Derry; 1-17 Down 1-9: Their first victory of the campaign was not enough to save Derry from the drop to Division 2B next season, and that was the only disappointment for team manager Eamonn Coleman yesterday.
Down finally made use of the conditions in their favour and hit seven unanswered points to lead 0-8 to 0-4, the scores coming from John Clarke, Gregory McCartan, Stephen Treanor, Padraig Bradley (two), Micheál Magill and Padraig McConville, before Dermot Dougan replied for Derry before the break.
Within 15 seconds of the restart, Derry were back on level terms following a superbly worked goal. From the throw-in, Fergal Doherty punched the ball foward to Paul McFlynn, the marauding Anthony Tohill then claimed possession before releasing Dougan to drill a shot to the back of the net past Peter Travers. Derry took the initiative from there on in to run out comfortable winners.
DERRY: M Conlon; B Mullan, K McCloy, D O'Neill; G Coleman, K McNally, G Doherty; A Tohill (0-3), F Doherty; P McFlynn (0-1), D Dougan (1-3), J McBride; G McGonigle (0-3), P Bradley (0-3), G Diamond (0-2). Subs: K Doherty for B Mullan (29 mins); J Donaghy (0-2) for F Doherty (66 mins).
DOWN: P Travers; K McGrath, C Byrne, B Grant; A Molloy, M Magill (0-1), S Treanor (0-1); G McCartan (0-1), P McConville (0-1); J Clarke (0-1), M Walsh (1-1), P Bradley (0-2); S King (0-1), A O'Prey, R Sexton. Subs: J Lynch for McConville (37 mins); R Murtagh for Treanor (56 mins); M Linden for King (60 mins); B Loughran for Bradley (60 mins).
Referee: E Murtagh (Longford).
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