Report: Derry save best for last to land first Christy Ring Cup

Christy Ring Cup final

Derry 3-24 Kerry 3-19

By Michael McMullan

IT seems impossible until it’s done. The words of Nelson Mandela fits the story of Derry hurlers perfectly, winning a first ever Christy Ring Cup title on Saturday at Croke Park.

It came 11 years after they lost their first final, ironically, a defeat to Kerry. This was a third successive final and a fifth in six seasons.

After a turnaround of 16 new players, a 26-point league defeat to the Kingdom in the league, relegation and a speed wobble Christy Ring defeat in Aughrim, Derry did what they’ve always done – kept on hurling. They just showing up and kept on hurling.

Derry looking to the building blocks of continuous u-20 progress

They had to start without Meehaul McGrath and his 94 senior appearances with a broken foot sustained in the win over Kerry that booked their place at Croke Park.

The fact he played on during a game they had to win, with a broken foot, says so, so much about Derry’s collective underbelly.

Sean ‘Tad’ Cassidy missed the season with an ACL injury. Eamon Conway tore his in the middle of the Christy Ring Cup. Fintan Bradley was forced out after an appendix operation.

Derry hurlers adopted the ‘next man up’ policy. They met competition favourites head on at Croke Park. They saved their best performance of the season for the biggest day.

From the moment teenager Rian Collins arrowed over two early points, there was a feeling that Saturday was going to be the day.

There was Connor Melaugh’s first goal, to mark his first ever senior start. His twin brother Tiernan – Derry’s recent U20 winning captain – slotted in at wing back.

This was a remarkable performance. Yes, they’ll have been relieved Kerry didn’t bring their shooting radar but everything about Derry pointed to Saturday being a breakthrough.

Conor Coyle and Déaglan Foley hammered over points. Their full-back line was immense. A story of their season.

Goalkeeper Sean Kelly showed he belongs in any conversation.

Shea Cassidy came with a late scoring burst when Kerry began to sniff a comeback.

Cormac O’Doherty lifts the Christy Ring Cup

Darragh McGilligan and Eamon Cassidy all chipped in points.

Eamon McGill, who made a massive imprint on the draw in Meath, came it to bring experience when the game went down the stretch.

For all that was excellent about Derry’s team performance, there always has to be a leader.

Enter Cormac O’Doherty. This was his fifth Christy Ring Cup final.

He watched Meath, Kildare, Offaly and London’s captain walk up the Hogan Stand steps.

Saturday was his time. His positional sense was excellent. And he plays the same every day.

Five points up or five points down. Calm sea or choppy waters. he just keeps on hurling.

Despite Kerry’s challenge with two Oisin Maunsell goals, it was the two Connor Melaugh goals that made all the difference.

Johnny McGarvey’s men finished off a season of twists with an afternoon teams only dream of.

Derry hurling lives a long, long way off Broadway. That doesn’t matter. They are comfortable in their own skin, among their families and a core of supporters.

With St Patrick’s Maghera’s win in the Paddy Buggy Cup and the U20 All-Ireland, it has been quite the season for Derry.

The minors go into next weekend’s Celtic Challenge final with new heroes and a chance at a clean sweep.

Derry: Seán Kelly; Cathair McGilligan, Patrick Turner, Jamie Lee McGlade; Tiernan Melaugh, Conor Coyle (0-3), Eamon Cassidy (0-1); Cormac O’Doherty (0-5f), Thomas Brady (0-1); Connor Melaugh (2-2), Deaghlan Foley (0-4), Darragh McGilligan (0-2); Rian Collins (0-2), Joe Mulholland, Shea Cassidy (1-4)
Subs: Eamon McGill for Mulholland (46), Ryan McGarvey for Brady (51), Eunan Boylan for Collins (67), Sean Martin Quinn for Shea Cassidy (68), Ryan McGill for Melaugh (70)

Kerry: Conor Bohane; Eric Leen, Seán McGrath (0-1), Kyle O’Connor; Hugh Lenihan (0-1), Jason Diggins, Michael Leane (0-1); Kevin Goulding, Adam Segal; Jordan Brick, Ronan Walsh (0-1), Tom Doyle; Gavin Dooley, Pádraig Boyle (1-10, 6f), Michael Slattery (0-2)
Subs: Jordan Conway (0-1) for Segal (34), Oisín Maunsell (2-0) for Dooley (40), Ivan Conway for Brick (48), Liam Óg O’Connor (0-1) for Slattery (55), Daniel Casey (0-1) for Diggins (63)

Referee: Matthew Farrell (Offaly).