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01 Mar 2026

Derry’s hopes of staying in Division Two dealt a massive blow

Derry 0-14 London 3-7

Derry’s hopes of staying in Division Two dealt a massive blow

Derry’s Darragh McGilligan looks for support against London at Celtic Park. (Photo - Tom Heaney, nwpresspics)

Reporter:

Staff Reporter

01 Mar 2026 8:55 AM

Email:

sport@derrynow.com

Derry’s hopes of staying in Division Two were dealt a massive blow on Saturday afternoon, losing to London on Saturday afternoon at a windswept Find Insurance Celtic Pack.
Derry have to win in Westmeath next weekend to give themselves a chance to avoid the drop.
The Exiles had the breeze and hit three first-half goals to lay their foundation for victory.
Substitute David Devine hit their only frees after the break but they managed to control the pattern of the game.
The home side missed a host of chances including an easy Shéa Cassidy free in the opening minute.
At the other end, London hit the net when ball came down off the post, the sliotar was word to Fionn O’Riain Broin who lashed to the net.
London were fired up and it left Derry chasing game. It took 11 minutes before Shéa Cassidy opened the Oakleafers’ account.
Cormac O’Doherty, Shéa Cassidy and Eamon Conway all hit scores and Derry with within a point, 1-4 to 0-6, before London’s second goal.
With five minutes to the break O’Riain Broin passed to Fionn Whelan ho lashed home with Jack Morrisey adding a third for a 3-5 to 0-7 interval lead.
O’Doherty, Darragh McGilligan and Shéa Cassidy all were on target for Derry who pulled the margin back to two points before a second Devine free.
In a fractured second half, London won the dirty balls in the rucks and controlled the tempo.
With three points between the sides, Derry had a goal chance from a close-range Sean Kelly free that was diverted for a 65 that O’Doherty converted but ti wasn’t enough.
Scorers
Derry: Shéa Cassidy 0-7 (5f), Cormac O’Doherty 0-5 (2f, 1 65), Eamon Conway and Darragh McGilligan 0-1 each
London: Fionn O’Riain Broin 1-2 (2f), Jack Morrisey 1-1, Fionn Whelan 1-0, David Devine 0-2f, Tom Hanifin 0-1 and Sean Glynn 0-1 each
Teas
Derry: Sean Kelly; Patrick Turner, Joseph Mulholland, Cathair McGilligan; Conor Coyle, Meehaul McGrath, Eamon Cassidy; Eamon Conway, Fintan Bradley; Thomas Brady, Deaglan Foley, Darragh McGilligan; Cormac O'Doherty, Shéa Cassidy, Tiernan Melaugh. Subs: Ryan McGarvey for Brady (55), Jamie Lee McGlade for Conway (Blood sub 57, reversed (60), JL McGlade for Melaugh (60)
London: Mark Kilgannon; Barry Morrissey, Conor Byrne, Niall Fitzgerald; Paul Kennedy, Padraig Muldoon, Jack Loughnane; Rory Lodge, Tom Hanifin; Sean Flynn, Fionn O’Riain Broin, Fionn Whelan; Orann Donnelly, Ronan McGrady, Jack Morrisey. Subs: David Devine for Donnelly (31), Ruairi Cummins for Lodge (48), Donnacha Leahy for McGready (52), Eevan Kelly for Whelan (65)
Referee: Kevin Parke (Antrim)

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