Second half salvation for Derry in McKenna Cup

Fermanagh 1-04

Derry 0-11

Derry overcame a half-time deficit in a rain sodden Ederney on Sunday as they defeated Fermanagh to secure their place in the semi-final of the McKenna Cup.

The reigning Ulster champions were not at their best, particularly in a first half laden with mistakes, but they sharpened up in the second period and proved too strong for their opponents, who themselves were left to rue several missed opportunities to put the game beyond Derry when they were on top.

Scores were at a premium in the first half, with Kieran Donnelly’s Fermanagh shading the first 35 minutes, leading by one-point, 1-02 to 0-04, at the interval.

Centre half back Jonathan Cassidy got the scoreboard ticking for the Ernemen when he popped up from defence and fired over from distance, with four minutes on the clock.

His score was quickly cancelled out at the other end when Shane McGuigan chipped over a sweetly-struck free off his right boot.

Both teams struggled to retain possession in the early stages, coughing up possession in almost every attack.

With 10 minutes played, Fermanagh caught Derry on the counter attack. Ryan Jones played the ball forward to his brother Garvan and he made no mistake to bury the ball low into the bottom right corner of the net and past the helpless Odhran Lynch, to push his side into a three-point lead.

Derry soon whittled the Erne advantage down to one, with two quick-fire scores from wing half forward Lachlan Murray and the ever-accurate McGuigan.

Midway through the half, Fermanagh began to dominate possession but they missed several scoring chances which could have seen Kieran Donnelly’s side out of sight by half time.

Garvan Jones did manage to convert a close range free late in the half, but a second score for Derry’s Murray reduced the Erne advantage to just one point as referee Conor Curran whistled for half time.

Rory Gallagher turned to his bench early in the second half, introducing Benny Heron and Oisin McWilliams into the fray.

The Oak Leafers pushed high on Fermanagh in the second half and a well taken point from Conor Doherty levelled the sides.

Garvan Jones tagged on another free to push Donnelly’s men back in front, but Derry quickly responded, hitting five points without reply, to all but wrap up the win.

Two points from Niall Loughlin and three scores from McGuigan pushed Derry’s lead out to four-points, 1-03 to 0-10, with seven minutes left to play.

Donnelly introduced Danny Leonard, Diarmaid King and Conor McGee into the fray late in the half, with the latter striking the ball over the bar to reduce Derry’s advantage to three.

The Ernemen pushed forward in search of a goal, but they couldn’t muster up the opportunity.

McGuigan tagged on another free deep in injury time to seal Derry’s place in the semi-final of the Dr McKenna Cup.

TEAMS:

Fermanagh: Seán McNally, Garrett Cavanagh, Che Cullen, Luke Flanagan, Shane McGullion, Jonathan Cassidy (0-01), Declan McCusker, Ryan Jones, Ryan Lyons, Fionan O’Brien, Ultán Kelm, Aidan Breen, Conor McShea, Garvan Jones (1-02, 2f), Brandon Horan. Subs: Conor McGee (0-01) for F O’Brien (60), Danny Leonard for C McShea (61), Diarmaid King for G Jones (62), Cian McManus for A Breen (66).

Derry: Odhran Lynch, Chrissy McKaigue, Brendan Rogers, Conor McCluskey, Conor Doherty (0-01), Gareth McKinless, Padraig McGrogan, Eoin McEvoy, Anton Tohill, Padraig Cassidy, Paul Cassidy, Lachlan Murray (0-02), Niall Toner, Shane McGuigan (0-06, 3f), Niall Loughlin (0-02). Subs: Benny Heron for N Toner (HT), Oisin McWilliams for A Tohill (42), Declan Cassidy for Paul Cassidy (66).