Longford Town 3 Derry City 1:Longford Town started their top-flight life with a 1-0 victory against Derry City eight seasons ago. How ironic, therefore, that an emphatic 3-1 triumph against the same opposition should end their time in the top tier.
For the home side there is the consolation of a cup final appearance against Cork City next month but the deduction of six league points for off-field irregularities remains the main reason why Longford make the drop.
Derry hit the front in the 43rd minute. Pat McCourt was superb in the build-up and his perfect cross left the simplest of tap-ins for David McDaid.
However, this setback seemed to energise the home side. They grabbed a superb equaliser in first-half injury-time. Gary Deegan played Dessie Baker in behind the City defence and his cross was brilliantly despatched by Dave Mooney.
The Midlands outfit upped the tempo in the early stages of the second half and were in front after 72 minutes.
Baker was brought to ground inside the penalty area by Killian Brennan and Mooney proceeded to slot home his 18th goal of the season from the spot.
Brennan was dismissed for the foul and this allowed Longford to totally dominate the remaining minutes.
Mooney then completed his hat-trick two minutes from the finish.
LONGFORD TOWN: Kelly; Sullivan (Ryan 89), Brennan, Doherty, Prunty; Duffy, Deegan, Doyle (James 68), Martin; Mooney, Baker.
DERRY CITY: Jennings; McCallion, Oman, Hutton, Hargan (Harkin 89); McDaid (Deery 75), Molloy, Martyn, Brennan; McHugh, McCourt.
Referee: M Gough (Dublin).
