Derry City have one foot in their first Setanta Sports Cup final after a 3-0 semi-final first leg win over Shamrock Rovers at Tallaght Stadium.
The game swung Derry’s way as early as 13 minutes when Rovers' keeper Reyaard Pieterse was sent off for taking down David McDaid.
Replacement keeper Oscar Jansson saved McDaid’s spot kick, but Derry skipper Kevin Deery followed up to score.
Paddy McEleney scored a glorious second from 30-yard on 51 minutes before providing the cross for defender Ryan McBride to head the third goal five minutes form time.
Irish League side Crusaders will take a 2-0 lead to Sligo Rovers next Monday night after a brace from David Rainey has them in the driving seat after their first leg at Seaview.
A long-range free-kick from Chris Morrow was deflected home by Rainey to give the Belfast side a 41st minute lead.
Rainey headed the second from a David McMaster corner nine minutes from the end.