Derry’s latest Christy Ring Cup bid finishes in devastation

Christy Ring Cup final

London 1-27 Derry 1-24

By Michael McMullan

DERRY’s search for a first Christy Ring Cup title ended in devastation as their late rally came up short.

David Devine hit 1-12 as London etched their name on the cup for the first time since 2012.

Derry were always chasing the game and led for just four minutes over the game with London always hitting back.

The was frustration in the Oakleafers’ camp who felt they had to work harder for their frees. The winners total of 25 was more than twice Derry’s tally of 11 over the game.

While Derry chased much of Saturday’s encounter, it was London’s cutting edge in front of the posts that made the difference.

Derry did go ahead in the 52nd minute, 1-20 to 1-19, but London hit six without reply to push themselves back into the driving seat.

Eamon Conway hit four second half points, with Ruairí Ó Mianáin and Richie Mullan hitting late scores.

London came with another push to go three ahead before Derry’s last throw of the dice.

O’Doherty was presented with a close-range free but his drilled effort was batted away for a 65.

When the 65 dropped short, referee Dunne sounded the final whistle to London’s relief.

London were the sharper team early on and led 0-4 to 0-1 with Devine unerring from frees.

Thomas Brady, Richie Mullan and Cormac O’Doherty were on target for a Derry team chasing the game.

London’s Paul Kennedy appeared to lead with the head into Thomas Brady but the officials deemed it yellow and London were left with a full deck.

Cahal Murray levelled matters at 0-5 all after 10 minutes before London found the net for the 26th time this season.

Seán Glynn made the run through the centre before the ball was worked to Devine to score at the far post.

Derry’s response was instant with a smashing Brady goal in the next attack after a pass from John Mullan.

O’Doherty kept Derry on touch and the sides were level twice more before Devine and Dylan Dawson pushed London towards a 1-15 to 1-12 interval lead.

London held the aces for much of the second half but three Eamon Conway points helped Derry back into the game with O’Doherty putting them ahead in the 52nd minute.

London pushed on again with scores from Egan and Dawson to lead 1-25 to 1-20 with five minutes to play.

Richie Mullan, Ryan McGill and Ruairí Ó Mianáin replied with points for Derry but the Ulster side were never able to get level again.

Devine added two London scores before O’Doherty’s late, late free was stopped and Derry’s hopes were dashed.

Scorers for Derry: Cormac O’Doherty 0-9 (8f), Eamon Conway 0-4, Thomas Brady 1-1, Christy McNaughton 0-3, Richie Mullan, Ruairí Ó Mianáin 0-2 each, Cahal Murray 0-1, Shéa Cassidy 0-1 and Ryan McGill 0-1 each

Scorers for London: David Devine 1-12 (9f), Enda Egan 0-4 (3f), Dylan Dawson 0-3, Conor O’Carroll, Seán Glynn 0-2 each, Tom Millerick, Paul Kennedy, Jack Morrissey and Conor McCormack 0-1 each

London: Mark Kilgannon; Niall Fitzgerald, Conor Byrne, Stephen Whelan; Tom Millerick, Enda Egan, Pádraig Muldoon; Adam Cunney, Paul Kennedy; Jack Morrisey, Seán Glynn, Dylan Dawson; Conor McCormack, Conor O’Carroll, David Devine
Subs: Niall Geoghegan for Fitzgerald (35+2), Rory Judge for Kennedy (44), Owen Sheil for McCormack (56), Tom Hanifin for Cunney (69), Donnacha Leahy for Dawson (73)

Derry: Sean Kelly; Sean Cassidy, Mark Craig, Patrick Turner; Ruairi Ó Mianáin, Richie Mullan, James Friel; Meehaul McGrath, Cormac O’Doherty; Thomas Brady, John Mullan, Eamon Conway; Christy McNaughton; Cahal Murray, Shea Cassidy
Subs: Deaghlan Foley for Shéa Cassidy (48), Paddy Kelly for Friel (56), Ryan McGill for Brady (56), Gerald Bradley for McGrath (61), Callum O’Kane for R Mullan (67)

Referee: Pádraig Dunne (Laois)