Tyler Smith scores winner at UCD as Derry City progress in the FAI Cup

TYLER Smith delivered a timely tonic for Derry City on his first start as his goal sent the Brandywell club into the quarter-finals of the Club Orange FAI Cup at the Belfield Bowl.

Caretaker boss Mark Connolly has experienced a baptism of fire in the Brandywell hotseat as he's been forced to field questions surrounding James McClean's continued absence from the squad.

This win over a slick UCD side provides a much-needed reprieve from the off-pitch controversy engulfing the club and keeps Derry's turbulent season alive.

It certainly wasn't plain-sailing on the Candystripes first return to Belfield since September 2023 as UCD struck the woodwork three times.

Michael Duffy eased any nervous tension with a stunning free-kick into the top corner after seven minutes.

However, Louis Dignam fired past Brian Maher at his near post on 16 minutes to deservedly level the game for the Students.

Premier Division outfit Derry were fortunate not to trail at the interval, as Dignam and Luca Cailloce both struck the crossbar.

Maher made two important saves to deny Ciaran Behan and Goodness Ogbonna who was clean through on goal in the second half.

UCD sub Charles Akinrintayo hit the foot of the post as Derry rode their luck but ultimately the Brandywell club is in the hat for Tuesday's draw.

Connolly made one change from the team that comfortably defeated Sligo Rovers last week: the injured Liam Boyce missed out and Smith earned his first start since arriving at the start of the month.

Sixteen year-olds Eoghan Curran and Michael McColgan were amongst the subs on the bench after impressing Connolly and first team coach Niall McGinn during an U17 fixture this week. McColgan came on for his debut for the final five minutes of the match.

Ireland centurion James McClean was the glaring omission from the squad following a week of controversy surrounding his future at the club.

While Darragh Markey, Carl Winchester and Boyce were all out injured, the trio travelled with the squad.

Connolly declared midweek that McClean was 'still a Derry City player,' and the 37 year-old took full part in training the previous three days but once again stayed at home.

Derry started with intent and when Carl Lennox fouled James Clarke 25 yards from goal. Up stepped Duffy to take the free-kick and the skipper curled his right-footed strike beautifully into the top corner - his seventh goal of the season.

Four minutes later Adam O'Reilly found the run of Smyth. The Englishman raced past his man, but Douglas saved his strike from an acute angle.

The Students looked dangerous on the counter and Hugh Smith tested Cameron Dummigan's pace as he chased a long punt upfield but Derry's make-shift defender timed his challenge perfectly to avert the danger.

The danger signs were there for the visitors and they were pegged back on 16 minutes after another swift attack.

UCD cleared from the back and Smith won possession in the middle of the park before laying the ball into the path of Cailloce. The full-back split the Derry defence with an incisive pass to find the run of Dignam who was played onside by Cotter and he slotted past Brian Maher at his near post.

Darragh Burns crossed dangerously into the six yard box on 22 minutes but Clarke wasn't able to direct his header past Douglas who gathered cleanly.

Just short of the half hour mark McClean clipped a ball towards Duffy eight yards from the UCD goal but the winger snatched at his shot and Douglas saved at the near post.

Moments later Cotter flashed a cross across the face of the UCD goal but it just evaded Smith who threw himself at the ball and ended up in the net.

Ten minutes before the break, Smith did well to win the ball inside the box after a tussle with Cailloce but when he broke free he fired his shot from 10 yards wildly over the bar.

Immediately UCD responded and attacked in numbers.Cailloce's point blank strike was parried away by Maher. It fell to Dignam on the edge of the box and his volley clipped the crossbar as Derry survived.

Derry were fortunate not to fall behind again on 42 minutes after McCullagh raced past Lyons-Foster before finding Cailloce. The marauding full-back tried his luck from distance and crashed his effort off the crossbar.

Derry went in level at half-time and Connolly needed a rousing half-time teamtalk as the Candystripes faced the most important 45 minutes of their season.

UCD made a blistering start to the second half and top scorer Ciaran Behan troed his luck from 25 yards but his powerful effort was beaten away by Maher. The rebound fell to the dangerous Cailloce who blasted over the net.

There was some encouragement for the visiting support when O'Reilly attempted to find Duffy and his cross was deflected fortuitously into the feet of Smith who turned but shot straight at Douglas.

Maher rescued Derry in the 55th minute when Dignam took advantage of indecision between Derry's two centre-halves in the middle of the park. The midfielder won possession and sent Ogbonna clean through on goal. The pacey winger's final touch was heavy and allowed Maher to save with his feet before Stott cleared the ball behind for a corner.

Connolly made a triple substitution on 61 minutes, attempting to turn this tie in Derry's favour. Ellis Chapman, Conor Barr and James Olayinka entered the fray.

Two minutes later Derry took the lead for the second time in the game. Clarke played the ball into Smith's feet; Smith showed close control to beat Lennox and expertly fired into the bottom corner.

Chapman neatly flicked the ball toward Duffy on the edge of the box and Douglas beat away his ferocious strike. Duffy reacted quickest to the rebound, but Douglas saved at his feet.

Immediately at the other end substitute Akinrintayo's shot from 12 yards hit the foot of the post and straight into the hands of a grateful Maher.

UCD weren't finished yet and after a brilliant move Dignam's shot was bravely deflected over the bar by Patrick McClean deep into stoppage time.

Derry were fortunate but they progress to the next round.

UCD: Douglas; Cailloce, Sheeran, Lennox, Murphy; McCullagh (Mohan 85), Dignam, Wells, Ogbonna (Goad 73);

Behan (Akinrintayo 62); Smith.

Derry City: Maher; Cotter (Barr 61), Dummigan, McClean, Lyons-Foster (Stott 45); Burns (Olayinka 61), O'Reilly, Twisk (Chapman 61), Duffy; Clarke; Smith (89).

Referee - Lucas Keating.