FAI Cup third round: Derry City 3 Drogheda United 0
DERRY City manager Peter Hutton was thrilled after his side easily seen off Drogheda United.
Patrick McEleney and man of the match Cillian Morrison really stole the show, as the Candystripes booked their place in the quarter-final.
"It could have been more and delighted to get the win, as the cliche goes it's all about getting into the next round in the cup, fairly comprehensive," said Hutton.
"You just hope that we get a home tie favourable against one of the lesser teams, but I'm delighted to have reached the next round."
Derry a golden chance inside the first minute when Patrick McEleney played in Mark Timlin, but with only Micheal Schlingermann to beat, the United keeper did well to save.
City went close again on 15 minutes but McEleney's long range effort, which had Schlingermann scrambling, flashed just wide. Minutes later, City broke the deadlock after Cillian Morrison's fantastic right wing centre was superbly headed home at the near post by McEleney.
Derry were unlucky they didn't score a second on 35 minutes after Timlin's teasing run, which seen him get away from Michael Daly, ended with a low drive which rattled against Schlingermann's left hand post.
Schlingermann was called into action early in the second half when a full stretch he tipped over Morrison's deflected effort. Another top drawer save by Schlingermann on 58 minutes denied Morrison again, the keeper dived low to his left to keep out the striker's 20 yard drive.
Derry deservedly added a second on 65 minutes when Schlingermann did well to tip McEleney's 25 yard free-kick onto the post, but Morrison was on hand to turn home the loose ball. Moments later, Derry ended the tie as a contest after Barry McNamee's 25-yard strike found Schlingermann's bottom right hand corner.
In the closing stages, Derry were denied a fourth when Michael Daly did very well to head clear Dean Jarvis' clever chip.
MATCH STATS
Derry City: Doherty, Cornwall, McBride, Barry; Morrison, McEneff, Lowry (Daniels 83), McNamee, Jarvis; McEleney (Quigley 72), Timlin (Curtis 76).
Drogheda United: Schlingermann, Daly, Byrne, O'Reilly, Marks; Duffy, Thornton (Maher 72), Hughes, Mulvenna; Bayly (Brennan 72), McKenna (Gorman 55).
Referee: P Tuite (Dublin).
