Down 2-10 Derry 2-6: Down came from behind in the final 10 minutes to record their first win in Division Two B at St Patrick's Park, Newcastle, yesterday.
Welcoming Gregroy McCartan back at midfield, Down dominated at midfield.
Scores were slow in coming in the first quarter. Colin McCrickard pointed for Down after seven minutes and Con Moran levelled a minute later. Ciarán Mullan and McCartan exchanged points before Mullan pointed a Derry free. Down took the lead after 28 minutes when Danny Hughes and Ronan Sexton set up Liam Doyle for a goal. Four minutes later Derry were awarded a penalty and Conleith Gilligan sent to the net for a half-time lead of 1-4 to 1-2.
Down restarted in style and took the lead with points from Dan Gordon, John Clarke and McCartan in the first five minutes. Derry levelled through Conleith Gilligan. Down took a two-point lead through McCartan and Liam Doyle and they looked in control.
Derry then introduced Enda Muldoon at full forward and with 10 minutes remaining he landed a goal. When Eamon Burke added a point Derry looked in control. But Down dug deep. Benny Coulter, who had a goal disallowed, punched to the net a minute into injury time. Liam Doyle added a point a minute later and with the last kick of the game McCartan pointed a free.
DOWN: B McVeigh; D McCartan, A Molloy, A Scullion; M Cole, A Shields, S Farrell; G McCartan (0-4), B Coulter (1-0); L Doyle (1-2), J Clarke (0-1), C McCrickard (0-1); D Hughes, D Gordon (0-1), R Sexton. Subs: G McCrickard (0-1) for C. McCrickard; P Turley for B Coulter.
DERRY: B Gillis; C McWilliams, K McCloy, D Scullion; R Lynch, K McGuckin, F McEldowney; F Doherty, P Bradley; C O'Brien, C Gilligan (1-1), C Moran (0-1); P O'Neill, G McGonigle, C Mullan (0-3). Subs: E Muldoon (1-0) for G McGonigle; E Burke (0-1) for P O'Neill; J Bradley for C O'Brien; F McEldowney for C Moran; P Wilson for D Scullion.
Referee: M Henry (Cavan).
:quality(70)/cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/YVIRIOZQ35EWRPZXR27KGMO6YU.png)