Down 3-19 Derry 1-9:AFTER EARLIER losing to Derry in the Christy Ring Cup, Down paid the Oak Leap men in their own coin at breezy Casement Park.
Two goals in a blistering opening seven-minute spell set the foundations for this Mourne win.
Team captain Paul Braniff dictated matters up front for the Mournemen as he totted up a tally of 1-10, as well as linking with his fellow Down attackers.
The centre forward was deadly accurate from placed balls, missing a score just once and that was from long range
DOWN: Graham Clarke; M Hughes, C Coulter, S Ennis; K McGarry, C Woods, M Ennis; A Savage, E Clarke (0-1); S Nicholson (0-2), P Braniff (1-10, 10 frees), S Clarke; B Ennis (0-2), G Johnston (2-2), J Coyle (0-1). Subs: C Mageean for S Clarke (62), D Toner (0-1) for Coyle, Gabriel Clarke for McGarry (69).
DERRY: D McDermott; L Hawkins, M Craig, C Quinn; C McKenna, L Hinphey, R McCloskey; K Hinphey (0-1), O McCloskey (0-1); A Grant (1-1), C McKeever, P Henry; P Kelly, R Convery (0-5, four frees), O Doherty (0-1). Subs: M Kirkpatrick for Doherty (47), D McCloskey for Quinn (51), S Ferran for Kelly (58).
Referee: O Elliott (Antrim).
