SOCCER/Derry City - 3 Glentoran - 1: Derry City outclassed Glentoran at the Brandywell last night, the Eircom League side dominating the vital areas and scoring three times in what proved an impressive first-half performance.

One player who gave Glentoran an almost constant headache was Derry winger Paddy McCourt, who was involved in all three first-half goals.

The defeat could have been even more comprehensive with the home side also affording the luxury of missing an early second-half penalty.

This match got the go-ahead just minutes before the kick-off after a prolonged deluge around 6.0pm threatened the fixture.

But it was clear from the start that it was the home side who adapted better before breaking the deadlock after just 11 minutes following a corner. McCourt floated the ball into the danger area and when Glentoran defender Philip Simpson headed the ball across the face of his goal it dropped into the path of Sean Hargan who squeezed the ball home at the near post.

Glentoran threatened on occasions and in the 19th minute Gary Browne put Peter McCann in but the midfielder's attempted lob over home goalkeeper David Forde sailed over the crossbar.

Derry's pressure paid off in the 38th minute when they doubled their lead. McCourt was again involved when his low drive was diverted into the net by the alert Gary Beckett giving goalkeeper Elliott Morris no chance.

Derry effectively ended this match as a contest two minutes before the break when the McCourt-Hargan partnership again combined. Another corner taken by the winger, was met by the unmarked Hargan and the left-back's downward header skidded off the muddy surface for his second goal of the game.

There was no let-up for the Irish League side from the start of the second half and Derry were presented with a superb chance to extend their lead when awarded a controversial penalty.

Brian Cash weaved his way into the area before Chris Walker was adjudged to have brought the player down. It appeared a harsh decision and justice was served when Kevin McHugh sent the ball high over the crossbar.

Glentoran grabbed a late consolation when defender Chris Walker blasted the ball home following a short free-kick.

DERRY CITY: Forde; McCallion, Hutton, Oman, Hargan; Cash, Molloy, Higgins (Doherty, 74 mins), McCourt; McHugh (Farren, 87 mins), Beckett (O'Flynn, 67 mins).

GLENTORAN: Morris; Ward, Nixon, Simpson, Walker; Halliday (McGibbon, half-time), McDonagh, Melaugh, McCann; Morgan, Browne (Reed, 67 mins).

Referee: D Hancock (Dublin).