Football

Derry ratings: McKinless leads the way again

15/5/2022  Derrys    Gareth Mc Kinless    in action with  Monaghans   Kieran Duffy     in yesterdays  Semi Final game at the Athletic Grounds   Picture  Seamus Loughran
15/5/2022 Derrys Gareth Mc Kinless in action with Monaghans Kieran Duffy in yesterdays Semi Final game at the Athletic Grounds Picture Seamus Loughran 15/5/2022 Derrys Gareth Mc Kinless in action with Monaghans Kieran Duffy in yesterdays Semi Final game at the Athletic Grounds Picture Seamus Loughran

DERRY RATINGS

Odhran Lynch: Safe as houses under the high ball. Enormous ball inside that led to Benny Heron’s first goal. Sharp on anything loose around the goal. Under big pressure early second half, unpicked the lock well. 7.5

Chrissy McKaigue: On one hand McKaigue kept Jack McCarron scoreless from play and did well in the battle, but did concede one from a mark and gave away three frees that were pointed. 7

Brendan Rogers: Matched Gary Mohan physically and then was far too sharp for the big Truagh Gaels man on the ground. Won three balls in a row at the end of the first half. Finished up on Sean Jones. 8

Padraig McGrogan: Conor McManus showed well and his movement was sharper than it’s been for a while, putting McGrogan’s clean performance of keeping him to 0-2 from play in context. Broke out well. 7

Conor McCluskey: Brought serious energy to Derry’s play, running off Kieran Hughes all afternoon. Opened up several good attacking positions and had a goal chance himself. 8

Conor Doherty: Monaghan earmarked him for the Ryan McAnespie treatment, which played into Derry’s hands if not Doherty’s. Got freed up when that changed and had a good second half. 6.5

Shea Downey: Allowed to sit often as a spare man, the Lavey defender has become adept at picking up runners, but could bring more to their attack. 6

STAR MAN

Gareth McKinless: Absolutely outstanding. Monaghan detailed Shane Carey to him and couldn’t lay a glove on him in the first half. Brilliant goal. Swept diligently in front of his full-back line and kept punching holes on the way out. 9

Conor Glass: Had a fascinating and very even battle with Niall Kearns. The pair were physical with each other and there was some great fielding done on both ends. Coughed up a couple of soft possessions. 7

Paul Cassidy: Did his defensive work tailing Conor McCarthy and had moments of punchy influence going the other way, kicking two fine efforts for Derry’s last two points. 7

Benny Heron: Backed up his Tyrone performance with the taking of two crucial goals in a fine display. Netted both very calmly. Ryan Wylie and Karl O’Connell did have moments off him. 7.5

Ethan Doherty: Set up 2-2, popping to McKinless for the first goal and Heron for the third. Also laid on both of McGuigan’s points from play. Not as many possessions as against Tyrone but efficient with them. 7.5

Niall Toner: Opened the scoring with a cool finish. Judged the flight of Odhran Lynch’s ball brilliantly and had no intention of wasting the chance with a shot, setting up Heron’s first goal. 7

Shane McGuigan: Probably wouldn’t have expected Dessie Ward on him, and enjoyed the first half with a mark, two points from play and a brilliant mark on a kickout too. Seven points from eight shots. 8.5

Niall Loughlin: Monaghan’s openness allowed him a good cut at Kieran Duffy which he took in the second quarter. Might have had more than one point. Off injured early in the second half. 6.5

Subs

Emmett Bradley: Absolutely remarkable score to take a short kickout on his own 21’, sprint 120 yards carrying the ball under pressure and score from the other 21’. Good impact. 7

Padraig Cassidy: Almost caught napping on a short kickout, smart enough to make the foul. Helped Derry settle the game. 6

Ben McCarron: Not on long enough to be rated.

Paul McNeill: Not on long enough to be rated.

Lachlan Murray: Not on long enough to be rated.