Sport

Derry's Convery strikes late to salvage a draw

Ulster SHC Semi-final/ Derry 0-16 Down 1-13: Ruairi Convery proved Derry's hero for the second week in succession at Casement…

Mon May 21 2007 - 01:00

Ulster SHC Semi-final/ Derry 0-16 Down 1-13:Ruairi Convery proved Derry's hero for the second week in succession at Casement Park yesterday.

Last week the Swatragh man hit an injury-time free to clinch victory over Armagh, this time he pointed from play deep into the added minutes to give Derry a second bite at Down. It had looked like the towering midfielder would finish this game as the villain as his attempt at an equalising free had tailed wide seconds earlier but after latching on to a breaking ball he made no mistake second time round to set up a replay.

For their part Down will rue two second-half goal chances for Paddy Coulter and Gareth Johnson.

Overall, it was no surprise that the sides ended level as the game was nip and tuck throughout and by the 22nd-minute mark the teams were level at 0-5 apiece.

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In the 24th minute Derry had the chance to open up a gap but had to settle for a point when Convery rifled a free over the bar after Stephen Murray's foul on McSorley. Quinn then angled over a point from the right wing to make it 0-7 to 0-5 for Derry.

However, just when Derry looked set to take a hold of the game, back came Down. Gareth Johnson pointed from 20 metres after Derry failed to clear their lines and Brendan McGourty fired over to level matters.

On 31 minutes Down struck for the first goal when Eoin Clarke shot home a ground ball after the sliotar broke from Mickey Conway's challenge on Andy Savage. But back came Derry and a Convery free and an injury-time point from Seán Leo McGoldrick left the minimum between the sides at the break at 1-7 to 0-9. The closeness of the contest continued after the break as Down's McGourty pointed twice from play only to see Convery and McSorley respond. A long range Conway free made it 1-10 to 0-11 to Down by the 52nd minute but three consecutive Derry points from Convery (two) and Gareth O'Kane edged Derry back in front.

Gary Savage and Conway pointed for Down, with McSorley and Convery again replying. As the game entered injury-time Johnson set up Jerome Trainor for what looked like the winner but at the second time of asking Convery salvaged a draw for Derry.

DERRY: J McEldowney; S McCullagh, M Conway, R McCloskey; P. O'Kane, L Hinphey, C Brunton; K Hinphey, R Convery (0-11, nine frees); G O'Kane (0-1), C Quinn (0-1), R Kennedy; S McBride, D McSorley (0-2), S L McGoldrick (0-1). Sub: Gavin Kelly for McBride.

DOWN: G. Clarke; L Clarke S Murray, F Conway (0-3, two frees, 65); J Trainor (0-1), A Dynes, M Ennis; A Savage (0-1), Gabriel Clarke; B McGourty (0-4), G Johnson (0-3, one free), C Coulter; E Clarke (1-0), G Savage (0-1), E Trainor. Subs: P Coulter for C Coulter, K Courtney for E Trainor.

Referee: J Kelly(Wexford).