Derry City 1 Cork City 4

SPORTING legend Dave Barry signed off as Cork City manager, 20 years ago, with a crushing win over the northerners at the Brandywell.

City’s comprehensive victory left Barry with a huge grin on his face as Derry City were humiliated on a day, when the visitors clinched runners-up spot behind Premier Division champions Shelbourne.

For Barry, though, the performance by his players in the northern city was nothing short of superb as City terrorised a lethargic home side to lead 3-0 at the break.

Before the game, the departing Cork boss received two presentations, from the Derry City club and the Northside Derry City Supporters Club, to mark his contribution to Cork City and the National League.

Little did Barry know that the presentations didn’t end there because Derry’s defending left much to be desired and City duly capitalised.

Keeper David Platt made a disastrous error five minutes from the break after receiving a straightforward back-pass. Instead of clearing the ball, Platt dribbled around the lurking Pat Morley, but when he eventually tried to kick it clear, he totally miskicked. It left John Cotter with the task of setting up Morley for the easiest of goals from close range.

Yet, nothing should detract from the display of Barry’s charges for the high noon kick-off as former international Liam O’Brien gave City the best possible start after just six minutes. After receiving the ball from Mark Herrick, O’Brien’s thunderous drive from 25 yards screamed high into the Derry net.

Cork doubled their lead with the first act of generosity from the home side as Seán Hargan headed into his own net while attempting to clear a Cotter cross. Then came Platt’s disaster-his third in as many games-guaranteeing a City victory and leaving Barry happily striding to the dressing-room at half-time.

Derry, though, were more determined on the resumption and pulled a goal in the opening minute of the second period.

Substitute Perry Taylor reduced the arrears with his first touch after Hargan sent him clear to make it 3-1.

City were happy to play a containing game and waiting to counter-attack, offering Derry the opportunity to press forward only to squander further clear-cut chances.

And the visitors prospered once more with their approach after 66 minutes, when Morley claimed his 20th goal of the season.

Ollie Cahill’s sweeping run along the left created the opening for the unmarked striker to head home gleefully and put an end to Derry’s faint hopes of a revival.

The game petered out after that, but for Barry it was a fitting performance to signal his retirement.

“I thought the lads were magnificent,” he said afterwards. “They played superbly and to record a win like this, 4-1, at the Brandywell was very special. 

"We are the top scorers in the league this season and that says a lot about the way we play. But, today, was a special performance and I thought we were magnificent.”

Barry was delighted with his side’s achievement in qualifying for the following season’s UEFA Cup.

“That was our priority and while we did achieve it last weekend we also wanted to finish second.

“In fact we fell away a bit before Christmas, when so many people wrote us off, suggesting Bohemians would not be caught.

“But, we proved them wrong and went on a great run to finish the season. Hopefully the club can build on this,” Barry signed off.

CORK CITY: Harrington; Napier, Coughlan, Daly, Cronin; C O’Brien, L O’Brien, Herrick, Cahill; Morley, Cotter.