Derry clinch All-Ireland quarterfinal spot with victory over Clare

All-Ireland SFC Round 3

Derry 1-19

Clare 1-13

Ulster champions Derry topped their group and clinched an All-Ireland quarter final spot after Saturday’s victory Clare at Glennon Pearse Park in Longford.

Ciaran Meenagh’s side now have the luxury of a weekend off as they scan over next weekend’s preliminary quarter-finals.

Derry began without Chrissy McKaigue and Niall Toner with Padraig Cassidy and Benny Heron handed starting berths.

The times were level four times in the opening half, but Derry hit six wides of which four came in their early stage on control on the long Clare kick-out.

Shane McGuigan (free) and goalkeeper Odhrán Lynch hit Derry points on their way to a 0-5 to 0-3 before a Derry goal chance. Niall Loughlin was denied by the leg of goalkeeper Ryan.

Clare hit the net. It was a breakaway with Derry out of position and Emmett McMahon sold Lynch a dummy before slotting low to the net beyond Conor Doherty.

It was point for point with the sides going into the break level at 0-9 to 1-6.

Derry started the half with points from Niall Lo8ghlin, Pail Cassidy and McGuigan free.

They had a greater pep in their step and when Benny Heron slid to the net for a goal to open a 1-12 to -17 lead after 62 minutes.

Derry took control of the game with Shane McGuigan finishing with a tally of 0-8.

Derry: Odhrán Lynch (0-2); Padraig Cassidy, Eoin McEvoy, Conor McCluskey; Conor Doherty, Gareth McKinless (0-2), Paudi McGrogan; Conor Glass, Brendan Rogers; Benny Heron (1-0), Paul Cassidy (0-3), Ethan Doherty (0-1); Ciaran McFaul, Shane McGuigan (0-8, 4f), Niall Loughlin (0-3, 1f)

Subs: N Toner for Padraig Cassidy (48), Ben McCarron for C McFaul (57), Shea Downey for B Heron (60), Paul McNeill for C Glass (67), Declan Cassidy for E McEvoy (72)

Yellow cards: C Glass (63),

Clare: Stephen Ryan; Ronan Lanigan, Ciaran Russell, Manus Doherty; Alan Sweeney, Pearse Lillis, Cillian Rouine; Cathal O'Connor, Darragh Bohannon (0-1); Daniel Walsh (0-1), Emmet McMahon (1-6, 6f), Jamie Malone (0-3); Brian McNamara, Keelan Sexton, Pádraic Collins

Subs: Michael Garry (0-1) for C Rouine (HT), Aaron Griffin for C O’Connor (52), Ikem Ugweru for A Sweeney (53), M McInerny (0-1) for K Sexton (53), Darren O’Neill for D Bohannon (67)

Yellow cards: C Rouine (30), C O’Connor (40), K Sexton (43),C Russell (56), M Garry (57), D Bohannon (66),

Referee: Sean Hurson (Tyrone)