Watch: Gerard Doherty saves a late penalty as Derry City beat Cobh Ramblers to lift the EA Sports Cup
Derry City got their hands on a record eleventh League Cup title as they saw off the challenge of First Division Cobh Ramlers to be crowned EA Sports Cup champions for 2018.
Goals from Ronan Hale, Darren Cole and Aaron McEneff helped the Candystripes to a 3-1 win afer Chris Hull had levelled for the Rams in the first half.
Derry keeper Gerard Doherty saved a late penalty to keep the home side's two-goal lead intact and there were scenes of euphoria at full time when a first trophy in five years was confirmed.
Ireland under-21 international Ronan Hale opened the scoring midway through the first half as he pounced on a mistake from James McSweeney before beating Adam Mylod at his near post.
Here's the goal from @ronanhale9 that put @derrycityfc 1-0 up in the #EASportsCupFinal.
— eir Sport (@eirSport) September 16, 2018
LIVE now on eir sport 1! #EASportsCupFinalpic.twitter.com/ZfZ6BuINLW
Derry's lead was to last just two minutes, however, as Kevin Taylor sent a low ball across the box and Hull was on hand to bundle home despite the efforts of Cole.
And here's the equaliser from Chris Hull as @CobhRamblersFC hit-back almost immediately.
— eir Sport (@eirSport) September 16, 2018
What a start to this game!
LIVE now on eir sport 1! #EASportsCupFinalpic.twitter.com/5wvTap31c0
The Candystripes got their noses back in front ten minutes after the break when Cole met Ben Fisk's corner with a bullet header that Adam Mylod couldn't keep out.
WATCH:
— eir Sport (@eirSport) September 16, 2018
Darren Cole heads home to put @derrycityfc 2-1 up in the #EASportsCupFinal.
LIVE now on eir sport 1! pic.twitter.com/eg8ZMWdrh2
And they all but sealed the win 18 minutes from time as McEneff converted from 12 yards after Jamie McDonagh had been shoved over in the box by Ian Mylod.
Here's the penalty incident and the penalty from Aaron McEneff that has put @derrycityfc 3-1.
— eir Sport (@eirSport) September 16, 2018
LIVE now on eir sport 1! #EASportsCupFinalpic.twitter.com/pR8OvQ9gLS
There was to be late drama, however, as Cole tripped David Hurley in the box, but Gerard Doherty got down low to his right to save Shane O'Connor's penalty to keep it at 3-1.
88: SAVE!
— eir Sport (@eirSport) September 16, 2018
Superb save from Ger Doherty to deny Shane O'Connor from the penalty spot.
LIVE now on eir sport 1! #EASportsCupFinalpic.twitter.com/CMlNJfAGV4