Treaty United produced a stubborn defensive display and pushed a star-studded Derry City all the way in the Extra.ie FAI Cup semi-final but it was the home side who advanced to the decider following a 2-1 victory. Higgins side made a fast start and found themselves 2-0 ahead after goals from Jamie McGonigle and Brandon Kavanagh put them in the ascendancy. Enda Curran responded from the penalty spot.
Treaty made one change to the team that were beaten by Waterford in the league last week with Jack Brady replacing Conor Winn in goal. The away side began well but found themselves behind after 7 minutes when brilliant movement from Patrick McEleney allowed the creative midfielder to square the ball for Jamie McGonigle who placed the ball into the net.
Moments later, Brandon Kavanagh flashed a shot over the crossbar before Michael Duffy set up McGonigle who struck wide of the target. Unfortunately for Treaty, Derry’s onslaught continued, and Cameron McJannet produced a superb cross for Kavanagh at the back post and the winger beat Marc Ludden to the ball to head past Brady.
As it looked like the home side would run away with the tie, Treaty managed to give themselves a lifeline when Willie Armshaw beat Cameron Dummigan on the left and despite losing possession, Derry failed to clear the ball from the penalty area and Dummigan took down Jack Lynch. Enda Curran continued his rich goalscoring form as he coolly slotted the ball past Brian Maher.
Treaty tightened up defensively for the remainder of the first period and restricted the home side to just one shot on goal. Sean Guerins led the defensive effort from a deep position.
10 minutes into the second period, quick build up play between Kavanagh and Dummigan resulted in the former teeing up Declan Glass whose shot looked goal bound before the intervention of Guerins. Cameron McJannet forced a save from Brady as Ruardhi Higgins side looked to increase the tempo to kill the tie as a contest.
Derry introduced former Longford Town player Ryan Graydon and the winger’s clever run was found with a perfectly waited pass by Patrick McEleney but his first touch left him down and it allowed McNamara to partially block his shot which was also pushed away by Brady.
With five minutes remaining, Barrett made an attacking change as he introduced 19-year-old Fionn Doherty to partner Curran up front and it was the latter of the two who sent Armshaw away on the right-hand side and his blistering pace took him past Shane McEleney and his shot travelled agonisingly wide of the post.
Substitute Joe Thompson was played through twice in quick succession, but the striker failed to hit the target on each occasion. Although Treaty attempted to push players forward in search of an equaliser, Armshaw’s chance proved to the last in a valiant display from the first division outfit who were cheered on by a vocal support who showed their appreciation for the team’s efforts at the final whistle. Treaty can now look forward to their final league game against Wexford before entering the promotion/relegation play-off in 10 days’ time.
Derry City: Maher, Dummigan, McJannet, S.McEleney, Connolly, Diallo, Kavanagh (Thompson), P.McEleney, Glass (Graydon 58), McGonigle (Cian Kavanagh 68), Duffy
Treaty United: Brady. O’Riordan, Guerins, McNamara, Ludden, Devitt, Walsh, Lynch (Keane 75), Christopher (Doherty 86), Armshaw, Curran