Sport

Down catch Derry with late goals

ULSTER SHC/Semi-final replay : Down turned in a late, late show at Casement Park on Saturday to snatch victory from Derry in…

Mon Jun 03 2002 - 01:00

ULSTER SHC/Semi-final replay: Down turned in a late, late show at Casement Park on Saturday to snatch victory from Derry in the Ulster senior hurling championship semi-final replay.

A goal by Martin Coulter two minutes into injury time sent Down into next Sunday's final against Antrim.

It was no more than Down deserved. After leading by four points at the break, they weathered a Derry storm in the third quarter to hit back for victory when it seemed the holders, looking for a hat-trick of northern titles this year, had done enough to stay in the race.

The losers sent in dual player Geoffrey McGonigle in a shock substitution after just 20 minutes. The Dungiven man wasn't scheduled to play since he was included in Derry's football side for yesterday's crack at Antrim in the championship. After Down had controlled the action and led 0-6 to 0-1 McGonigle's arrival seemed to boost the holders.

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They hit back with superb long- range points by Oliver Collins and Gregory Biggs but trailed by 0-8 to 0-4 at the break.

Derry opened the second half in a determined mood and a goal by John O'Dwyer in the 43rd minute shot them into a 1-6 to 0-8 lead.

McGonigle added a point before Down were awarded a penalty. Goalkeeper Graham Clarke went upfield to take it but his rocket was saved by his opposite number Kieran Stevenson.

Down's first score of the second half didn't come until the 55th minute - a point by Ger McGrattan to leave just one score in it (1-9 to 0-9).

A goal by Noel Sands on 65 minutes levelled the scores (1-10 each) and in injury time Martin Coulter's stunning strike polished off the holders.

DOWN: Graham Clarke; S Wilson, S Murray, L Clarke; Gabriel Clarke, G Savage, T Coulter (0-2); G Adair, G Gordon; G McGrattan (0-2), M Braniff (0-1), J Trainor; P Coulter, P Braniff (0-4), N Sands (1-3). Subs: B Coulter for M Braniff (35 mins); T McMahon for Gordon (41 mins); M Coulter (1-0) for P Coulter (55 mins).

DERRY: K Stevenson; E McKeever, G Brunton, R Lynch; R McCloskey, C McEldowney, A McCloskey; D Doherty, O Collins (0-3); R Kennedy, Gregory Biggs (0-6), Gary Biggs (0-1); M Collins, P O'Kane, J O'Dwyer (1-0). Subs: G McGonigle (0-1) for Kennedy (20 mins); D Magill (0-1) for P O'Kane (56 mins).

Referee: P Horan (Offaly).