Sammy Morrow gave Derry the lead early in the second half

Sammy Morrow gave the Candystripes the lead in the 48th minute, sweeping the ball past Shane Kelly after a neat exchange with Kevin McHugh.

It was McHugh who made it 2-0 on 77 minutes from a Barry Molloy ball.

Dave Mooney's 80th-minute penalty gave Longford hope but Ciaran Martyn made sure of Derry's win with a late third from a ball played in by Pat McCourt.

The penalty had been awarded for a Peter Hutton foul on Mooney which Derry claimed had been outside the area.

However, in the end it did not matter as Derry, who had scored only 17 goals in 20 league matches before this, ran out clear and worthy victors.