Finn Harps 0-5 Derry City
Derry City have earned the north-west bragging rights with a routine win over neighbours Finn Harps in Ballybofey this evening.
The victory was enough to put the Foyleside outfit second in the table, ahead of Cork City, while Harps will be looking over their shoulder just five points in front of Wexford Youths.
The Donegal side have now not won in four league outings and failed to score in any of those outings as well.
Two first half penalties from Aaron McEneff gave Kenny Shiels' side a 2-0 lead at the break, before Nathan Boyle added a third after the interval.
Then, with just six minutes left, Lukas Schubert made it four and there was still time for Keith Ward to dink home an emphatic fifth.
It used to be something of a fable to suggest that the only three certainties in life were death, taxes and Derry wins over Harps.
But tonight’s was the Candystripes’ first victory over the side managed by Ollie Horgan this term, following a 2-1 loss on opening day at Finn Park and 2-2 draw at the Brandywell.
After a bright start from the team from the Lone Moor Road, the opening penalty from McEneff was tucked home in the 18th minute.
The home players and support - with some justification it must be said - had squealed to complain that Ciaran Coll’s foul on Schubert was in fact, outside the penalty area.
However, match referee Paul McLaughlin saw a waving flag from assistant Darren Corcoran, who was insistent the challenge was inside and McEneff put the penalty to the right of Harps goalkeeper Richard Brush at the Town End goals.
Sean Houston came closest to anyone in the blue and white to putting a footprint on the match but his pot shot on 28 minutes was gathered by Gerard Doherty in the Derry goal.
Whilst the first penalty award had been contentious, there was, though, little doubt about the award of a second spot kick. This time Barry Molloy was certainly the guilty party, again with the foul being on Austrian Schubert.
McEneff was composedness personified once again. He went for the same spot as he had previously, with Brush going the wrong way this time.
Then, on 53 minutes, Boyle - who was part of Harps’ promotion winning squad last season whilst on loan from Derry - added a third following a cross by Dean Jarvis.
Harps battled away but looked low on confidence, although substitute Dave Scully did pass up on a decent opportunity to pull back a goal when he drove straight at Doherty in a decent position.
Schubert completed the rout when he was freed by Ward as Harps pushed forward and although Brush got a hand on the shot, he couldn’t stop it from going home.
Ward, on 87 minutes, put the cherry on top of it for Derry when he dinked Brush for a fifth, which completed a resounding victory.
Finn Harps: Richard Brush; Keith Cowan, Packie Mailey, Thomas McMonagle (Dave Scully 57); Ethan Boyle, Josh Mailey (Raymond Foy 62), Barry Molloy, Tony McNamee (Adam Hanlon 57), Ciaran Coll; Sean Houston; Ryan Curran.
Derry City: Gerard Doherty; Conor McDermott, Niclas Vemmelund, Ryan McBride, Jarvis; Lukas Schubert, Aaron McEneff, Conor McCormack (Harry Monaghan 83), Barry McNamee (Keith Ward 77); Nathan Boyle (Joshua Daniels 70), Rory Patterson.
Referee: Paul McLaughlin
