McNamee treble keeps up Derry’s perfect record

A SUPERB second half hat-trick by midfielder, Barry McNamee, preserved Derry City’s 100 per cent record when putting Drogheda United to the sword.

Interestingly, Drogheda striker, Stephen Eilliott, could actually have netted a hat-trick himself in the first half.

However, they were punished for that wastefulness in the 44th minute when Derry’s Ronan Curtis swept a low shot home as Drogheda’s defence failed to clear.

After the break Pete Mahon’s men folded when McNamee netted two goals in as many minutes to end the game as a contest.

The 25-year-old made it 2-0 in the 75th minute when he nipped in to intercept a poor backpass, deftly flicking the ball home.

And in the 77th minute his ferocious drive from just outside the penalty found the corner of the net after Josh Daniels’ shot had been parried clear by Drogheda keeper Stephen McGuinness.

McNamee then had the final say with eight minutes left when he curled a fine free-kick beyond McGuinness, to the delight of the Maginn Park crowd.