James McClean guided Derry City to another away win as the Candystripes destroyed a depleted Galway United side at Terryland Park.
This emphatic victory in the west demonstrated that Derry have the potential to be serious contenders in the top-flight again as they hammered an under strength Galway United.
The Tribesmen went close in the opening seconds as Bobby Ryan, operating on the left flank, fizzed a shot inches over the bar.
Then in the fifth minute Shaun Maher made a decent interception and fed Sean Kelly, who dragged an effort wide from distance.
But Derry ruled the game for the next 10 minutes and their patient approach play manufactured several opportunities.
Patrick McEleney buzzed about and was denied by a routine Greg Fleming save as the Candystripes offered glimpses of their considerable potential.
A 12th minute Daniel Lafferty cross caused panic in the Galway defence when Eamon Zayed connected, but Fleming tipped the ball around the post.
On the quarter hour mark James McClean centred for Gareth McGlynn, who provided a deft flick, but Galway survived another scare.
Galway were finding it tricky to cope with McClean’s deliveries and in the 35th-minute the winger clipped a free-kick into the area, but Kevin Deery was unable to supply the required touch.
Derry, though, eventually rattled the Galway net on 44 when Zayed remained cool and composed, firing past Fleming as the Candystripes went in at the interval armed with a deserved advantage.
Seconds after the restart McClean waltzed through the Galway defence to extend Derry’s advantage as Galway were in deep trouble.
Ryan gave them some hope with a 49th minute goal, but Derry ploughed on defiantly and they scored again in the 55th minute, when McClean unleashed a thunderbolt into the top corner.
McGlynn’s classy header on 64 from an Eddie McCallion cross edged Derry into a comfortable position as Galway’s defensive hesitancy was ruthlessly punished.
Galway United: Fleming; Shaun Kelly, Sinnott, Maher, Walsh; Cash (Keogh, 70), Eduardo, Sean Kelly, Ryan; Moore; Feeney (Curran, 60).
Derry City: Doherty; McCallion, S McEleney, Greacen, Lafferty; McGlynn, Deery, Higgins, McClean (McLaughlin, 78); P McEleney (McCrudden, 84), Zayed (McDaid, 90).
Referee: N Doyle (Dublin).
