FAI Cup q/final replay: Derry City 5-0 Drogheda Utd

Image source, Inpho

Rory Patterson bagged a hat-trick as Derry City thumped Drogheda United 5-0 in the FAI Cup quarter-final replay.

A superb strike from Patrick McEleney gave a dominant City side an early lead at the Brandywell before Patterson slotted in on the hour mark.

Michael Duffy fired into the bottom corner to make it 3-0 and Patterson added a fourth with a low finish.

Patterson completed his treble in the dying seconds when his deflected free-kick crept into the Drogs net.

A depleted Drogheda made five changes with three of their four suspended players sent-off in Friday's 2-2 draw.

Derry were in charge from the start and McEleney broke the deadlock in style on six minutes, smashing in on the half-volley from 25 yards.

Patterson's volley was deflected wide while Dooley was also off-target as the Candstripes kept up the pressure.

The Drogs threatened early in the second half but Derry were soon back on top with Duffy denied by the legs of keeper Michael Sclingermann.

Patterson doubled the lead on the the hour mark, finding the Drogheda net from a Dooley throughball.

Duffy supplied a fine finish 12 minutes later and he hit the bar before Patterson slid the ball underneath Sclingermann for the fourth goal after 80 minutes.

Patterson's secured his hat-trick with a huge slice of luck as his long-range free-kick rolled in thanks to a big deflection.