Derry City booked their place in the Extra.ie FAI Cup final after deservedly seeing off Treaty United in front of a packed Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium.
Although the scoreline suggests a close encounter, in truth Ruaidhri Higgins' side missed a host of clear-cut chances and Treaty 'keeper Jack Brady made a string of saves, but credit must go to the First Division men who never gave up as their fairytale run in the cup came to an end.
Before the game, the Brandywell observed a minute's silence after a wreath laying ceremony in memory of the victims of the Creeslough tragedy.
Derry got off to the perfect start as they took the lead in the eighth minutes as Jamie McGonigle made no mistake from close range after Patrick McEleney's sublime skill saw him create the opening.
Derry City take the lead. Jamie McGonigle finishes off a good team move, but the Treaty defending is poor.
— RTÉ Soccer (@RTEsoccer) October 16, 2022
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The Candystripes doubled their advantage on 16 minutes as Cameron McJannet's left-wing cross found Brandon Kavanagh, whose superb header flew past United ’keeper Brady.
Just before the half-hour mark Treaty pulled a goal back from the penalty spot after Jack Lynch was brought down by Cameron Dummigan inside the box. Enda Curran made no mistake as he scored against his old club from 12 yards.
The home side should have scored a third soon after but McGonigle headed over from six yards after Dummigan's cross from the right had picked him out.
Derry missed a glorious chance to add a third on 55 minutes as McGonigle ound Declan Glass, but his close-range strike was deflected wide by United defender Sean Guerins.
Soon after, Brady was called into action again as he did well to keep out McJannet's stinging left-footed effort as the home side continued to play on the front foot.
Brandon Kavanagh makes it two for @DerryCityFC.
— RTÉ Soccer (@RTEsoccer) October 16, 2022
Good work by Duffy to tee up Dummigan for the cross. It's 2-0 already, this could be a long day for Treaty
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Just before the hour mark a sublime pass by Shane McEleney released Ryan Graydon but the substitute's shot was kept out by Brady.
Moments later, another Dummigan cross found McGonigle, but his glancing header from 10 yards landed on top of the net.
City captain Patrick McEleney drove his team forward after 75 minutes but his long-range strike was pushed around his right post by a diving Brady.
In the 87th minute United were inches away from levelling things but the lively William Armshaw's well-hit drive, which had City 'keeper Brian Maher worried, sailed just wide.
Treaty United are back in it.
— RTÉ Soccer (@RTEsoccer) October 16, 2022
Enda Curran converts a penalty after Dummigan fouled Lynch in the box. Complacency crept in for Derry.
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Derry missed another good chance a minute later to seal the tie as Dummigan found Duffy, but his shot from a tight angle hit the side-netting.
Derry City: Brian Maher, Cameron Dummigan, Shane McEleney, Mark Connolly, Cameron McJannet; Sadio Diallo, Patrick McEleney; Brandon Kavanagh (Joe Thomson 81); Michael Duffy, Declan Glass (Ryan Graydon 58); Jamie McGonigle (Cian Kavanagh 69).
Treaty United: Jack Brady, Marc Ludden, Sean Guerins, Callum McNamara, Stephen Christopher (Fionn Doherty 86), Lee Devitt, William Armshaw, Enda Curran, Ben O'Riordan, Mark Walsh, Jack Lynch (Matthew Keane 75).
Referee: Neil Doyle (Dublin).
