Derry win over Cavan not enough to secure promotion to Division One

Derry enjoyed a four point victory over Cavan at Find Insurance Celtic Park, but results elsewhere thwarted their hopes of promotion to Division One.
The Oakleafers had pinned their hopes on a Tyrone win over Cork which would have sent them up to the top tier, but the noisy neighbours failed to fulfil their part of the bargain.
Defeated but relieved Cavan will also play Division Two football next season.
On a day of mixed feelings, a number of Derry men certainly caught the eye. Goalkeeper Shea McGuckin added another clean sheet to his repertoire, while Diarmuid Baker and Ruairi Forbes excelled in the full-back line.
Gareth McKinless and Paudie McGrogan brought steel and energy in front of them. Brendan Rogers sacrificed his usual marauding role to police Cavan danger man Paddy Lynch and keep the Breffni danger man scoreless from play.
Conor Glass and Dan Higgins more than played their part at centre field while the ever reliable Niall Loughlin hit the game’s only goal. Ethan Doherty tormented Cavan men all game. Lachlan Murray raised arses off seats any time he took on fearful defenders while Shane McGuigan returned to his very best, top scoring with eleven points. Elsewhere Derry welcomed the return of Conor McCluskey,
Three in a row from Cavan to conclude the first half left the visitors trailing just 1-9 to 0-9 at the break. Indeed Dermot McCabe’s side, scrapping for their Division Two lives, raced to an early 0-3 to no score lead early on. Gearoid McKiernan opened their account when he fisted over. Points from Conor Brady and Tiarnan Madden quickly followed suit.
Very much second best at kick out time early on, Derry sprung into life in the 8th minute when Niall Loughlin drilled an unstoppable ball into the back of the Cavan net. A lovely, mazy run from Desertmartin’s finest Lachlan Murray edged Derry ahead soon after.
Shane McGuigan’s first two pointer of an impressive first half then handed the Oakleafers a 1-5 to 0-4 lead.
Ciaran Brady brought a fine save out of Shea McGuckin before Dara McVeety pointed the rebound as both sides wrestled for supremacy.
The hosts took a firm grip of midfield thereafter, however, which yielded five of the next six points with McGuigan again in the thick of their scoring. Dan Higgins also pulled off a stunning defensive high catch to help retain Derry’s clean sheet.
Trailing 1-8 to 0-5 the Breffni County finished the opening half powerfully through a brace from McKiernan, and points from Oisin Brady and Tiarnan Madden.
Derry enjoyed the much better third quarter, rallying to a 1-15 to 0-10 advantage with Lachlan Murray finding a pocket of space and form. Ethan Doherty pinned his ears back and scored a beaut as well.
And when Ciaran Meenagh’s men led 1-18 to 0-14 the contest appeared done and dusted.
McGuigan nailed yet another, before Doherty slotted over a clinker from a very difficult angle. Ruairi Forbes, enjoying such a fantastic break out season, rampaged forward for a point.
However, with their Division Two status possibly on the line Cavan lasered over a number of two pointers from Oisin Brady, Ryan Donohoe and Dara McVeety to briefly suggest an upset win. But despite pulling hard on the rope, Derry dug their heels in.
But when the fat was in the fire late points from that apex predator McGuigan, who mined 11 on the day, and substitute Sean Young, jinking past his man, confirmed the Oakleaf win.
When the two opponents retreated to different corners of the ring, despite missing key cogs Conor Doherty and Eoin McEvoy, Derry were four point victors.
Roll on the Championship…

Derry: S McGuckin, D Baker, R Forbes (0-1), C Doherty, G McKinless, P McGrogan, C Glass, B Rogers, E Doherty (0-3), R O Mianain, P Cassidy, M Downey, N Loughlin (1-1), S McGuigan (0-11, 2tp, 2f), L Murray (0-3). Subs: C McCluskey for M Downey (HT), N Toner for R O Mianain (48), Sean Young (0-1) for P Cassidy (58), N O’Donnell for D Higgins (64), S Kearney for R Forbes (68)

Cavan: L Brady, J McLoughlin, B O’Connell, C Brady, N Carolan, C Brady (0-1), R Donohoe (0-2, 1tp), G McKiernan (0-5, 2f), T Madden (0-2), E Clarke, O Brady (0-4, 1tp), E Shehu, D McVeety (0-3, 1tp), P Lynch (0-2, 1tp). Subs: G Smith for E Shehu (48), P Corrigan for C Brady (56), F Shehu for O Brady (60), C McGovern for P Lynch (68), R Tobin for N Carolan (68)

Referee: T Murphy (Galway)