Ulster SHC First round/Derry 2-14 London 0-11: London's bid for Ulster hurling championship honours collapsed at Ruislip yesterday when they were well beaten by Derry.
London's best efforts came in the first half, when six points from frees by half forward Dave Bourke kept them within a point of the visitors at the interval.
When the teams emerged for the second half Derry had midfielder Ruairí Convery dismissed after a flare-up with London's Shane Linnane, but they dominated most of the half, scoring 11 points against London's three.
Derry's defensive strength came from the half-back line of Benny Ward, Cathal Brunton and Peter O'Kane. But corner forward Geoffrey McGonigle, scorer of 1-4, was the best player on view.
London manager Ambrose Gordon remains optimistic and with players of the calibre of Brian Foley, Stephen Dennehy, Kevin Ivors, Mick Hayes and Teu Ó hAilpín he has good reason.
DERRY: K Stevenson; G Brunton, L Himphey, M Conway; B Ward, C Brunton, P O'Kane; R Convery, F Kelly (0-1); K Himphey (1-0), G Biggs (0-3), Gary Biggs (0-2); D McGrellis (0-3), P Hearty (0-1), G McConigle (1-4). Sub: P Doherty for P Hearty.
LONDON: JJ Burke; S Dennehy, M Gordon, E Leamey; S Linnane, B Foley, E Phelan; M Hayes (0-1), K Ivors; D Bourke (0-7), N Lawlor, F McMahon (0-1); T Ó hAilpín (0-1), C Buckley, K White. Subs: N Murphy for Buckley, C Heaney for Linnane, E Kinlon (0-1) for Lawlor, M O'Meara for Heaney.
Referee: J Sexton (Limerick)
