Derry prove their mettle

Derry 1-14 Armagh 2-8: Derry maintained their 100 per cent league record thanks to a fine second-half comeback against Armagh at Celtic Park yesterday. Trailing 2-5 to 1-4 at half-time and down to 14 men from the 12th minute when Patsy Bradley was sent off , Derry looked in real trouble.

But with Enda Muldoon, Joe Diver and Liam Hinphey leading the charge, the hosts dominated the second period restricting Armagh to just two points to record their first win over the Orchard men since 1998. Armagh finished up with 13 men as both Francie Bellew and Andy Mallon were sent off in the second half for second yellow card offences.

Points from Eoin Bradley, Muldoon and Paul Carton saw Derry lead 0-4 to no score after 10 minutes. But defender Patsy Bradley then gifted possession to Brian Mallon who clipped a neat finish past Barry Gillis for Armagh's opening goal and within seconds the Derryman was red carded for an off-the-ball incident with Martin O'Rourke.

Derry bounced back when Eoin Bradley blasted home a well-taken goal on 15 minutes but Armagh controlled the second quarter. Aaron Kernan scored a lovely point in the 26th minute and the visitors levelled matters at 1-4 to 2-1 when Stevie McDonnell got past Sean Marty Lockhart to drill a low shot past Derry goalkeeper Gillis.

Three points from McConville and one from McDonnell gave Armagh a four-point half-time advantage. But Derry quickly set about reeling in the deficit as points from Muldoon, and Eoin Bradley (two) reduced the gap to a minimum. After 47 minutes Bellew was sent off for a foul on Eoin Bradley and Paddy Bradley pointed the free to tie the game.

Two superb scores from Muldoon and substitute Barry McGoldrick saw Derry lead and while points from O'Rourke and McEntee tied the scoreline once again, Derry had the momentum.

Paddy Bradley's superb point edged them back in front and he added a free to extend the lead. Eoin Bradley and Muldoon added insurance scores while Mallon received his second yellow card for fouling Jim Kelly.

DERRY: B. Gillis; F. McEldowney, K. McCloy, S. M. Lockhart; P. Carton (0-1), J. McBride, L. Hinphey; Patsy Bradley, J. Diver; J. O'Kane, E. Muldoon (0-6, three frees), F. Doherty; M. Lynch, P. Bradley (0-3, two frees), E. Bradley (1-3). Subs: B. McGoldrick (0-1) for J. O'Kane (35 mins), F. Crossan for Carton (58 mins), G. O'Kane for McBride (60 mins), C. O'Brien for Diver (60 mins), J. Kelly for Lynch (64 mins).

ARMAGH: C. McKinney; A. Mallon, F. Bellew, E. McNulty; A. Kernan (0-1), K. McGeeney, C. McKeever; J. McEntee (0-1), P. McGrane; P. McKeever, S. Kernan, M. O'Rourke (0-1); S. McDonnell (l-2), O. McConville (0-3, two frees), B. Mallon (1-0). Subs: P. Loughran for S. Kernan (51 mins), M. Mackin for P. McKeever (56 mins), R. Clarke for O'Rourke (56 mins).

Referee: M. Hughes (Tyrone).