Allianz Hurling League Division 2B: Derry 3-16 Roscommon 0-12
TWO goals in the final 10 minutes helped Derry shrug off a dogged challenge from Division 2B basement dwellers Roscommon as the Oak Leafers cantered home at Celtic Park yesterday.
It also put to bed any lingering relegation fears heading into the Ulster derby clash against Down in a fortnight, with a strong start and a scintillating finish doing the damage for the Oak Leafers and leaving the Rossies facing an uphill battle for survival.
Boss Collie McGurk bemoaned a lack of numbers after last week’s defeat to Wicklow, but things were looking up yesterday as Derry’s subs came on to good effect, scoring 1-3.
A hamstring injury meant veteran forward Ruairi Convery started on the bench, but McGurk was able to welcome back four of the Slaughtneil contingent, with Dominic Mullan and Eanna Cassidy starting, while Mark McGuigan and Ruairi McCartney came off the bench.
“It’s the first time I’ve had to drop anyone this season,” said the Derry boss with a laugh.
More Slaughtneil players are expected to return after the footballers’ All-Ireland final against Dr Croke’s on Friday, while Cuala brothers Naoise and Cian Waldron will be in contention after their own St Patrick’s Day date with destiny.
It bodes well for their Nicky Rackard campaign, but for now the focus is on the League and yesterday Derry had to dig deep to get the job done.
With the wind blowing at their backs as the rain tipped down, the Oak Leafs quickly took advantage of the elements to race into a 1-2 to no-score lead just four minutes in.
Oisin McCloskey bagged the goal when he was on hand to scoop home from close range after Aaron Kelly’s effort rebounded off the inside of the post.
“We were terribly disappointed with how we played in the first 10-15 minutes,” said Roscommon boss Johnny Kelly.
“We were standing off our men, allowing Derry the freedom to do what they like – it was juvenile stuff.”
A Robbie Fallon free was the Rossies’ first score of the day but a lovely score from the excellent Ciaran Steele restored Derry’s five-point advantage.
An Alan Grant free and scores from Brian Og McGilligan and Steele from distance extended the Oak Leafers’ lead to 1-7 to 0-2.
Indeed, it could have been more had Gavin McCormick connected with the sliothar when an open goal presented itself 23 minutes in following a strong run from McGilligan.
The Rossies rallied in the lead-up to half-time though, two from Robbie Fallon, a Cathal Kenny point and a superb Naos Connaughton score leaving a gap of six at the break.
Now playing with the wind, Roscommon came out all guns blazing after half-time, with only a goal separating the counties – 1-11 to 0-11 – after 45 played thanks to points from John Coyne, Robbie Fallon, sub Adam Finnerty and Eamon Finnegan.
Steele grabbed Derry’s first score in a quarter-of-an-hour after 52 minutes, swiftly followed by McGuigan splitting the points.
However, it wasn’t until an Oisin McCloskey goal two minutes from time that the result was really put beyond doubt, the Banagher forward running on to a flick from second half sub Convery before drilling home to make it 2-14 to 0-12.
Another sub, Darragh Cartin, completed the scoring in the third minute of added time, bagging Derry’s third major of the day after a defence-splitting pass from Steele to seal two crucial points.
“Roscommon came at us and had a very strong opening to the second half and it looked like the game could go either way at that stage,” said McGurk.
“Thankfully we pushed on but the experience we had today was vital, especially on a heavy pitch. The strength and experience of the players really told.”
For Kelly, meanwhile, it is back to the drawing board and a crucial game away to promotion-chasing Meath on Thursday night. Yesterday’s loss mean the Rossies will definitely play Mayo in the relegation play-off, and Kelly wants to see improvements.
“With 10 minutes to go there was only three or four points in the game… we let it slip,” he said.
“Derry capitalised in that period of maybe five or six minutes [at the end], but we have to get ourselves up again for Meath because it’s a huge game now.”
Derry: D McDermott; D McCloskey, S McCullagh, P Turner; K Hinphey (0-1), L Og Hinphey, D Mullan; B Og McGilligan (0-1), E Cassidy; A Grant (0-4, 0-2 frees, 0-1 65), J O’Dwyer (0-2), G McCormick; C Steele (0-3), O McCloskey (1-1), A Kelly (1-1).
Subs: M McGuigan (0-2) for O’Dwyer (45), E McGuckin for Mullan (49), R Convery (0-1, free) for McCormick (49), R McCartney for Cassidy (61), D Cartin (1-0) for Kelly (63).
Yellow card: A Grant (43)
Roscommon: J Fallon; M Beirne, D Loughnane, A Moore; S Curley, E Flanagan (0-1), P Nolan; T Seale, P Kellehan; P Kelly, J Coyne (0-2), J Kilkenny; C Kenny (0-2), R Fallon (0-5, 0-4 frees), N Connaughton (0-1).
Subs: C Dolan for Moore (33), A Finnerty (0-1) for Curley (46), C Coyle for Fallon (61), E Costello for Seale (63).
Yellow cards: P Kelly (15), J Coyne (38)
Referee: J Clarke (Cavan)
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