Christy Ring Cup semi-final
Derry to face Kerry in Christy Ring final

Derry 0-23
Down 2-12

Steven Doherty reports from Owenbeg

DERRY have made it to their first ever Christy Ring Cup final after a five point win over Down at Owenbeg yesterday.
The Oak Leaf county trailed by a point at the break after a tightly contested first half, but dominated proceedings in the second half to run out comfortable winners. Derry’s Paul Cleary produced a man of the match performance scoring 0-6 from play as the Derry forward line finally clicked for the first time in the competition.
The game started early and began at a break neck pace that rarely let up as both teams went for it right from the start. Derry talisman Ruairi Convery, who would put in his best performance of the year in an Oak Leaf shirt, opened the scoring when he converted a free from his own half into a strong Owenbeg wind. Steven Dineen replied for Down, and the game ebbed and flowed until a Gareth ‘Magic’ Johnson’s goal gave the Ardsmen a one point half-time advantage 1-8 to 0-10.
Tom McLean’s men got the better of the restart hitting four consecutive points. A James Coyle major once again brought Down right back into the game in the 45th minute. However, the home side continued to rule the roost and picked off points at regular intervals with Cleary, Convery and Alan Grant leading a superb Derry attacking unit. Two late Convery scores sealed the deal with the Oak Leafers running out five point victors.

Derry will meet Kerry in Saturday’s final at Croke Park after the Kingdom put the reigning Christy Ring holders Kildare to the sword 6-27 to 0-9 at Newbridge.

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