the home side.

Then, the irrepressible Rory Patterson doubled his tally for the afternoon. His finish was coolness personified – the ball came to him at a tight angle on the edge of the area, but he possessed the ability to calmly bury the ball into the back of the net.

Finally, to quell the game and really spoil the scoreline for the hosts, Patterson was played goalscorer once again, this time alternating his previous delicate finish with a vicious volley, reminiscent of a traditional number nine and proving his quality.

The large number of Derry supporters embarked on the long journey home in good spirits, and with a good omen in mind – the last time the two sides met in this competition in 2006 and City knocked them out, they went on to lift the trophy at the end of the season.

Blarney United: Stephen Gahan; Dave Sweeney (Eric Baxter, 89), Alan Weldon, Aidan Leahy, Denis Buckley; Cathal O’Neill, Kieran Murray (Ivan O’Leary, 78), Pat Keane, Ray O’Leary, John Lawlor (Alan Stewart, 65); Shane Stewart.
Subs not used:  Stephen Jennings, Mark Cremin, Cian Woods, Eric Tobin.

Derry City: Ger Doherty; Simon Madden, Stewart Greacen, Shane McEleney, Barry McNamee; Paddy Kavanagh (Michael Duffy, 67), Ruadhri Higgins, Kevin Deery, Patrick McEleney; Rory Patterson, Michael Rafter (Ryan Curran, 80).
Subs not used: Joseph Coll, Ryan McBride.

Referee: Anthony Buttimer.

Attendance: 500 (estimate).

ExtraTime.ie Man of the Match: Rory Patterson (Derry City) - The front man showed a ruthless touch in front of goal, bagging a hat-trick and exhibiting a real competitive edge.