Soccer

Dave McMillan bags hat-trick as Dundalk rout Derry

Stephen Kenny’s side in top-top shape as European campaign gets closer

Dundalk’s Brian Gartland scores his side’s first goal in the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division game against Derry City at The Brandywell. Pghotograph: Lorcan Doherty/Inpho/Presseye
Dundalk’s Brian Gartland scores his side’s first goal in the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division game against Derry City at The Brandywell. Pghotograph: Lorcan Doherty/Inpho/Presseye
Fri Jul 01 2016 - 22:53

Derry City 0 Dundalk 5

Dundalk issued a statement of intent at the Brandywell on Friday night, Stephen Kenny’s men hitting his former side for five in what became a rout.

Having won a corner from their opening attack before two minutes had elapsed, the lively Daryl Horgan floated the ball towards the back post and when Brian Gartland's header was blocked, the alert Dave McMillan netted the first of what was a fully deserved hat-trick.Dundalk struck again after 20 minutes. Patrick McEleney curled a free kick into the danger area and the unmarked Dean Massey flicked it home.

The home side then lost the services of skipper, Ryan McBride who was red-carded for a late tackle on Stephen McDonnell in the 28th minute.

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Two goals to the good and now facing 10 men, the champions retained possession so well, always patient. Though Doherty earned his wages with another superb save to deny McMillan a second goal, there was nothing he could do when McMillan was rewarded with his second and his side’s third goal in the 40th minute.

Full back, Brian Gannon, found the striker in acres of space on the right flank and McMillan stroked the ball home as Doherty advanced.

Rampant Dundalk extended their lead on 59 minutes, McMillan was denied by Doherty but Horgan smashed home the rebound.

McMillan completed his hat-trick after 80 minutes.

DERRY CITY: Doherty; Vemmelund, McBride, Barry, Jarvis (McClean, 70 mins); McCormack, McEneff; Schubert (McDermott, 38 mins), Monaghan (Boyle, h/t), McNamee; Patterson. DUNDALK: Rogers; Gannon, Gartland (Barrett, 78 mins), Boyle, Massey (Grimes, 65 mins); Finn; Horgan (Meenan, 68 mins), O'Donnell, McEleney, Mountney; McMillan. Referee: P McLaughlin (Monaghan).