Football

Derry boss Rory Gallagher surprised by ease of victory over Longford

Along with Emmett Bradley, Conor Glass lorded midfield for Derry against Longford
Along with Emmett Bradley, Conor Glass lorded midfield for Derry against Longford Along with Emmett Bradley, Conor Glass lorded midfield for Derry against Longford

Allianz Football League round one: Division Three North: Longford 0-5 Derry 0-21

Derry manager Rory Gallagher was a little bit surprised with the manner in which his side swept aside the weak challenge of Longford in their opening Division 3 North game on Saturday evening.

Derry were impressive in this victory against a Longford side who really had no answer for them.

Gallagher said: “Very pleased to win. We would’ve liked to have got out of here with a victory.

''We performed well, very well at times in the second half. It was an awful lot more comfortable that we expected.

''It’s a great reward for the work that the players have done in the off-season.”

Longford manager Padraic Davis found it hard to explain just what happened to his side. They were no match for Derry.

He said: “We were beaten by a far superior team; a far superior physically imposing team where out of the 15 match-ups you lose 14. On a day like today in those conditions it was always going to be incredibly tough.

''That’s said the margin of victory for Derry is disappointing, for us. Our tally at the end was hugely disappointing. It is what it is, we have to take it.”

It was a tight opening quarter with Derry leading 0-3 to 0-2 but they suddenly began to get on top in the game; forcing turnovers and capitalising on Longford’s mistakes.

Conor Glass and Emmett Bradley lorded midfield.

The superb Glass kicked over a point to put two between the sides in the 20th minute. Two points apiece from Shane McGuigan (two frees) and Niall Loughlin (free and ‘45) gave them a six point advantage going at the break.

Gallagher was disappointed the lead wasn’t more: “I was bitterly disappointed that we’d only eight points at half-time. We should’ve been sitting with 1-11/1-12 at our ease. I just felt we left scores too easily behind.”

Another McGuigan free at the start of the second half extended the lead to seven before Longford’s David McGivney received a black card.

Derry then hit over six unanswered points with Emmett Bradley scoring twice and Padraig Cassidy and Ciaran McFaul getting on the scoresheet.

Longford’s first point of the second half came in the 52nd minute through substitute Larry Moran but the Oak Leaf county replied with Bradley and Loughlin (free) on the scoresheet.

Longford’s Darren Gallagher hit over two points and it was Derry sub Ben McCarron who got the final score of the game in his side’s 16 point win.

This result sets Derry up well for next weekend’s clash with Gallagher’s former side Fermanagh. He said: “It’s going to be an Ulster derby. There’s nice friendships there but they’ll be set to one side.

''The league is the priority. We are very disappointed with the start we had to the league last year. We have to man up to it now and face Fermanagh.”

Longford will be hoping to right the wrongs of this performance and result against their near neighbours Cavan next weekend.

Manager Davis said: “It is hugely disappointing for the group of players to put in a performance like that, particularly at home.

''It’s a group you can trust and I believe they’ll put in a performance. I hope they do, just for themselves. They deserve better than that.”

Derry: O Lynch; C McKaigue, B Rogers, P McGrogan; Padraig Cassidy (0-1), G McKinless, C Doherty; C Glass (0-2), E Bradley (0-3); E Doherty, N Loughlin (0-6, 0-4frees, 0-2’45), C McFaul (0-1); B Heron, S McGuigan (0-7,0-5 frees) Paul Cassidy.

Subs: O McWilliams for Paul Cassidy (50), P McNeill for G McKinless (59), J Doherty for B Heron (61), M McEvoy for C Doherty (65), B McCarron (0-1) for E Doherty and C McShane for Padraig Cassidy (67)

Black cards: None

Yellow cards: C Glass

Longford: P Collum; P Fox, A Farrell, C P. Smyth; D Reynolds, G Rogers, D Mimnagh (0-1); D McGivney, K Diffley; D Gallagher (0-3,0-1free), R Brady, M Quinn; R Smyth, L Connerton, O Kenny.

Black cards: D McGivney

Yellow cards: G Rogers, M Quinn

Subs: P Lynn for D Reynolds and B McKeon for K Diffley (h-t), J Hagan for O Kenny (45), L Moran (0-1) for R Smyth, I O’Sullivan for R Brady, D Doherty for L Connerton (52), G Flynn for D Mimnagh (61)

Referee: J Henry (Mayo)