Derry roar back from nine-point deficit to claim a big point against Galway at Celtic Park

Derry 0-16

Galway 1-13

Bottom side Derry earned their first point of the league, producing an outstanding and breath-taking second half to draw with Galway at Celtic Park. The Tribesmen looked imperious in the first half, leading 1-10 to 0-4, only to see the home side produce a valiant come-back to reel their opponents in scoring ten of the last eleven points to pull level.

Lachlan Murray’s introduction in the 43rd minute proved the key catalyst for the Oakleafers, hitting three scores and providing a constant thorn in the Galway rearguard.

Shane Walsh and Shane McGuigan, with eight apiece, top scored for their respective sides. Padraig Joyce’s high flying team will be disappointed with their second half scoring return of only two efforts sailing over the bar.

Impressive early season wins over Armagh and Mayo left visitors Galway boasting two notches on the bed post, with opponents Derry yet to lose their cherry after defeats to Tyrone and, latterly, Kerry.

Shane McGuigan, however, opened the evening’s scoring sailing over a fine point in Derry’s very first attack. But league leaders Galway returned fire with serious intent, nailing four unanswered scores including Dylan McHugh’s 10th minute goal. McHugh ghosted past his man before bursting through on goal and leathering the ball into the back of the Derry net. Points from the impressive Matthew Tierney and the ubiquitous John Mayer handed the Tribesman an early 1-3 to 0-1 lead.

A brace from Paul Cassidy, the second courtesy of an outrageous Ciaran McFaul kick pass, reduced the home side’s deficit before the visitors once again hit four in a row to extend their advantage to 1-9 to 0-3. Star man Shane Walsh arrived to the party mid-way through the first half, nonchalantly converting consecutive two pointers and a free.

Paul Cassidy’s third point of the half left his side eight adrift, with the visitors having the final say of the half when Walsh, selling a delightful dummy, swung over his fifth score of the opening thirty five minutes.

Paddy Tally’s half-time team talk must well have been one for the ages as his charges produced a scintillating second half display.

Anton Tohil won the throw-in to commence the restart which culminated in a Shane McGuigan free. Cein Darcy fisted over soon after for the Tribesmen, but after that it was all Derry. The home side helped themselves to six unanswered scores, with sweeper-keeper Neil McNicholl bulldozing run and point igniting the Oakleafer’s scoring splurge.

Shane McGuigan was at the heart of Derry’s scoreboard momentum, nailing everything he hit including a 50th minute two pointer. Lachlan Murray, proved a real impact too landing scores at regular intervals as Derry tapped on the accelerator, roared on by a vociferous Celtic Park crowd desperate for a win.

As excellent as they were in the first half, outside of a 62nd minute Shane Walsh two pointer, the visitors barely threw a punch throughout a very one-sided second half.

But Derry had the bit between their teeth. Murray’s third point elicited three in a row from McGuigan to see the hosts draw level in the 69th minute. And with the hooter about to blow Ethan Doherty saw a late, late chance for a Derry winner blocked and that was that.

Derry: N McNicholl (0-1), D Baker, E McEvoy, M Bradley, C Doherty, B Rogers, D Cassidy, C Glass (0-1), A Tohill, C McFaul, P Cassidy (0-3), E Doherty, B McCarron, S McGuigan (0-1-6, 3f), N Toner.

(Subs) L Murray (0-3) for B McCarron (43), M Doherty for D Cassidy (50), C McMonagle for N Toner (58), P McGrogan for M Bradley (64)

Galway: C Gleeson, J McGrath, S Fitzgerald, L Silke, D McHugh (1-0), J Daly, S Kelly, P Conroy, J Maher (0-1), S O'Neill (0-1), S Walsh (0-3-2, 1f), C Darcy (0-1), C O Curraoin (0-1, 1f), M Tierney (0-1), F O Laoi.

(Subs) R Finnerty for C Curraoin (43), J Heaney for O Laoi (48), K Molloy for S O’Neill (54), D O’Flaherty for C Darcy (60)

Referee: David Gough