Derry hit goal trail

Derry ... 3-12 Wexford ... 1-7: Mickey Moran's new-look Derry team showed they could be a force to be reckoned with this hammering of hitherto unbeaten Wexford at Celtic Park on Saturday.

Goals from James Conway, Conleth Gilligan and Paul Brown were the highlights of a thrilling display by Derry.

Leading 0-2 to 0-1 after nine minutes, the visitors faded as Derry's Fergal Doherty and James Conway took control at midfield. Six consecutive Derry scores from Paddy Bradley (three), Gareth Doherty, Gilligan and debutant Brown saw Derry lead 0-7 to 0-2 after 27 minutes.

Mattie Forde's pointed free closed the gap after 30 minutes but another Bradley free restored Derry's cushion before Conway weighed in with 1-1 to leave Derry 1-9 to 0-3 ahead at the break.

A goal from Wexford substitute Scott Doran saw the gap closed to 1-11 to 1-6 with a 10 minutes to play. Gilligan struck Derry's second goal which killed the game as a contest. In the final minute Brown unleashed a shot to the Wexford net.

DERRY: S McGuckin; K McGuckin, N McCusker, SM Lockhart; K Doherty, K McCloy, G Doherty (0-1); F Doherty, J Conway (1-1); P Brown (1-2), C Gilligan (1-1, one free), B Murray; P Bradley (0-6, 5 frees), D Dougan, G Diamond (0-1). Subs: E Muldoon for Conway, P McFlynn for G Doherty, J McBride for Diamond, F Glackin for Gilligan.

WEXFORD: J Cooper; C Morris, P Wallace, N Murphy; D Brien, D Murphy, L O'Brien (0-1); R Hasey W Carley; J Hudson, P Colfer, T Howlin; P Carley, M Forde (0-4, all frees), J Hegarty. Subs: T Wall for Murphy, S Doran (1-1) for Hegarty, A Morrissey (0-1) for Howlin.

Referee: M McGrath (Donegal).