A second-half Owen Morrison strike ended St Pat’s 100% league record in a pulsating encounter at Richmond Park, writes Mark Cummins.
Morrison chipped Brendan Clarke, who was off his line, from the right wing following a mix-up in the Pats defence.
The star of the show though was Paddy McCourt who had another superb display for the visitors, testing Clarke on several occasions.
Pat’s faced a stiff Derry onslaught from the start.
The mercurial McCourt had a shot after just 55 seconds that was blocked by David Partridge's leg while Clarke denied Mark Farren on seven minutes.
Keith Fahey tried a trademark rocket from 30 yards out on 12 minutes in Pat’s first decent attack of the night, but it took a deflection off Ruaidhri Higgins and went wide.
A heavy shower began to fall that did not seem to effect the two sides who were playing plenty of balls on the deck. It was Derry, looking like Argentina in their blue and white stripes, who continued to dominate.
Clarke came to the rescue for Pat's on 34 minutes when he dashed out of his goal and beat Farren to the ball in a dangerous one-on-one situation.
McCourt in particular was looking good, chasing every ball and getting stuck in.
Indeed he resembled Pele in the film 'Escape To Victory', looking like he just wanted to take the ball and take on everyone before scoring.
The second half saw equally good action with former saint Clive Delaney sliding in to block a Fahey effort on 48 minutes.
On 58, Fahey again got a look in when he struck a decent effort from the left of the box but Gerard Doherty in the Derry goal palmed the strike into touch.
A goal always looked likely in this game and it came on 64 minutes with the Pat's defence at sixes and sevens.
Jamie Harris and Kirby had left the ball for Clarke who kept it in play on the wing but lashed it forward, straight to Morrison, who chipped the ‘keeper from about 25 yards out.
It was the only error by Clarke in an otherwise excellent performance by the young 'keeper, chosen ahead of the available-again Barry Ryan.
Fahey had two late chances for Pat’s, both on 89 minutes. The first was blocked by Doherty and the second, the rebound, went wide.
St Patrick’s Athletic: Clarke, Partridge, Lynch, Kirby, Fahey, O’Neill, Quigley, Ryan (Dempsey 58), O Cearuill, Harris, Paisley (Fitzpatrick 81).
Derry City: Doherty, Hutton, Gray, Higgins (Martyn 65), McHugh, McGlynn, Molloy, Farren, Morrison (Sammon 77), Delaney, McCourt (McCallion 74).
Ref: A Kelly (Cork).
