Defeat leaves Derry's title chances in tatters
Drogheda United 3 Derry City 1
Shane Barrett scored a brilliant hat-trick, hsi first as a professional, as Drogheda inflicted a mortal wound in Derry’s title ambitions to keep themselves in contention for Europe.
Barrett’s opener on eleven minutes was the pick of the treble as Drogheda, who’ve now taken seven points from Derry this season, maintained the Indian sign over the Candystripes.
Barrett cut in from the left and let fly from the edge of the area to beat David Forde for the first time in eight games.
Derry, forced into several changes, were shapeless and Barrett added a deserved second goal on 27 minutes.
Winger Shane Robinson picked out Barrett and he drilled a shot past Forde into the bottom corner.
It should have been 3-0 just before the break, but for a good save by Forde from Glen Fitzpatrick.
Derry stormed back into the match on the resumption and had a goal back within a minute.
Paddy McCourt weaved his magic to get past Jason Gavin to cross and Kevin Deery tapped home.
But Barrett sealed it two minutes from time when completing his hat-trick to surely end Derry's title hopes.
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