Ulster SFC FT: Eoin Bradley earns Derry last-gasp win over 14-man Down

DERRY 0-12 DOWN 0-11

An injury time point from Eoin Bradley earned Derry the narrowest of wins over 14-man Down in their Ulster Senior Football Championship clash at Celtic Park this afternoon.

In a disappointing game, littered by frees as a result of a “whistle happy” referee Eddie Kinsella, Derry struggled against a Down side who were forced to play almost the entire second half with a man less as a result of a harsh sending-off.

Leading by three points at the break on a scoreline of 0-08 to 0-05, Derry’s advantage was reduced by Conor Lavery with a point straight from the throw-in at the start of the second half.

The game looked to have swung Derry’s way almost immediately when Down’s Conall McGovern was sent off after a clash Enda Lynn by the referee on the advice from an umpire.

Derry seemed to take advantage of the extra man as points from Lynch and Bradley extended their lead to four points.

However, Down fought back and two frees from Devlin and a score from play from Conor Laverty had visitors level with 55 minutes gone.

Caolan O’Boyle fisted over the bar for Derry’s first point in 20 minutes to put Brian McIver’s side back in the lead.

Another Devlin free deservedly brought Down level again with three minutes left.

However Bradley, making his first Championship start in two years, coolly slotted of an injury free to set up clash against either Armagh or Donegal who play next week.