Penalty shoot-out drama as Derry reach McKenna Cup final

Down 3-9

Derry 1-15

Derry won 3-2 on penalty kicks.

Derry won the right to take on Tyrone in this year’s Dr McKenna Cup Final after a thrilling penalty shoot-out win over Down in Páric Esler this afternoon.

But they will be going into that game without Christopher McKaigue following his 53rd minute red card for an strike on Down’s Ceilium Doherty. Down were also reduced to 14 players when Ryan McEvoy picked up a second yellow card in the 65th minute.

In a tie that more bore more resemblance to a league encounter, those in the attendance of just under 4,000 were treated to thrilling contest from start to finish. 

It was a contest that swung more times than a carnival swing-boat, Down fought their way back from five down in the first half to take a four-point lead in the second half. But just like last Wednesday night in Owenbeg against Tyrone, Derry dug deep and found a way back and four points in as many minutes in the third quarter help to set up a nail-biting finish.

Both sides had their chances to win it in normal time. Shane McGuigan in particular will look back on a few chances that went a begging, but the Slaughtneil sharpshooter held his nerve to convert a free with the last kick of the game to send to set Derry’s first ever penalty shootout.

In the shootout Odhran Lynch saved from Anthony Gilmore and Rory Mason. McGuigan and Paul Cassidy converted for Derry before Niall Toner had a chance to win it, but his effort struck a post and after Down’s Odhran Murdock converted Down’s final penalty, it presented Conor Doherty with the opportunity to win it for the Oakleafers, an opportunity which the Newbridge man duly accepted. 

Before a ball was even thrown in, referee Niall McKenna had to issue some stern words to Gareth McKinless and Barry O’Hagan became embroiled in a tangle that finished with McKinless’ shirt over his head.

The raucous start to proceedings continued throughout the opening quarter as both sides aimed to lay down a marker with National Leagues just around the corner. O’Hagan was soon in the thick of the action again. After being involved in a tangle with McKaigue, the Clonduff man ended up receiving a yellow card. McKaigue also picked up a yellow for his part which at the time looked a bit on the harsh side.

Down’s Pat Havern punished some sloppy play from Derry’s Conor McCloskey to register the games first score but Derry quickly got themselves on level terms through the industrious Niall Toner.

Down almost grabbed the games first goal on 8 minutes. Moving the ball quickly through the hands, Havern almost picked out O’Hagan with a pass across the goal. However McKaigue was back just in the nick of time to touch the ball out for a 45 just when O’Hagan was about to palm the ball to the net.

Ryan McEvoy’s effort from the resulting 45 dropped short, however Lynch’s pass was cut out by the alert Liam Kerr, and Down found themselves back in front again.

The Derry response was quick and efficient. Slaughtneil duo Padraig Cassidy and Brendan Rogers combined for the latter to level the game again before Donnach McAleenan gave Down the lead for the third time after 11 minutes.

The game’s first major arrived on 17 minutes. McKinless was able to lay the ball off to Padraig Cassidy despite coming in for some close attention from some Down defenders. Cassidy drove straight at the home rear-guard and just when it looked like the goal chance had gone a begging, he drove the ball high into John O’Hare’s net to give Derry the lead for the first time.

A McGuigan free opened up a Derry three-point lead which soon became five after McGuigan added one from play before Toner did likewise on 23 minutes.

Down’s Shay Millar spurred a great goal chance for Down with Lynch being caught out of position for a Down kick out. But Millar’s effort tailed to right and wide when he had more time than he maybe thought he had.

A sublime effort from a mark, out wide on the right of the Derry attack from Lachlan Murray looked to have Derry in a comfortable position but Down’s Niall Donnelly blasted to the Derry net after Derry gave up possession cheaply deep in their own half.

At the end of a thrilling opening half, Derry held a slender two-point lead, 1-8 to 1-6.  

Down wasted no time in shaking the tie up as two early goals kicked them ahead. Donnelly grabbed a second before Ceilium Doherty found the net on 44 minutes.

But Derry, and in particular Toner, refused to be rattled and four unanswered points set up a nail-biting finish that hung in the balance right to the end.

A battle played out with great intensity and one that would benefit both sides hugely with the league fast approaching.  

Teams & Scorers:

Down: John O’Hare, Ryan Magill, Ryan McEvoy, Pierce Laverty (0-1), Patrick McCarthy, Niall McParland, Conor Francis, Niall Donnelly (2-0), Odhran Murdock, Ceilium Doherty (1-0), Donnach McAleenan (0-1), Shay Millar, Liam Kerr (0-1), Pat Havern (0-3), Barry O’Hagan (0-3).

Replacements: Andrew Gilmore for Millar (39), Miceal Rooney for McAleenan (51), Patrick Brannigan for Francis (51), Mark Walsh for Havern (57), Paul Quinn for Magill (67), Rory Mason for Kerr (72)

Yellow Cards: O’Hagan (4), McEvoy (44 & 65)

Red Cards: McEvoy (65)

Penalties: Gilmore – saved, Mason – saved, O’Hagan – wide, Doherty – goal, Murdock – goal.

Derry: Odhran Lynch, Christopher McKaigue, Eoin McEvoy, Conor McCloskey, Conor Doherty, Padraig McGroogan, Padraig Cassidy (1-0), Gareth McKinless, Brendan Rogers (0-1), Anton Tohill, Niall Toner (0-5), Paul Cassidy, Ben McCarron (0-1), Shane McGuigan (0-6 4f), Lachlan Murray (0-1 Mark).

Replacements: Oisin McWilliams (0-1) for Tohill (44), Paul McNeill for Lachlan Murray (75).

Blood Sub: Paul McNeill for McKinless (60 – 68)

Yellow Cards: McKaigue (4), Tohill (14), Doherty (34), McGuigan (66)

Red Cards: McKaigue (53)

Penalties: McGroogan – wide, McGuigan – goal, Paul Cassidy – goal, Toner – post, Doherty – goal.

Referee: Mr Niall McKenna (Monaghan)