Sport

League final place a timely bonus for Derry

NFL DIVISION ONE: Derry 0-14 Donegal 0-10

Mon Apr 13 2009 - 01:00

NFL DIVISION ONE:Derry 0-14 Donegal 0-10

DERRY BOSS Damien Cassidy says he’s looking forward to meeting Kerry in the National Football League final in two weeks’ time despite the fact that retaining the trophy has never been one of his priorities.

The Bellaghy man’s priority in the league was squad development but a four-point win over Donegal in Maghera yesterday combined with Galway’s defeat to Kerry secures Derry’s final place.

“It’s something to look forward to, there’s nothing wrong with another game, the league for me was about developing our senior panel and being able to interchange players throughout the campaign so we knew that if we met any difficulties later in the year we’d be able to cope.

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“We wanted to make sure of status in Division One; we did that with a couple of matches to spare.

“We’ve done it without emptying the tank, we’ve used the league the way I felt we need to use it and here we are. The game is in two weeks’ time and it’s a good bridge in terms of closing the gap to May 24th,” he said.

Derry dominated in terms of possession and never looked like losing despite being without their skipper Fergal Doherty and star forward Paddy Bradley.

Donegal began well and led 0-3 to 0-2 after 11 minutes thanks to points from Michael McGuire, Michael Doherty (free) and a fine effort from veteran Brian Roper as Barry McGoldrick (a free) and Séamus Bradley replied for Derry.

Derry trio Brian Mullan, Enda Muldoon and Eoin Bradley all kicked wides before Bradley levelled from a free. Another Roper point regained Donegal’s lead on 19 minutes but Mark Lynch, on his first appearance of the season, was looking hungry and pointed on 20 minutes to tie the scores up again.

Points were exchanged by Enda Lynn and Michael Doherty (a free) before Lynch kicked his second point of the game to give Derry a 0-6 to 0-5 interval lead.

Derry made the flying start to the second half with James Kielt driving through to point with 12 seconds played and they led by three when Lynch converted a free from the left flank.

Donegal pulled a point back through Doherty’s free but Derry responded as Kielt drove his shot over from 25 yards. Now Donegal were proving wasteful and they paid for their profligacy as Derry half-backs Brian Óg McAlary and Seán Leo McGoldrick scored points to make it 0-11 to 0-6 after 50 minutes.

With Rory Kavanagh winning ball at midfield Donegal rallied with three more pointed frees from Doherty. Kielt’s point from play left Derry leading 0-12 to 0-9 with nine minutes to play and Kielt and Enda Muldoon tagged on points to secure the win.

DERRY:B Gillis; J Keenan, K McGuckin, G O'Kane; B Óg McAlary (0-1), B McGoldrick (0-1, free), S L McGoldrick (0-1); Patsy Bradley, E Muldoon (0-1); E Lynn (0-1), B Mullan, J Kielt (0-3); S Bradley (0-1), E Bradley (0-2, one free), M Lynch (0-3, one free). Subs: SM Lockhart for Keenan (48 mins), P Cartin for McAlary (58 mins), J Diver for Muldoon (70).

DONEGAL:Paul Durcan; J Gallagher, N McGee, P McDaid; S McGowan, B Monaghan, M McGuire (0-1), B Boyle, C Toye (0-1); D Walsh, B Roper (0-2), R Kavanagh; C Dunne, R Bradley, M Doherty (0-6, six frees). Subs: M Murphy for Bradley (half-time), B Devenney for Walsh (45), K Cassidy for Monaghan (45), M Hegarty for Roper (53 mins) Dara Gallagher for Dunne (60), C Byrne for McDaid (64 mins, yellow).

Referee:P Hughes (Armagh).