Derry City (4) 4
(Farren 44, 50, 58, McCallion 86)
Limerick FC 0
at the Brandywell, Derry
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With the kick-off delayed by ten minutes, both sides took their time to get into the game, with Limerick shading the opening ten minutes. Striker Stephen O’Flynn left footed a half chance straight at Alan Gough, with the Derry goalkeeper helped by the tight angle of the shot.
Minutes later Farren, playing up front alongside Gary Beckett, had his first chance for the home side when Sean Hargan crossed in a good ball but the striker failed to connect with the it as he slid in on Limerick stopper John Healy.
It looked like the first half would end scoreless following a 15th minute effort from Beckett which rolled past the outstretched arms of Healy and his far post, and centre back Robbie Hedderman’s 40-yard pile driver of a shot which had Healy back-pedalling to tip over in the 26th minute.
But with sixty seconds left in the first half, Farren nudged Derry deservedly in front when he latched onto a left sided cross from Eddie McCallion to hit home from the edge of the six-yard box.
Five minutes after the break, Farren slammed home his second, having been set up by the busy Hargan. On 58 minutes the 20-year-old slid home a low cross from Hargan for his third before defender McCallion saw his rising shot deflected past a stranded Healy in the Limerick goal.
The Shannonsiders were losing for the first time in fifteen games, but can hold their heads high after a defiant performance.
It should be an intruiging night next Wednesday when Derry take on Finn Harps in the final’s first leg in Ballybofey, with Farren being from Inishowen in Donegal.