Derry 2-25
Offaly 0-8

By Michael McMullan
Find Insurance Celtic Park

EARLY goals from Niall Loughlin and Matthew Downey set Derry on their way to a comfortable win over Offaly on Saturday night.

It’s the first time the Oakleafers won three successive in two seasons and it keeps their promotion hopes alive.

Ciarán Meenagh’s side welcome Cork on Sunday, their third game in a 15-day period.

Derry started without the suspended Conor Glass after the Derry skipper’s appeal against his red card in Kildare was unsuccessful.

Derry selector Chrissy McKaigue said a facial injury sustained in Newbridge kept goalkeeper Shea McGuckin out of the game.

Lachlan Murray was withdrawn from the 26 but is expected to be available for selection next weekend.

McKaigue also confirmed Newbridge skipper Conor McAteer is no longer part of the panel.

Derry were rampant from the moment Jack Doherty created early chances and kicked them into an early lead, one they never lost.

Offaly struggled to secure possession from their own kick-out and when Brendan Rogers broke one, the move ended up with Niall Toner passing to Niall Loughlin.

A after a neat shimmy, Loughlin dispatched his 15^th senior goal for Derry.

It got even better for Derry minutes later when Matthew Downey powered through before slotting to the net. It was the former All-Ireland minor winning captain’s first ever senior goal.

Derry were in complete control and eased into an insurmountable lead. Paul Cassidy (two), Brendan Rogers, Shane McGuigan and Niall Loughlin kicked two pointers.

Offaly fisted over their first score via Jordan Hayes after 17 minutes in a spell when they won six consecutive kick-outs – from both ends.

With Brendan Rogers and Conor Doherty ruling the middle third, Derry eased into a 2-17 to 0-3 interval lead.

Ruairí Ó Mianáin came in at half time for the heavily strapped Gareth McKinless, the Sleacht Néill man the sixth league debut in the four games to date.

Shane McGuigan and Matthew Downey added quick scores to ensure Derry’s control. In contrast, Offaly left many shots short into the safe hands ‘keeper Ryan Scullion.

Offaly had a half goal chance when substitute Eoin Dunne, with his first touch, had his shot blocked by Scullion.

Harry Plunkett hit a late two pointer but Offaly were outclassed on the night with Niall O’Donnell adding a score, Derry’s ninth name on the scoresheet.

Scorers

Derry: S McGuigan 0-7 (1tp, 2f), N Loughlin 1-4 (tp, 1f), P Cassidy 0-5 (2tp), M Downey 1-2, E Doherty, B Rogers (tp) 0-2 each, J Doherty, N Toner and N O’Donnell 0-1 each

Offaly: K O’Neill, H Plunkett (1tp, 0-1f) 0-3 each and J Hayes 0-2

Derry: R Scullion; D Baker, R Forbes, S Downey; C Doherty, G McKinless, P McGrogan; J Doherty, B Rogers; E Doherty, M Downey, P Cassidy; N Loughlin, S McGuigan, N Toner
Subs: R Ó Mianáin for McKinless (HT), S Young for Rogers (43), N O’Donnell for C Doherty (48), M Doherty for Baker (53), C Diamond for Downey (60)

Offaly: C Melia; Shane O’Toole Greene, D Dempsey, D Flynn; C Egan, D Egan, R Egan; J McEvoy, A Leavy; M Dalton, J Hayes, K O’Neill; H Plunkett, N Furlong, L Pearson
Subs: D McDaid for Dempsey (HT), E Sawyer for  Flynn (43), E Dunne for Dalton (48), C Dunican for Pearson (55), C Ryan for O’Toole Greene (66)

Referee: F Kelly (Longford)