Derry City hit Dundalk for four to set up FAI Cup semi-final trip to Galway United

Club Orange FAI Cup Quarter-Final

Patrick McClean scores his side's first goal during the Club Orange Men’s FAI Cup quarter-final match between Derry City and Dundalk at The Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium in Derry. Photo by Ben McShane/Sportsfile

placeholder image — Patrick McClean scores his side's first goal during the Club Orange Men’s FAI Cup quarter-final match between Derry City and Dundalk at The Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium in Derry. Photo by Ben McShane/Sportsfile

Second half goals from substitute Kevin dos Santos and captain Michael Duffy secured Derry City a Club Orange FAI Cup semi-final trip to Galway United as Dundalk were put the sword in emphatic fashion at The Ryan Mc Bride Brandywell Stadium on Sunday.

Mark Connolly's Candy Stripes were forced to fight back after Shane Tracey's first half opener for The Lilywhites as goals from Patrick McClean and Duffy ensured it was the home team who led at the break.

Brandon Fleming is tackled by Mayowa Animasahun of Dundalk during the Club Orange Men’s FAI Cup quarter-final match between Derry City and Dundalk at The Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium in Derry. Photo by Ben McShane/Sportsfile

And with Dundalk forced to go for broke after the break, the 67th minute introduction of Dos Santos, making his first appearance since the July 16th Europa League Qualifying Round second leg against CSKA Sofia, The Portugese winger slotting home Derry's third before Duffy added a fourth on 84 minutes.

There was still time for a late Leonard Gaxha consolation for the visitors but Derry were well worth the win which keeps alive their season.

Connolly chose to make one change from the side held by champions Shamrock Rovers seven days previous, Cameron Dummigan coming in at right back to replace Conor Barr who dropped to the bench.

Ciaran Kilduff meanwhile made five changes to the team who defeated Drogheda United in Sullivan & Lambe Park with Aodh Dervin, Ronan Teahan, Shane Tracey, former Candy Stripe Rob Cornwall and Declan McDaid all recalled to the starting line-up.

Michael Duffy celebrates after scoring his side's second goal, a penalty, during the Club Orange Men’s FAI Cup quarter-final match between Derry City and Dundalk at The Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium in Derry. Photo by Ben McShane/Sportsfile

And it was one of those changes which paid dividends within nine minutes as Bobby Burns' right wing corner wasn't cleared b y the home defence, instead falling perfectly for Tracey who couldn't believe the space he had to slam home from 12 yards.

But Dundalk's joy was short-lived, 14 minutes to be precise, after full-back Egor Vasenin needlessly conceded a dangerous free-kick by charging into the back of Michael Duffy. Duffy dusted himself down to cross perfectly for Patrick McClean who glanced a superb header beyond Enda Minogue and into the far corner. It was McClean's first Derry goal since scoring against the Lilywhites in the second league game of the season.

Kilduff's clever plan to use Teahan to man mark Derry playmaker Nick Twisk when the visitors were out of possession was making it difficult for the Candy Stripes to find any consistent rhythm but their left flank combination of Duffy and Brandon Fleming remained their most productive outlet.

And it was from the left that Derry hit the front as Ellis Chapman sent Fleming down the left, the full-back's pull back to the edge of the area striking the hand of the unfortunate Teahan who slipped as he tried to adjust his feet, referee Paul McLaughlin showing little sympathy as he pointed to the spot.

Up stepped home captain Duffy to fire home from the spot and it was enough to send Derry into half-time in front.

Duffy should have extended the home lead seven minutes after the restart when Darragh Burns' picked him out with deep cross from the right but the City talisman glanced his header wide from eight yards.

Kilduff's response was a triple substitution as Keith Buckley, Leonardo Gaxha and Trevor Clarke were introduced in a bid to wrestle back control and Dundalk responded by upping the tempo with Vassenin seeing a back post header easily saved by Norcott.

Indeed, the closest Dundalk came to forcing extra-time was courtesy of home defender Jamie Stott whose 75th minute header back to keeper Norcott lacked the needed purchase but the City keeper was out quickly to smother Gaxha's shot.

With Dundalk pushing, Derry made the came safe as Dos Santos announced his return to first team action in style, latching on to Duffy's pass before sending his shot into the bottom corner via a deflection. With Duffy tagging on the fourth, his 12th of the season and sixth in his last four games, Derry are now one game from a third FAI Cup final appearance in five years.

Derry City: Tom Norcott, Cameron Dummigan, Brandon Fleming, Patrick McClean, Jamie Stott, Michael Duffy (James Olayinka, 91mins), Adam O'Reilly, Darragh Burns (Kevin Dos Santos, 67mins), Ellis Chapman, Nick Twisk, Tyler Smith (Liam Boyce, 75mins).

Dundalk: Enda Minogue, Robert Burns, Mayowa Animasahun, Aodh Dervin (Keith Buckley, 56mins), Daryl Horgan, Cian Dillon (Leonardo Gaxha, 56mins), Ronan Teahan, Egor Vassenin, Shane Tracey (Harry Groome, 71mins), Rob Cornwall (JR Wilson, 64mins), Declan McDaid (Trevor Clarke, 56mins).

Referee: Paul McLaughlin