ULSTER SHC SEMI-FINAL: Down 2-17 Derry 1-15: DOWN SURVIVED two first-half blows and a Derry second-half surge to win yesterday at Casement Park and book a spot in the final against Antrim in a fortnight's time.
The Mourne men deserved their win as they showed a lot of grit and character after first losing half-back Gabriel Clarke to a leg injury and then having winger Simon Wilson sent off on a second yellow card, both happening during the first half.
A 10th-minute goal by James Coyle, who rattled the net at the second attempt after Derry goalkeeper Darryl McDermott had blocked out Coyle’s first drive, put the winners 1-2 to 0-2 ahead and with Wilson sending over three great points, just before his dismissal, the Mourne side led 1-10 to 0-8 at the break.
Three rapid points on the resumption by half-time replacement Conor Quinn, Kieran Hinphey and Sam Dodds (free) launched a Derry comeback which was halted when Gareth Johnston whipped the ball into the Oak Leaf net on 50 minutes, 2-10 to 0-11.
Still, Derry fought with vigour to match their opponents scoring efforts and, when Ruairi Convery flicked home a goal on the hour and Quinn added a point immediately after, only the minimum separated the sides at 2-13 to 1-15.
After the dismissal of Wilson, experienced Paul Braniff took over the free-taking duties for Down and lofted over some excellent points from long distance, one in particular from a sideline cut right on 70 minutes to more or less kill off Derry’s chances of a late comeback. Braniff was also a thorn throughout in the Derry defence.
Overall, Down deserved their victory, being the more skilful and steady side. Martin Coulter went into the game during the second half and did much to neutralise Derry’s extra man.
“After half-time the lads were a bit annoyed about Gabriel Clarke’s injury and they took their mind off the game a little but they finished strongly,” reflected manager Jim McKernan.
DOWN: Graham Clarke; F Conway, S Murray, S Ennis; Gabriel Clarke, R McGrattan, M Ennis; C Woods (0-5, one free, one 65), A Savage (0-1); S Wilson (0-3, one sideline), P Braniff (0-5, two frees, one 65), K Courtney; J Coyle (1-1), G Johnston (1-0), E Clarke. Subs: C O'Prey for Gabriel Clarke (21 mins), M Coulter (0-1) for E Clarke (46 mins), K McGarry (0-1) for Coyle (49 mins), E Trainor for Courtney (65 mins).
DERRY:D McDermott; R McCloskey, S McCullough, S McNicholl; P OKane, S Henry, M Craig; K Hinphey (0-1), O McCloskey; B Dodds (0-1), D Leahy (0-1), S Dodds (0-6, three frees, one 65), E McGuckin, P McCloskey (0-2), R Convery (1-2). Subs: C Murphy for McGuckin (35 mins), C Quinn (0-2) for Leahy (half-time), M Kirk for P McCloskey (67 mins).
Referee:E Morris (Dublin).
* DOWN RECORDED a resounding 3-14 to 0-2 win over Fermanagh in the minor hurling quarter-final.
Playing with a stiff wind in their backs, Down constantly attacked during the first half to run up an interval lead of 1-7 to 0-1. The goal was a neat effort by Daniel Toner in the ninth minute.
By time Fermanagh scored their their second point through Shay Curran on 57 minutes, the game was over as a contest as Down full forward Neal Torney had netted twice, in the 41st and 50th minutes.
