CITY RUN RIOT

A first-half Ronan Curtis hat-trick sent Derry City into seventh heaven in their EA Sports Cup quarter-final at the Brandywell yesterday.

Curtis, above, who City are resigned to losing to Portsmouth in the summer, earned the man of the match plaudits with his first-half performance.

In truth

Derry could have won by more, but credit to Shelbourne who clawed their way back from a 2-0 deficit after just 15 minutes.

Curtis had netted an early brace before visiting striker David O’sullivan scored in the 21st and 28th minutes, to level matters.

O’sullivan’s second goal, from the penalty spot, stunned Derry into action and their semifinal spot was guaranteed thanks to another three strikes before the break.

Ronan Hale, inset, put Derry back into the driving seat with a superb volley before Curtis netted his hat-trick in the 40th minute to restore Derry’s 4-2 lead.

Derry were awarded a suspect penalty by referee Damien Mcgraith in the 42nd minute. Hale adjudged to have been upended by a defender and Aaron Mceneff drilled the ball home for a 5-2 half-time lead.

Shelbourne added a third goal in the 81st minute through James English but back came the home side two minutes later when Nicky Low curled the ball home before Nathan Boyle ended the rout in the 92nd minute.