Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
It’s a Hale storm on Foyleside
DERRY CITY celebrated their return to the revamped Brandywell with a hugely impressive victory over Limerick last night.
Ireland boss Martin
O’neill cut the ribbon to officially open the Mark Farren Stand and the Candystripes played their part on the pitch in front of an estimated attendance of 2,500.
Right winger Ronan Hale will certainly remember his contribution, having netted a wonderful hat-trick.
The Belfast lad, on loan from Birmingham City, brought the crowd to its feet with the opening goal as he crashed a superb shot into the top corner after just eight minutes.
That early strike set the tone for the evening as confidence levels grew on Foyleside.
Derry were in control and upped the ante after the break as Limerick failed to respond.
A superb turn by Rory Patterson in the 61st minute sent Ronan Curtis racing into the area and he gleefully drove the ball low into the corner to double Derry’s lead.
And Kenny Shiels’ men ended the game as a contest three minutes later when Aaron Mceneff chipped the ball home after Nicky Low’s deft effort had rebounded back off the crossbar.
With their tails up, Derry increased the tempo and Hale netted the fourth goal in the 69th minute.
Three minutes later he was brought crashing down to earth when inside the danger area.
The attacker then stepped up and confidently stroked the penalty home to cap a fine performance and round off his hat-trick.