Derry hit three goals to net victory in Ballybofey

All-Ireland SFC Round 2

Derry 3-14

Donegal 1-15

By Michael McMullan

SECOND half goals from Paudi McGrogan, Conor Doherty and Lachlan Murray shot Derry to victory on Sunday in a sun-drenched Ballybofey.

In a first half where Shaun Patton hurt Derry with kick-outs over the top, the home side will rue four wides in the opening 18 minutes.

It was point for point in the early stages. Derry were two up before Donegal were level and it took a Patton save to deny Ciaran Meenagh’s side a goal.

Derry settled into the game with two fine Ciaran McFaul points – from either wing – to go 0-8 to 0-4 ahead.

Donegal replied with two Gallen scores – mark and a free – before McGuigan stretched the interval lead to three, 0-9 to 0-6.

Conor Glass touched a Brendan Rogers dropping ball over the bar for a Derry team that passed up two half goal chance in the third quarter. Oisin Gallen – who finished with 0-9 – teased Derry’s defence.

Lachlan Murray’s goal, with his first touch, looked to have put Derry their way but Gallen had the margin back to three points, 1-13 to 0-13.

Paudi McGrogan and Conor Doherty hit goals and Derry were lucky when Rory O’Donnell scuffed a chance with a later Mark Curran shot saved by Lynch.

Rory O’Donnell did manage a Donegal goal late on but Derry were home and dry

Elsewhere, Monaghan were five-point winners over Clare in Clones. The Farney men take on Donegal in the final game of the group with Derry facing Clare with both to be fixed for neutral venue.

Derry: Odhrán Lynch; Chrissy McKaigue, Eoin McEvoy, Conor McCluskey; Conor Doherty (1-0), Gareth McKinless, Paudi McGrogan (1-0); Conor Glass (0-1), Brendan Rogers (0-2), Paul Cassidy (0-4); Shane McGuigan (0-3, 2f), Ethan Doherty; Benny Heron (0-1); Ciaran McFaul (0-2), Niall Toner (0-1f)
Subs: Niall Loughlin for B Heron (Blood sub 31, reversed 35), Padraig Cassidy for C Glass (Blood sub 47, reserved 51), N Loughlin for N Toner (47), Padraig Cassidy for B Heron (53), Lachlan Murray (1-0) for C McFaul (56), Declan Cassidy for E McEvoy (65), Shea Downey for C McKaigue (70)

Yellow card: C Doherty (67)

Donegal: Shaun Patton (0-1 45); Mark Curran, Brendan McCole; Caolan McColgan; Caolan Ward, Eoghan Bán Gallagher, Caolan McGonagle, Jason McGee, Ciaran Thompson (0-2, 1f), Hugh McFadden; Daire Ó Baoill, Jamie Brennan, Odhran Doherty; Conor O’Donnell (0-2), Oisin Gallen (0-9, 3f, 3m)
Subs: Luke McGlynn for J Brennan (52), Patrick McBrearty (0-1f) for D Ó Baoill (56), Rory O’Donnell (1-0) for J McGee (58), Stephen McMenamin for O Doherty (61), Jeaic Mac Ceallbhuí for C Ward (68)

Yellow card: D Ó Baoill (35+4), S McMenamin (70)

Referee: Brendan Cawley (Kildare)