Derry City 0-1 Limerick
Limerick's amazing season continues as they ended a 15-year run and booked their place in the EA Sports Cup final, after seeing off Derry City at the Brandywell.
Stephen Kenny's first-half goal was enough for the runaway First Division leaders to shock the Brandywell faithful.
Limerick, who started on the front foot and took the game to City, should have taken an early lead but Chris Mulhall's shot from just inside the box was saved by Gerard Doherty.
The home side didn't heed the early warning and they went a goal behind after 15 minutes as Sean Russell's left wing cross found Kenny, who showed good strength to hold off Dean Jarvis, before firing home past Doherty.
Soon after, Aaron Green was inches away from doubling Limerick's lead, but after another flowing move the ex-Sligo Rovers man blasted just past Doherty's left hand post.
City's first chance came in the 34th minute as Barry McNamee's left wing cross found Lukas Schubert at the back post, but the winger's free-header from six yards flew well over Freddy Hall's crossbar.
Although the home side started well after the break, it was Limerick who went close to scoring a second but Paul O'Conor blasted over from close range, after Russell had created the chance.
Doherty was, once again called into action shortly after, but this time he made two top-draw saves in quick succession.
Firstly at full stretch, he kept out Greene's 20-yard drive, before getting up quickly to somehow tip Mulhall's close-range follow-up shot over the bar.
Limerick keeper Freddy Hall had to be at his best moments later as he did well to divert Rory Patterson's goal-bound shot around his right-hand post.
Derry missed an outstanding chance in the 77th minute as McNamee's right wing cross found Daniels, but the winger's close-range header was straight at Kelly.
In the closing stages, Patterson’s his close-range header was easily saved by Hall as Martin Russell’s side held on to reach the final.
Derry City: Doherty, Vemmelund, McBride, Barry (McDermott 65), Jarvis; McCormack, McEneff; Schubert, McNamee (Boyle 78), Daniels; Patterson.
Limerick: Hall, Kelly, Williams, Paud O'Connor, Tracy; Kenny, Pau O'Conor, Duggan, Russell; Greene (Mann 90); Mulhall (O'Flynn 79).
Referee: Robert Harvey (Dublin).
