Goal blitz for Derry denies Down minors

10 June 2015

THERE was misery for Down once again at minor level when they succumbed to a superior Derry offering in a disappointing match up.

Despite level pegging for most of the first 20 minutes, Derry took control up to half-time and in truth, always looked the stronger side. Their 0-7 to 0-4 interval lead was richly deserved.

They pushed ahead 0-5 to 0-4 after 23 minutes of play before scores from Conor Glass and Shea Downey had them three clear. Down’s purple patch arrived just after half-time.

Ballyholland sharpshooter Tiarnan Rushe hit an absolutely superb strike to the Derry net two minutes in. This drew the game level before Mayobridge’s Aaron Magee sliced over a free to give Down the lead for the first time.

However, it was not a convincing lead.

Led by underage prodigy Conor Glass, Derry came roaring back into the contest.

Points were exchanged on two occasions with D’Arcy and Rushe splitting the sticks for Down.

Despite their one point lead the Mourne lads soon wilted.

With the space of three minutes the Oak Leafers had the ball in the Down net on two occasions.

The first was a cheeky finish from Patrick Coney while the second was a powerful effort from Shane McGuigan. A couple more scores arrived for the hosts in the last ten minutes as Damian McErlean’s outfit romped to a seven point success.

Derry’s win was built on a solid defensive offering with Keenan, Concannon and McEvoy all showing well.

Conor Glass played a mesmeric role around the middle winning some terrific possession while Higgins and McGuigan were most prolific up front.

Mark Harte and Pierce Laverty competed well in the Down defence with Frank Aiken hard working in midfield.

Tiarnan Rushe and Aaron D’Arcy were the two most dangerous forwards for Shane Mulholland’s outfit.

Derry: C. Mullan Young, N. Keenan, C. McGrogan, E. Concannon, S. Downey (0-1), M. McEvoy, C. Maunsell, P. Kearney, J. Doherty (0-2), C. Glass (0-3f), S. Higgins, P. Coney (1-0), F. Higgins (0-2), F. Kearney, S. McGuigan (1-2, 0-1f). Subs: B. Cassidy for S. Higgins, E. Murray for P. Kearney, M. Mullan (0-1) for S. McGuigan.

Down: J. Heaney, C. Cox, P. Murdock, D. McLaughlin, C. Carr, M. Harte, P. Laverty, F. Aiken, C. J. Barr, D. Morgan (0-1), J. McGovern, A. D’Arcy (0-2), C. Gordon, T. Rushe (1-2), A. Magee (0-2f). Subs: P. J. Davidson for J McGovern, D. Connolly for F. Aiken, N. Turkington for C. Gordon, O. Donnelly for T. Rushe (BC), O. McConvey for M. Harte.

Derry 2-11

Down 1-7

ULSTER MFC QUARTER-FINAL

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