Sharper Derry Masters come away with win in Convoy

Derry 2-10   |   Donegal 0-10

Donegal Masters lost out to Derry in Convoy on Wednesday evening with their shooting a big factor in the defeat. They were without their captain for the game, Conor McShane.

By the end of the game they had 10 bad wides to their credit, with only midfielder Benny Boyle having his shooting boots with him.

Derry were much sharper in front of the posts with Raymond Wilkinson, in particular, very sharp.

In a drizzle both sides had handling issues in the opening half but the biggest issues came with the refereeing of Tyrone official Odhran Gallen, who seemed extremely harsh on Donegal at times.

Aaron Thompson had the opening score after three minutes and the first of a number of mysterious decisions by the referee saw a Donegal free overturned and moved on but Paddy Bradley was wide from well within his scoring distance.

It was to be the only Derry wide of the opening half while Donegal suffered in front of the posts, with five wides to their name by the break.

The Derry ‘keeper had a shaky period and when Eunan Keaveney won a kick-out, Benny Boyle hit a very good score for Donegal.

Derry hit back but it looked as if Sean McDaid was fouled by play was moved on and Raymond Wilkinson had a tap in goal on 13 minutes.

Donegal were  then the recipients of a moved on ball (from the 65m line to the 45m line) but Benny Boyle’s effort was wide.

Paddy Bradley added a free but Hugh Foy did well to win a free at the other end and Damien Browne had an easy conversion.

Two former Derry stars combined for the next score with Paddy Bradley, who was well marshalled by Eamon Ward, flicking on to Gerard O’Kane to fire over.

Karl O’Brien made a great save from Mark McGuinness before Nigel McGonagle set up Benny Boyle for another good score and leave it 1-3 to  0-4 in Derry’s favour by the 23rd minute.

Donegal then had a couple of bad wides as Derry hit three more before the break, a free from Bradley and two good points from corner-forward Raymond Wilkinson.

Half-time: Donegal 0-4, Derry 1-6.

Damien Browne got Donegal off to a good start to the second half with a pointed free but Derry hit back with points from  Stephen McGuigan (free) and the impressive Raymond Wilkinson. Paddy Bradley did not appear for the second half for Derry and they  lost Kevin McGuckin to injury also.

Stephen Coyle pointed a free and then missed one closer in as Donegal added three more wides to their first half tally of five. Benny Boyle hit two more points for Donegal but in between their goal had a miraculous escape when Sean McDaid saved on the line and  blocks denied Derry a second goal.

But that second goal did arrive on 50 minutes with Ciaran McIvor driving home.

Donegal were never able to create a goal chance in reply with a free by their best player Benny Boyle the only response.

Donegal scorers: Benny Boyle 0-6,1f; Damien Browne 0-2,2f; Aaron Thompson, Stephen Coyle (f) 0-1 each.

Derry scorers: Raymond Wilkinson 1-3; Ciaran McIvor 1-0; Paddy Bradley 0-3,3f; Gerard O’Kane, Conor Dolan, Stephen McGuigan, Jimmy O’Connor 0-1 each.

Donegal: Karl O’Brien; Paddy Doohan, Eamon Ward, Ciaran Cunningham; Nicky McGarrigle, Sean McDaid, Martin Donaghey; Brendan Boyle, Hugh Foy; Lawrence McMullan, Eunan Keaveney, Nigel McGonagle; Gerard McBrearty, Damien Browne, Aaron Thompson.

Subs (rolling): Antoine O’Hara, Brian McLaughlin, Paddy Hannigan, Rory Nelis, David McShane, Enda Bonner, Paul McCrudden, Gavin McGinley, Diarmaid Slevin, Joe O’Donnell, Stephen Doherty, Paul Gallagher, Ciaran Duffy, Stephen Coyle, Seamus Hegarty, Brian Doherty, Benny Quinn, Gary Gillen, Michael Canning, Paul Patton

Derry: Pearse  Callan; Adrian Deery, Philip Mooney, Jack Joe Bigmore;  Donal Brolly, Gerard  O’Kane, Brian Mullan; Kevin McGuckin, Eugene Scullion; Jimmy O’Connor, Gavin Diamond, Mark McGuinness; Raymond Wilkinson, Paddy Bradley, Rory O’Reilly.

Subs (rolling): Eunan Murphy, Benny McVey, Ricky Clarke, Conor Dolan,  Kevin Cosgrove, Stephen McGeehin, Eddie Lachlann, Ryan O’Kane, Gareth Murphy, Ciaran McIvor.

Referee: Odhran Gallen (Tyrone)