Allianz Hurling League Division 2B final Derry 1-23 Sligo 2-15
DERRY are back in Division 2A for the first time since 2016 after their victory over Sligo in perfect conditions at Ederney on Saturday afternoon.
A fourth minute goal from Odhran McKeever gave the Oak Leafers a lead they never lost.
Despite nine first-half wides, Derry were a point ahead at half-time and won the game in third quarter when they pushed into a 1-17 to 1-10 lead after 53 minutes.
Joe McHugh hit a second goal, but Derry never really looked in any trouble.
Sligo were awarded a stoppage time penalty, but substitute Gerard O’Kelly-Lynch blazed his shot over the bar.
“I have delighted for the group of players that have committed to us for the last year and a half, the individuals, the group and the management team,” commented Derry joint manager Dominic McKinley.
“I think it is a special day for us. We came here to see if we could make things better. To date, it is gradually coming. We have a long way to go yet, but we are happy.”
After a minute silence in memory of former Sligo star Red Óg Murphy, Derry got the best possible start. A Conor Kelly interception broke down a Sligo attack and after Deaglan Foley raced clear he passed to McKeever who drove to the net to issue a signal of intent.
Sligo did find their feet and settled enough for Finnian Cawley to open their account and Andy Kilcullen to land the first of his five points with a free from his own ‘65’.
O’Doherty sat as Derry’s defensive midfielder but they were wasteful in the opening half.
Some of the Derry approach play was precise, but their lack of composure in front of goal kept Sligo in the game.
Joe McHugh and McKeever traded points, as Derry led 1-3 to 0-3 after 17 minutes.
Sligo got back to within a point before a powerful McGrath run put Brian Óg McGilligan in for a score.
O’Doherty, McKeever and Foley had Derry four points ahead before Sligo struck for goal.
A Rory McHugh pass was picked up by Niall Feehily who turned inside McGrath before speeding through and powering the perfect finish, low and hard to the bottom corner of the net.
Derry almost had the ball in the net seconds later only for McKeever to be denied by goalkeeper Jimmy Gordon.
The second quarter was played a high pace with both teams building scores directly from their own puck-outs.
Leading 1-8 to 1-7 at the break, Derry were out of the traps early in the second half.
Fintan Bradley fired over two points in quick succession with Gerald Bradley swinging over from close to the sideline after a probing ball from playmaker Cormac O’Doherty.
Derry had a chance for a second goal, but John Mullan was denied by another Gordon save, with Brian Óg McGilligan picking up the rebound to slot over from a tight angle.
Derry went seven points clear before McHugh’s goal shot Sligo back in contention, as they trailed 1-17 to 2-11 after 58 minutes.
Derry replied with a John Mullan point and two long-range efforts from centre back Conor Kelly as they pushed their way to victory.
Derry now head into a Christy Ring campaign which begins with at home to Wicklow on Sunday.
“We didn’t talk about the ones (previous league finals) that we lost and I think that played a big part,” added Dominic McKinley.
“What a great boost this is going to be going into the Christy Ring. If we can get a few (players) back that are on the injured list, it will help. Richie (Mullan) and big Tiarnán McHugh and Eamon McGill…if we can get all these boys back it will bring more competition for places.”
Derry: O O’Doherty; C Hendry, M Craig, D McCloskey; M McGrath, C Kelly (0-2), P Kelly; C O’Doherty (0-8, 0-7 frees, 0-1 65), D McGilligan; F Bradley (0-2), J Mullan (0-2), B Óg McGilligan (0-2); D Foley (0-1), O McKeever (1-4), G Bradley (0-2)
Subs: P Nelis for D Foley (60), S Kelly for O McKeever (69)
Blood sub: G Farren for M McGrath (56- 57)
Yellow card: O McKeever (34)
Sligo: J Gordon; N Kilcullen, M Hannify, K O’Kennedy; G Connolly, R McHugh (0-1), N Feehily (1-0); F Cawley (0-1), F Connolly; C Hannify (0-3), J McHugh (1-3), K Gilmartin; R Brennan, A Kilcullen (0-5, 0-2 frees), T Cawley (0-1)
Subs: T O’Kelly-Lynch for K Gilmartin (23), M Munnelly for R Brennan (HT), P Foley for F Connolly (43), G O’Kelly-Lynch (0-1 pen) for T Cawley (51), E Comerford for T O’Kelly-Lynch (69)
Yellow cards: M Hannify (44), F Cawley (60), K O’Kennedy (68)
Referee: C Cunning (Antrim)
