Derry shine as Glass returns
DERRY produced their best display in some time to defeat Longford at Celtic Park. Goals from Patrick Kearney and Paul Cassidy proved vital for Derry, with former AFL player Conor Glass making his debut.
The home side impressed from the start. Ciarán McFaul, Ethan Doherty and Enda Lynn were Derry’s conductors in chief, finding Niall Loughlin and the always impressive Shane McGuigan with regular consistency. Indeed, Rory Gallagher’s side led 0-5 to 0-1 by the first water break.
Reluctant travellers Longford, still with an outside chance of promotion before throw-in, finally arrived in the 17th minute when Darren Gallagher curled over a fine free. Points from Rian Brady and Dessie Reynolds reduced Longford’s gap before
Patrick Kearney’s goal in the 33rd minute left Derry 1-7 to 0-4 up at half-time.
The visitors enjoyed the better restart with Colm P Smyth their best performer. They trailed 1-9 to 0-9 before impact sub Paul Cassidy fired home Derry’s crucial second goal in the 56th minute. Longford then notched three in a row but Derry finished the stronger.
SCORERS – Derry: P Cassidy 1-1; P Kearney 1-0; S McGuigan (1f), N Loughlin (1f), C McFaul 0-2 each; P Cassidy, E Lynn, C Doherty, C McKaigue, D Tallon, O McWilliams, B Rogers 0-1. Longford: R Brady 0-4 (2f); D Gallagher, C Smyth 0-2 each; D Reynolds, L Connerton, Joe Hagan, D Doherty 0-1.
DERRY – O Lynch 8; P McNeill 8, B Rogers 8, C Doherty 6; C McWilliams 6, C McKaigue 8, M McEvoy 6; C McFaul 9, P Cassidy 6; E Doherty 8, E Lynn 7, D Tallon 6; P Kearney 7, S McGuigan 7, N Loughlin 8. Subs: Paul Cassidy 8 for Kearney (52), C Glass 7 for McWilliams (54), O McWilliams 7 for McEvoy (60), G O’Neill 6 for Tallon (68), N Toner 6 for Loughlin (69).
LONGFORD – P Collum 7; P Fox 6, A Farrell 6, B O’Farrell 6; C Smyth 8, G Rogers 6, L Hughes 6; D Gallagher 7, K Diffley 6; D McElligott 6, D Mimnagh 6, D Reynolds 7; R Brady 8, L Connerton 6, O Kenny 6. Subs: J Hagan 5 for Mimnagh (44), D Doherty 5 for Hughes (49), R Smyth 5 for Kenny (65), L Moran 5 for Brady (68).
REF – S Laverty (Antrim)