EA Sports Cup: Derry City 0-1 Limerick

Paudie O'Connor of Limerick competes with Derry striker Rory Patterson at the Brandywell

Derry City fell to defeat in Monday's EA Sports Cup semi-final as First Division leaders Limerick claimed a 1-0 win at the Brandywell.

Stephen Kenny scored the 15th-minute goal which sent the visitors into the final where they will play Shamrock Rovers or St Patrick's Athletic.

The former Cobh Ramblers midfielder shot the winner after the Derry defence failed to clear Shane Treacy's cross.

Limerick have won 23 of 24 matches played in all competitions this season.

Their return to the League of Ireland's top flight seems a formality as they are 20 points clear at the top of the eight-team First Division.

The defeat is a disappointing blow for Derry who are third in the Premier Division in their first season under manager Kenny Shiels.

After going behind Derry, winners of this cup a record 10 times, pressed for an equaliser and went close when Austrian Lukas Schubert headed over.

Early in the second half City keeper Doherty pulled off a superb double save from Limerick's Aaron Greene and Chris Mulhall.

Visiting keeper Freddy Hall then did well to push a Rory Patterson effort wide for a corner.

Hall made another save from a Josh Daniels header as Limerick claimed another Premier Division scalp, having beaten Wexford Youths and Galway in earlier rounds.