FORMER boss Pat Fenlon had a disappointing return to Derry City last night when his Bohemians team were beaten 4-1 in the Eircom League Cup quarter-final.
Teenager James McLean will grab all the headlines as he marked his debut with a goal, also on the scoresheet were Conor Sammon (2) and Kevin McHugh
But it was Gareth McGlynn, made captain for the night, who pulled all the strings for the Candystripes.
The talented midfielder really has come to the fore this season and boss Stephen Kenny was delighted by his skipper's display.
"Gareth has become an important player for us this season and he's pivotal now playing central, he can also do a job down the right, but this year he has been doing well in centre-midfield," said the City manager.
"Young James walked down from the Creggan just before the game with his boots over his shoulder and then scored the opening goal, so you can't ask for much more than that. He's only finished school and still has a long way to go, but hopefully he'll continue to progress."
As for Fenlon he admitted that he wasn't too bothered at getting knocked out of the competition.
The one time City boss said he was more concerned to the two injuries to both Owen Heary and ex-Candystripe defender Ken Oman.
"Obviously no one likes to lose a game, but to be honest it's a god send to be out of the competition," said the Dubliner.
"We lost both Ken and Owen early on and had to change our formation quite a bit. The result now is secondary and I'm only worried about Ken and Owen and hopefully their injuries aren't too serious."
Derry broke the deadlock four minutes before half-time when Ruaidhri Higgins' clever ball caught out the visitiors defence to find McGlynn and his low drilled cross found McLean who turned the ball over the line from close range.
City doubled their advantage right on the stroke of half-time when McHugh's right wing centre found an incoming Sammon who powerfully headed home past a flat-footed Chris Konopka.
The home side netted a third soon after the interval when Sammon blasted home his sixth goal of the season, volleying home from close range, after the Gypsies failed to clear their lines.
To their credit Bohemians pulled one back through John Paul Kelly, however their delight was short lived as McHugh netted Derry's fourth goal calmly side footing home past the out-rushing Konopka, after Ciaran Martyn had set up the ex-Finn Harps man.
Derry City: Doherty, Callaghan, Gray, McChrystal, Deery; Deery, McGlynn, Higgins, McLean, Sammon, McHugh. Subs: McGinn for McLean (60); McCallion for Gray (79); Farren for Sammon (84).
Bohemians: Konopka, O Heary, Rossiter, Hunt, Oman, T Heary, Kelly, Cronin, McGinley, Mansaram, Singh. Subs: O'Donnell for Oman (24); Crowe for O Heary (32); Byrne for McGinley (Half-time).
Referee: Mr Tomas Connolly (Dublin).