Derry 1-12 Cavan 1-10:DERRY NOTCHED all their scores from open play as they defeated Cavan in an entertaining McKenna Cup tie at Kingspan/Breffni Park.
Conleth Gilligan notched five classy points as Derry eased into a 0-11 to 0-3 interval lead. The hosts were a much improved crew after the restart and impressive substitute Gerard Pierson notched a fine brace of points. Three more unanswered points from the Blues suddenly left just a goal separating the sides with 14 minutes left.
However three minutes later, Paddy Bradley rose highest in the square to fist the ball to the net to seal Derry’s win despite Michael Brennan’s goal for the home side.
DERRY: D O Doibhilin; C Mullan, K McCloy, D McBride; M Drumm (0-1), B McGoldrick (0-1), G O Cathain; PJ McCloskey, J Conway; D Mullan (0-1), C McGoldrick, M Lynch (0-1); N McNicholl, P Bradley (1-3), C Gilligan (0-5). Subs: B McGuigan for N McNicholl (ht; N Holly for J Conway (46 mins); R Shivers for C McGoldrick (53); D Brennan for M Drumm (61).
CAVAN: J Reilly; P Carroll (0-1), E Smith, D O’Reilly; D O’Dowd, A Clarke, S Jordan; C Galligan, P O’Reilly; K Fannin (0-1), A Reilly, R Flanagan; P Gumley (0-1, free), S Johnston (0-1), M Brennan (1-1). Subs: D Ward for J Reilly (9, inj); T Corr (0-1) for C Galligan (27); G Pierson (0-3, one free) for S Johnston (inj, half-time); J McEnroe for A Reilly (53); B Reilly (0-1) for D O’Reilly (62).
Referee: S McLaughlin (Donegal).
