DERRY City bounced back following recent poor results when they hammered basement side, UCD, at a packed Brandywell tonight.
And for Jamie McGonigle, it was a rewarding night, the Derry striker having netted a memorable hat-trick, however in truth, the Dungiven man would so easily have recorded a double hat-trick on another night.
UCD really did look out of their depth on Foyleside, Derry in total domination in every department.
Valuable lessons will have been learned by the frustrated students who failed to deal with Derry's high tempo approach, the 'Candystripes' passing the ball around the park with great accuracy and determination.
Keen to impress in perfect conditions, Derry will be happy to have consolidated their leadership of the table and they moved into the driving seat in the 14th minute.
Midfield playmaker, Patrick McEleney, delivered an incisive pass into the danger area and the well placed Will Patching was on hand to take possession and drill the ball low into the corner giving Lorcan Healy no chance.
And the 'Candystripes' put the students to the sword with a further two goals in the space of a minute.
Cameron Dummigan floated a high ball out to the left flank, the advancing Jamie McGonigle taking the ball in his stride before guiding the ball home from close quarters.
Within sixty seconds Derry were back pressurising the UCD defence. Another route one approach was again controlled by McGonigle who gleefully found the net with his second and Derry's third strike.
Clearly in trouble, the students remained on the back foot as the home side made it 4-0 in the 34th minute.
Mattie Smith broke on the left and his centre found Cameron McJannet whose downward header from close range bounced into the net.
And on the stroke of half-time, Derry really twisted the knife when Dummigan let fly from 35 yards, UCD's young keeper, failing to block the shot as the ball squirmed into the net through his attempted grip.
Accepting defeat at the break, UCD boss Andy Myler made four changes,
Ten minutes into the second half, young Ronan Boyce got his name on the scoresheet when he rose to head home Patching's cross
McGonigle deservedly netted his hat-trick on the hour, Patrick McEleney providing the ammunition.
UCD substitute Alex Nolan netted a consolation goal in the 65th minute following a goalmouth scramble.
DERRY CITY: Maher; McJannett, Toal (Coll, 57), S. McEleney; Boyce (McCallion, , 69), Kavanagh; Dummigan, Patching (McLaughlin, 57); P. McEleney (Thomson, h/t); Smith, McGonigle.
UCD - Healy; Gallagher, Boore (Farrell, h/t), Todd, Osam; Kerrigan, Higgins (Ryan, h/t), Dignam (Verdon, h/t), Duffy (Nolan, h/t); Caffrey (Lennon, 76); Whelan.
REFEREE: B. Connolly (Dublin)
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