Derry on the way up after narrow victory over Sligo

DERRY are back in Division 2A for the first time since 2016 after beating Sligo in perfect conditions in Edenery yesterday.

Derry hit the ground running with a fourth minute goal from Odhran McKeever.

Sligo dug their way back into the game before Derry pulled into a four-point lead.

A fine goal from Niall Feehily left Sligo in contention at the break, trailing 1-8 to 07. Gerard and Fintan Bradley hit early second half points as Derry went 1-18 to 2-11 ahead. Sligo came back into the game with a Joe McHugh goal to leave four points between the sides.

derrY: O O’Doherty; C Hendry, M Craig, D McCloskey; M McGrath (G Farren blood sub 56, reversed 57), C Kelly, P Kelly; C O’Doherty, D McGilligan; F Bradley, J Mullan, B Óg McGilligan; D Foley (P Nelis 60), O McKeever (S Kelly 69), G Bradley. Scorers: C O’Doherty 0-8 (7fs, 1 ‘65’), O McKeever 1-4, B Óg McGilligan, F Bradley, G Bradley, C Kelly, J Mullan 0-2 each and D Foley 01. Yellow card: O McKeever (34).

Sligo: J Gordon; N Kilcullen, M Hannify, K O’Kennedy; G Connolly, R McHugh, N Feehily; F Cawley, F Connolly (P Foley 43); J McHugh, C Hannify, K Gilmartin (T O’Kelly-Lynch 23, E Comerford 69); R Brennan (M Munnelly HT), A Kilcullen, T Cawley (G O’Kelly-Lynch 51). Scorers: A Kilcullen 0-6 (3fs), J McHugh 1-3, C Hannify 0-3, N Feehily 1-0, G O’Kelly-Lynch penalty), R McHugh and F Cawley 0-1 each. Yellow cards: M Hannify (44), F Cawley (60), K O’Kennedy (68).

referee: C Cunning (Antrim)