Gilligan turns in masterful display

NFL DIVISION TWO Derry 0-13 Kildare 0-11:CONLETH GILLIGAN showed Derry fans what they've been missing by turning in a brilliant performance as the Ulster side maintained their unbeaten record and punctured Kildare's.

Gilligan contributed seven points, three from play, and though this was matched by Johnny Doyle on the other side, he had more support to ensure his team took the spoils.

The Kildare captain converted two frees to go with Pádraig O’Neill’s opener and 20 minutes elapsed before Derry responded, from a Paddy Bradley free.

Dowling shot a sensational point two minutes later from a very tight angle but with Derry managing to pick up more of the breaks around the middle, Gilligan began to prosper.

The Ballinderry man converted a free and a 45 into the wind before also adding a wonderful point and with Bradley contributing another score from play they led at the break by 0-7 to 0-6, with the wind at their backs to come.

And though Kildare resumed in decent fashion – Doyle kicking a brace – Derry hit back with three, all from the boot of Gilligan. When he kicked his seventh of the afternoon, the visitors were four points clear.

Doyle and Alan Smith halved the deficit with seven minutes still remaining, but that was that.

DERRY: M Conlan; B McCallion, K McCloy, D McBride; M Drumm, B McGoldrick, G O'Kane; PJ McCloskey, N Holly; D Mullan, SL McGoldrick (0-1), M Lynch (0-1); C McGoldrick, P Bradley (0-3), C Gilligan (0-7, three frees, one 45). Subs: J Conway for Holly (blood, 6-11 mins); J Kielt (0-1) for Mullan (18 mins); C Kielt for Drumm (38 mins); C O'Boyle for C McGoldrick (63 mins); E McGuckian for Lynch (64 mins).

KILDARE: S Connolly; H McGrillen, M Foley, T O'Neill; E Bolton, E Callaghan, D Whyte, H Lynch, P O'Neill (0-1); B Flanagan, E O'Flaherty, K Cribbin; A Smith (0-1), J Doyle (0-7, 0-4 frees), F Dowling (0-2). Subs: R Sweeney for Whyte, A Mac Lochlainn for T O'Neill (both half-time); J Kavanagh for O'Flaherty (57 mins).

Referee: S Doyle(Wexford).