Premier Division: Shamrock Rovers 6-1 Derry City

Rovers striker Dan Carr puts a challenge in on Derry's Darren Cole in Friday night's game

Derry crumbled in the second half as Graham Burke scored four goals to help rampant Rovers to victory in Dublin.

City failed to capitalise on a strong start and they fell behind when Burke hit the top corner before the break.

Sean Kavanagh slotted in to make it 2-0 and Finn drilled home a third before Burke struck again on 70 minutes.

Ronan Hale pulled one back with his first goal for City but Burke bundled in before stroking past keeper Gerard Doherty to complete the rout.

Derry, hoping to build on a first league win of the season against Bohemians, came out firing at Tallaght Stadium.

Darren Cole headed just wide from one of a succession of dangerous Aaron McEneff corners.

A delighted Graham Burke collects the match ball after his four-goal blast against the Candystripes

Rovers midfielder Brandon Miele wasted a good chance before City striker Rory Patterson saw his effort cleared off the line by Trevor Clarke.

The hosts began to take a grip of affairs late in the first half and Burke made the breakthrough four minutes before half-time after good work from Finn.

Rovers maintained their momentum on the restart and went on to dominate affairs in a one-sided second half.

Hot stuff from hosts

An unmarked Kavanagh supplied a classy finish past Doherty to double the lead on 52 minutes.

Ronan fizzed in number three from 25 yards and it was 4-0 a minute later as Burke slipped the ball under Doherty and into the net.

A glimmer of hope for Derry came on 73 minutes when Patterson put Hale through to rifle into the bottom corner.

Burke connected with Trevor Clarke's low centre for his hat-trick and added his fourth by squeezing the ball between Doherty's legs deep into injury time.

Derry, who are just one place off the bottom, are back in action on Monday night when they make their long-awaited return to the redeveloped Brandywell with Limerick their opponents.