Shane Barrett struck the first hat-trick of his Drogheda United career to inflict a severe blow to Derry City's title hopes and boost his own club’s chances of UEFA Cup qualification in a 3-1 victory at United Park.
The Candystripes defeat, coupled with the result from the Showgrounds, puts Shelbourne firmly in the driving seat in the battle for the league championship.
Drogheda looked a difficult test for the Candystripes, but the task at hand became doubly difficult when Drogheda grabbed the lead after just ten minutes.
Keeper Dan Connor’s clearance broke off Glen Fitzpatrick into the path of Shane Barrett, and the former Longford player drove in-field before curling a superb shot beyond David Forde from 25 yards.
Derry could have fallen further behind just four minutes later when Barrett pushed forward from half-way and dribbled past Kevin Deery in the right-back position, only to be foiled by the advancing Forde.
Barrett was causing havoc down the flank and it was no surprise when he doubled Drogheda’s lead before half an hour had elapsed.
An incisive pass through the heart of the Derry defence by Shane Robinson created the opportunity and Barrett slipped the ball past Connor with the outside of his right boot.
Stephen Kenny’s men had not created a chance worthy of note at this stage, but Drogheda almost gifted them a goal when Graham Gartland was short with a back pass and Mark Farren pounced, only for Connor to race from his line to make a brave save.
But Drogheda ended the first half strongly, and Forde was called into action once more to deny Fitzpatrick when he was put clean through on goal by Declan O’Brien.
Whatever Stephen Kenny said in the dressing-room at half time worked a treat, for within a minute of the restart Derry were back in the game.
Pat McCourt slipped past Jason Gavin and centred for Deery who had an easy tap-in.
However, Darren Kelly saved the Candystripes with a goal-line clearance from O’Brien, after keeper Forde had been robbed by Fitzpatrick at the corner flag.
Derry were forced to take throw extra men forward in the closing stages, and they were caught on the break two minutes from time when Steven Gray’s pass released Barrett and he stroked the ball past Forde for the third time.
DROGHEDA UNITED – Connor, Shelley, Gavin, Gartland, Gray, Whelan, Robinson, Keegan, Barrett, O’Brien, Fitzpatrick.
Subs: Ristila for Fitzpatrick (85min), Lynch for O’Brien (90min).
DERRY CITY – Forde, Holmes, Hutton, Kelly, McCourt, Deery, Molloy, Martyn, Brennan, Farren, Beckett.
Subs: Higgins for Martyn (46min), McHugh for Beckett (52min), Delaney for Brennan (77min).
Referee – Hugo Whoriskey (Meath).
