Conor Hagan (left) and Steven Gray challenge for the ball

Mark Farren scored a hat-trick as Derry City beat Linfield 3-0 to top Setanta Cup Group Two and secure a home semi-final tie against Cork City.

Kevin Deery crossed for Mark Farren to flick the ball into the net after 23 minutes and Steven Gray hit the bar with a header in the second half.

Farren fired home a right-foot volley from Sammy Morrow's exquisite left-foot cross on 63 minutes to make it 2-0.

Morrow provided the pass for Farren to score from an acute angle after 84.

Kevin Deery went close for Derry early on and then Damian Curran chested the ball down and shot from the edge of the box but his effort was tipped away by Gerard Doherty.

Farren opened the scoring and then three minutes before the break Mannus produced a fine save to deny Billy Denaghy.

After half-time Denaghy shot wide and Noel Bailie blocked a Morrow attempt.

Gray hit the crossbar, Farren beat Mannus for the second time and then completed his treble with a left-foot drive.

Farren almost scored his fourth in the dying moments but Mannus was equal to the task.

It was the first victory for Derry over Linfield in six attempts in this competition and proved enough to knock the Blues out of the tournament.