Cobh Ramblers were finally relegated at the Brandywell tonight, but Derry City certainly made hard work of the win as they limbered up for next Sunday’s FAI Cup final.
Leading 3-0 after just 23 minutes, the Candystripes certainly took their foot off the pedal to allow the Cork side back into the match with two second half strikes to threaten a nervous finish before the home side netted a fourth.
Mark Farren broke the deadlock after just five minutes, diverting Niall McGinn’s low cross to the net.
And Derry doubled their lead when Kevin Deery picked up a defensive header to drill a low shot to the net from 30 yards in the 18th minute.
Five minutes later, Deery turned provider to put Niall McGinn through, and he duly stroked the ball wide of Cobh’s reserve keeper, Anthony Fennelly.
However, Cobh reduced the deficit before the break when striker Ross Gaynor robbed Clive Delaney and drove the ball past startled Derry keeper Gerard Doherty.
Cobh got their reward for continuing to battle when striker Davin O’Neill made it 3-2, flicking the ball high into the net, although he looked to be in an offside position.
But Derry’s nerves were settled when Farren netted his second to finally kill the game off seven minutes from the end.
Derry City: Doherty; McCallion, Delaney, Hutton, Gray (McChrystal, HT); McHugh (Stewart, 73), Molloy, Deery, McGinn; Morrow, Farren.
Cobh Ramblers: Fennelly; Mulcahy, Cummins, Murray, Meade; Mulconry (O’Shea, 78), O’Halloran, O’Brien (A Kearney, 81), J Kearney, Gaynor; O’Neill.
Referee: H Whoriskey (Meath).
