Christy Ring Cup

Derry 2-15
Kerry 0-19

By Michael McMullan

A STORMING second-half performance shot Derry to victory and booked a Christy Ring Cup final spot later this month.

They’ll meet Kerry in the final, the Kingdom having already booked their final spot before their visit to Derry.

It will be Derry’s fifth final in six years with the county still awaiting an elusive first title.

Goals from Shéa Cassidy and Joseph Mulholland were key scores at the end of a comeback that began with seven unanswered points.

Kerry were eight points ahead early in the second-half before a spirited Derry fightback.

Deaglan Foley was immense in the heart of their attack, Cormac O’Doherty directed operations wherever be popped up and collectively Derry hung tough.

Goalkeeper Sean Kelly made vital saves and Derry’s defence was epitomised by Meehaul McGrath getting a foot strapped up before playing on.

Despite hitting seven points in a row, Derry needed another dig after Kerry pushed themselves back in the lead again.

In the end, it was Shéa Cassidy’s goal that finally broke the game.

Derry had gone 17 minutes without a score in the first-half with Kerry having an 18-minute scoreless spell in the second half.

Kerry almost hit the net on the first play but Kelly made a brilliant save to deny the incisive Kevin Goulding.

At the other end it was a brilliant Bohane save that denied Rian Collins who cut inside the Kerry cover.

Boyle and O’Doherty traded early scores but it was Boyle’s accuracy that saw Kerry push into a 0-12 to 0-6 interval lead.

Level

The sides were level three times and it looked like a third time but Shéa Cassidy’s point was ruled out for having the ball three times in the hand. Withing seconds, Kerry went two ahead, 0-6 to 0-4 after 18 minutes, with a fine Boyle score.

There were half chances saved at either end by ‘keepers Kelly and Bohane but it was Kerry who were six up at the break.

Ivan and Jordan Conway hit two scores after coming on at the break but Derry them had their purple patch.

Seven points on the trot from O’Doherty (4), Foley (2) and Shéa Cassidy made the score 0-14 to 0-13.

When Boyle landed a 65, Derry ended an 18-minute run without a score before Mulholland’s goal.

It put Derry head for the first time but it took Cassidy goal to seal the deal after.

Derry: S Kelly; JL McGlade, P Turner, C McGilligan; E Cassidy, M McGrath, C Coyle; C O’Doherty (0-5, 3f), T Brady; J Mulholland (1-0), D McGilligan (0-2), D Foley (0-5), R Collins (0-1), Shéa Cassidy (1-1), SM Quinn
Subs: C Melaugh for Quinn (44), R McGarvey for Brady (55), E McGill (0-1) for Mulholland (60), T Melaugh for C McGilligan (66)

Kerry: C Bohane; S Foran, S McGrath, K O’Connor; J O’Connor (0-1), J Diggins (0-1), H Lenihan; K Goulding (0-1f), A Segal; T Doyle, R Walsh (0-1), L O’Connor; G Dooley, P Boyle (0-9, 7f, 1 65), M Slattery (0-2)
Subs: J Conway (0-1) for Walsh (HT), I Conway (0-3) for Dooley (HT), L Rochford for Slattery (50), D Kearney for Segal (55), C Litchfield for Diggins (66)

Referee: C McCloskey (Antrim)