Derry cruise into National League final with victory over Roscommon at Celtic Park

Derry 2-19

Roscommon 1-9

Derry booked their spot in next weekend’s National League final with victory over Roscommon at Celtic Park.

It was a waltz with Lachlan Murray hitting 1-4 as the home team romped to victory.

The Rossies went 20 minutes without a score as Derry turned up the heat.

Roscommon should’ve found the net in the third minute when Enda Smith blasted over with Conor Glass doing likewise.

The home side made four changes and lost Gareth McKinless to a facial

Derry’s goal came in the 10th minute with Conleth McGuckian intercepting a kickout to make the chance for Declan Cassidy, who finished well.

The Rossies replied seconds later when a ball bounced over everyone from the kick-out before Donie Smith flicked to the net from an acute angle.

Points from Lachlann Murray and Paul Cassidy settled the home side with an Eoin McCormack point levelled matters at 13 each after 13 minutes.

Murray Pulled a goal chance wide before he nosed Derry back level again as the game began to settle.

The Rossies had another goal chance ahead of the break. Trailing 1-6 to 1-5, Brian Stack blazed a shot wide before Cassidy and McGuigan pointed for a three-point interval lead.

The visitors were soon level with points from Diarmuid Murtagh (2) and Enda Smith before Toner hit Derry’s first score of the second half after 43 minutes.

Derry then turned up the heat with points from half-time sub Niall Toner, Ethan Doherty and Murray.

Lynch made a save from Enda Smith as Roscommon tried to find a way back.

Murray powered home Derry’s second goal to put the game out of dight in the 61st minute, 2-15 to 1-8.

Conor Cox and James Fitzpatrick had late goal chances denied by Lynch as Derry eased to next Sunday’s date with Dublin.

Derry: O Lynch; C McCluskey, C McKaigue, D Baker; G McKinless, E McEvoy (0-1), D Gilmore; C Glass (0-1), C Doherty; E Doherty (0-4), D Cassidy (1-0), P Cassidy (0-2); C McGuckian, S McGuigan (0-4, 1f), L Murray (1-4)Subs: B Rogers for G McKinless (INJ 8), C McFaul (0-1) for D Cassidy (HT), N Toner (0-1) for C McGuckian (HT), S Downey for C Doherty (57), M Downey for C Glass (63), C Murphy (0-1) for L Murray (63)

Yellow cards: C McCluskey (22), B Rogers (37)

Roscommon: C Carroll; D Murray, B Stack, P Gavin; N Daly (0-1), N Higgins, E McCormack (0-1); E Smith (0-2), U Harney; D Ruane, R Fallon, R Daly; D Cregg (0-1f), D Murtagh (0-3, 2f), D Smith (1-0)

Subs: S Cunnane for D Cregg (50), J Fitzpatrick for N Higgins (54), C Hussey for D Smith (54), C Cox (0-1) for U Harney (61), C Lennon for R Fallon (61)

Yellow cards: U Harney (55), J Fitzpatrick (73)

Attendance: 3,712

Referee: D Gough (Meath)