Derry edge unlucky Exiles

June 1st, 2009

Ulster SHC Quarter-final
Derry 4-10 London 3-12

Derry, by virtue of Saturday night’s 4-10 to 3-12 victory over London at Casement Park, will meet Down in the semi-final of the Ulster SHC.

This was a cracking game from the start: 35 seconds in, Kevin McMullan goaled for London, but Michael Kirkpatrick rallied with a Derry major on eight minutes.

Ruairi Convery’s 15th-minute sideline cut was not cleared and Donal Leahy was predatory and goaled for Derry.

Derry led by 2-7 to 1-6 at the break and went further ahead just after the break through a Eugene McGuckin goal, only for McMullan to notch his second Exiles major. There was now two in it.

Ruairi Convery, Oisin McCloskey and Paddy McCloskey got vital Derry points, before substitute Sam Dodds sealed it with a stoppage-time green flag.

The impressive Martin Finn’s late goal brought his tally to 1-8 for London, but it was not enough.

Derry: D McDermott, R McCloskey, P McGlade, S McNicholl, P O’Kane, S McCullagh, M Craig, K Hinphey, O McCloskey (0-3, 1f, 1 ‘65′), C Murphy, D Leahy (1-0), E McGuckin (1-2), A Kelly (0-1), M Kirkpatrick (1-0), R Convery (0-3 2f, 1 pen).

Subs: S Henry for R McCloskey, S Dodds (1-0) for Kelly, M Scullen for Kirkpatrick, P McCloskey (0-1) for Murphy

London: P Gannon, C Burke, K Forde, E Phelan (0-1), F McMahon, N Healy, K Kennedy, S Fox, N O’Grady, M Mythen, C O’Dwyer (0-1), T Twomey (0-1), H Vaughan, M Finn (1-8, 6f, 2 ’65’), K McMullan (2-1).

Subs: E Morrissey for Twomey, N Cody for Fox.

Referee: T McIntyre (Antrim).

– Video: A one-point win for Derry in the Ulster Senior Hurling Championship
– Photo Gallery: Derry v London USHC