Down through to USHC Final

June 15th, 2009

Ulster SHC Semi-Final:
Down 2-17 Derry 1-15

Down overcame the sending-off of Simon Wilson late in the first half to beat Derry 2-17 to 1-15 in Sunday’s Ulster SHC semi-final at Casement Park.

A James Coyle goal helped Down to a 1-10 to 0-8 lead at half-time but the Mournemen lost Gabriel Clarke who was carried off with a compound fracture.

Wilson was then dismissed for a second yellow card offence before the break.

Gareth Johnson scored Down’s second goal and Ruairi Convery netted Derry’s goal but Down prevailed to win.

Coyle scored the opening goal of the game in the 10th minute and Down’s second goal helped Derry into a five-point lead.

Paul Braniff was in prolific form for Down, accumulating six points and, although Derry twice got to within two points of their opponents, the men from Mourne were always in control.

Derry: D McDermott, R McCloskey, S McCullagh, S McNicholl, P O’Kane, S Henry, M Craig, K Hinphey, O McCloskey, B Dodds, D Leahy, S Dodds, E McGuckin, P McCloskey, R Convery.

Down: Graham Clarke, F Conway, S Murray, S Ennis, Gabriel Clarke, R McGrattan, M Ennis, A Savage, C Woods, S Wilson, P Braniff, K Courtney, J Coyle, G Johnson, E Clarke.

Report: bbc.co.uk/ni

– Video: Down’s Jim McKernan and Martin Coulter after the defeat of Derry
– Photo Gallery: USHC – Derry v Down