Derry 2-13 Galway 1-12:THE THIN LINE between success and failure was emphasised at Pearse Stadium yesterday as Derry were relegated despite defeating Galway by four points in their best display of the league.
One score either way would have meant top-flight survival for Damien Cassidy’s side but, in the end, Monaghan’s superior scoring record means Derry are relegated.
From the start it was clear only one side had something to fight for as Derry raced into a 2-4 to 0-2 lead by the 15th minute.
Leo McGoldrick was the first to find the back of the net with a composed finish from close in after nine minutes, but when Declan Mullan added to his two early points with a powerful run which culminated in a goal, the writing was on the wall for Galway.
Eoin Concannon managed to stop the rot in the 23rd minute with his first of the day, but two further points from the boots of McGoldrick and Joe Diver put Derry 2-6 to 0-3 ahead with 10 minutes remaining in the half.
But Galway struck a telling blow a minute later when centre half back Garry O’Donnell finished a smart move involving Matthew Clancy and Joe Bergin to reduce the gap to six points. Concannon tagged on another free for the home side soon after, but three late frees for Derry from James Kielt (two) and Mark Lynch secured a half-time lead of 2-9 to 1-4 for the Derry men.
Galway responded from the restart and substitute Paul Conroy’s point was soon followed by similar efforts from Concannon and Clancy, before Nicky Joyce landed a long-range free to reduce the deficit to five.
Two quick Derry points halted Galway’s gallop but three more on the bounce, the third of which was finished by Conroy after a patient passing move, left a goal between the sides with nine minutes to go.
After the sides swapped frees, Galway’s late rally was halted when Lynch kicked a huge late free to seal the four-point win. However, seven second-half wides proved desperately expensive for Derry as they fell through the trap door into Division Two.
DERRY: B Gillis; M McGoldrick, D McBride, B Óg McAlary; C Kielt, B McGuigan, G O’Kane; F Doherty, P Bradley; SL McGoldrick (1-1), J Kielt (0-5, frees), R Wilkinson (0-1); D Mullan (1-2), M Lynch (0-3, two frees), J Diver (0-1). Subs: M Craig for McAlary (43 mins); E Brown for Mullan (57); B McGoldrick for J Kielt (65); B Mullan for C Kielt (68).
GALWAY: E Ó Conghaile; D Burke, F Hanley, D O’Neill; D Meehan, G O’Donnell (1-0), G Bradshaw; N Coleman, C Healy; G Sice, F Breathnach, J Bergin (0-1); E Concannon (0-3, frees), N Joyce (0-5, four frees), M Clancy (0-1). Subs: T Fahy for O’Neill (18 mins); P Conroy (0-2) for Healy (27); C Bane for Clancy (62); A Burke for Hanley (70).
Referee: M Deegan (Laois).
