Whilst Derry looked like a team starting to find fitness and stamina Longford looked stretched and weary. The final 20 minutes of the second half in particular saw Derry bombard the Longford back four with countless breaches and the score line could have been much more reflecting of their total domination.

Derry City left back, Steven Gray, was presented with two great chances to open the scoring in the first half with two headers from corners in the seventh minute.

The first corner was taken by Liam Kearney as the ball edged closer towards the Longford danger area and Grays headed effort was tipped over the bar.

Gareth McGlynn took the resulting corner and again, GRAY rose between defenders to powerfully head the ball into the back of the net.
Longford had a chance to equalise minutes later when a loose ball fell to Derek Glynn who thundered the ball over the Derry crossbar.

Derry were in total control of the game for the majority of the first half. With neat one touch passing and impressive delivery from the wings, the home side were getting their monies worth out this pre-season friendly.

Derry doubled their lead in the 21st minute when front man Thomas STEWART collected a Liam Kearney pass on the left and as he entered into the Longford area he slotted the ball easily past Colin Nicholson to make it 2-0.

Liam Kearney could have had his second goal of the pre-season in the 37th minute but somehow the former Cork City player managed to send his shot wide of the post after a clinical pass from outside on the left from Thomas Stewart.

In the dying minutes of the first half Longford had a chance to peg a goal back before the half time interval. Gary Curran gathered the ball just outside the Derry area but his long range effort was tame and easy, in the end, for Gerard Doherty to deal with.

A superb save from Longford 'keeper Colin Nicholson in the 50th minute denied Steven Gray a second goal when the shot stopper dived to his right to tip the ball around the post.

Derry scored their third in the 56th minute when again, Kearney, crossed from right to Clive DELANEY at the back post whose dipping header dropped into the back of the net.

Thomas Stewart looked alert in the 76th minute when getting onto the end of a lose ball but luckily for the visitors, Nicholson was quick to react and saved at the former Linfield player's feet.

Derry youngster Darren McCauley took full advantage of a Longford mistake just outside the six yard box in the 90th minute when he blasted the ball into back of the net to make the final score 4-0.


Man of the Match: Liam Kearney (Derry City) - Nearly scored and muscled in with two assists. His dead ball delivery looks excellent and will be a valuable asset in forthcoming season.
DERRY CITY: (4-4-2) Gerard Doherty, Ger O'Brien (Eddie McCallion 74mins), Clive Delaney, Mark McChrystal, Steven Gray (Peter Hutton 67mins), Ciaran Martyn, Liam Kearney (James McClean 73mins), Gareth McGlynn, Barry Molloy (Darren McCauley 81mins), Thomas Stewart, Sammy Morrow (Aaron Nash 73mins).

LONGFORD TOWN: (4-4-2) Colin Nicholson, Tom King (Stephen Brennan 58mins), Michael Lee, Jim Sheridan, Colm Jinks, Carmen Rousso, Gary Curran (Darragh Concanon 62mins), Liam Lynch, Derek Glynn (Adam Crower H/T), Jason McCartney (Shane O'Brien 73mins), Brian McCrory.

REFEREE: Mr. Paul McLaughlin (Monaghan).