Derry 1-21 Monaghan 1-12:DERRY COMPLETED their McKenna Cup group phase in imperious fashion by putting Monaghan to the sword during the second half at Celtic Park yesterday afternoon.
The accuracy of Paul Finlay had helped keep Monaghan in touch at the break but with Conleith Gilligan looking particularly sharp and Brian McCallion raiding forward for two impressive points, Derry piled on the scores in the second half to cruise to a nine- point win.
Early scores from Gilligan, Paddy Bradley and Niall McNicholl saw Derry lead 0-3 to 0-1 after 10 minutes, Finlay getting the Monaghan score.
Monaghan were well in the game at this stage and points from Finlay, a super effort from James Turley and Paddy Kieran saw them edge in front. It was nip and tuck for the remainder off the half as Gilligan, Bradley, Mark Lynch, Seán Leo McGoldrick added points for Derry while Finlay (two) and Mark Downey pointed for Monaghan to see the hosts lead 0-8 to 0-7 at the interval.
New Derry manager John Brennan’s interval pep-talk seemed to have its effect as Gilligan and Bradley pointed twice each and James Conway scored from range to stretch the lead to six points.
Monaghan were still working hard but every time they scored Derry replied and when Gilligan volleyed home a goal on 50 minutes the home team were 1-16 to 0-10 to the good.
A well-worked Monaghan goal from Duffy saw them close the gap but a fight back never looked likely and by the time Danny Devlin saved Paul Finlay’s late penalty the result was already beyond doubt.
With three wins under their belt and nine players to come back from the university squads and sharpshooting Eoin Bradley still to return, Derry look in fine fettle as the National League approaches.
DERRY:D Devlin; B McCallion (0-2), G O'Kane, D McBride; M Drumm (0-1), B McGoldrick (0-1), A McAlynn; PJ McCloskey, J Conway (0-1); D Mullan, SL McGoldrick (0-1), M Lynch (0-1); N McNicholl (0-1), P Bradley (0-7, three frees), C Gilligan (1-6, two frees). Subs: N Holly for Conway (60 mins), B McGuigan for B McGoldrick (66 mins), M Donaghy for M Lynch (67 mins), C McGoldrick for Gilligan (68 mins), D Mulholland for Bradley (69 mins).
MONAGHAN:P McBennett; D Wylie, S Driver, K Duffy; P Kiernan (0-1), J O'Hara, S Smyth; D Clerkin, F Caulfield; G Doogan, M Downey (0-1), J Turley (0-1); K Hill, P Finlay (0-8, five frees), T Duffy. Subs: D Connolly for Driver (28 mins), O Duffy (1-1) for Smyth (ht), M McElroy for T Duffy (53 mins), B McKenna for (60 mins).
Referee:J White (Donegal).
