Derry fight back to draw after letting eight-point lead slip against Galway at Celtic Park

Derry 2-20 ... Galway 4-14

A late Conor Doherty earned Derry a draw from the jaws of both victory and defeat at Celtic Park on Sunday.

Derry led by eight points at one stage but a second Matthew Tierney goal had Galway one up before the home side worked a neat move to kick the equalizer with the last kick of an amazing game.

Derry and Galway’s qualification hopes will now go to the last weekend against Dublin and respectively in two weeks’ time.

Galway were against the wind in the first half and Sam O’Neill kicked the opening score before Brendan Rogers landed a two-pointer for Derry.

IN PICTURES: Faces in the crowd at Celtic Park as Derry draw with Galway

Conroy levelled before Derry pushed ahead with points from Glass and McGuigan.

Derry were playing like a team with their season on the line, aggressive on the Galway kick-out.

The visitors hit the front when Finnerty forced the ball over the line in a goalmouth scramble but it was Derry who hit back immediately.

Baker made the run from defence, passing to Loughlin with Glass finishing at the far post.

Cassidy and McGuigan (free) kicked two-point scores as Derry pushed 1-8 to 1-3 ahead.

IN PICTURES: The 'Foyle All Stars' shine at Celtic Park

Finner replied with a Galway score before Walsh pushed inside McEvoy to bag a second Galway goal.

Derry finished with a flourish with Loughlin and McFaul kicking Derry into a 1-11 to 2-6 interval lead.

John Maher and Niall Toner (free) exchanged points before Connor Gleeson made a brilliant save to deny Paul Cassidy. Glass kicked the 45 for a 1-13 to 2-7 lead.

Glass with Loughlin then made it a five-point lead in the 49th minute.

When Derry won the next kick-out Lachlan Murray – with his first touch - making a goal for Loughlin.

Cooke kicked a two-point score with his first touch with Glass winning the next kick out and Cassidy hitting a response.

Derry breathed a sigh of relief when a Finnerty shot for a point whizzed wide and they needed McKinless to touch a Seán Kelly shot over the bar.

Finnerty punished a kickout to score and it was a five-point game again with 12 minutes to go. Tere was also a Cooke fisted effort that flashed wide.

Galway hit back with a goal. A questionable sideline ball went Galway’s way and when Finnerty squared the pass and Tierney bagged their third goal.

Derry failed to kill off the game and when Tierney hit the game’s last goal, Doherty levelled the game with the last kick.
 
Scorers for Derry: Conor Glass 1-3 (1 45), Niall Loughlin 1-2, Shane McGuigan 0-4 (2tp), Brendan Rogers, Paul Cassidy 0-3 (1tp) each, Lachlan Murray 0-2, Conor Doherty, Niall Toner (f) and Ciaran McFaul 0-1 each

Scorers for Galway: Matthew Tierney 2-0, Robert Finnerty 1-3 (1f), Shane Walsh 1-1 (f), Peter Cooke (tp), Matthew Costello 0-2 each, Sam O’Neill, Damien Comer (m), John Maher, Paul Conroy, Céin D’Arcy and Seán Kelly 0-1 each

Derry: Ben McKinless; Patrick McGurk, Eoin McEvoy, Diarmuid Baker; Conor Doherty, Paudi McGrogan, Dan Higgins; Conor Glass, Brendan Rogers; Ethan Doherty, Paul Cassidy, Ciaran McFaul; Shane McGuigan, Niall Loughlin, Niall Toner

Subs: Lachlan Murray for E Doherty (INJ 44), Ruairí Forbes for McGurk (57), Anton Tohill for Loughlin (60), Ethan Doherty for Toner (63)

Yellow cards: C Doherty (15), P McGrogan (17), D Baker (28), C Glass (54)

Galway: Connor Gleeson; Johnny McGrath, Seán Ó Maoilchiaráin, Jack Glynn; Dylan McHugh, Seán Kelly, Liam Silke; Paul Conroy, John Maher; Matthew Thompson, Cillian McDaid, Sam O'Neill; Matthew Tierney, Rob Finnerty, Shane Walsh

Subs: Céin D'Arcy (Ballyboden St Enda’s) for O’Neill (19), Peter Cooke for McDaid (50), Damien Comer for Conroy (50), John Daly for Walsh (60), Kieran Molloy for McHugh, Johnny Heaney for Ó Maoilchiaráin (67)

Yellow cards: D’Arcy (20), Finnerty (28)

Referee: Niall Cullen (Fermanagh)