Allianz Hurling League Division Two, round one
Tyrone 0-14 Derry 1-13
Derry did just enough to edge out their neighbours from across the Sperrins at O’Neills Healy Park on Saturday writes Francis Mooney.
Gerard Bradley’s first-half goal proved to be the crucial score as the Oak Leafers got off to a winning start, while the class of Christy McNaughton, who struck a couple of sublime points late on, shone brightly.
Johnny McGarvey’s men were somewhat relieved to have survived Tyrone’s late hunt for a goal that could have produced an entirely different outcome.
Aidy Kelly accounted for all of Tyrone’s seven first-half scores, six of them from frees, as he kept his side in touch throughout.
But it was the Oak Leafers, playing into the wind and sporadic snow showers, who carried a greater and more varied attacking threat.
Jack Cassidy, Shea Cassidy and Gerard Bradley all found the target, and a fine John Mullan effort had them a point ahead at the end of the opening quarter.
And they created three goal-scoring chances in quick succession, taking just one of them, a neat finish from Bradley in the 21st minute following a turnover.
The home side responded with three Kelly scores, but Christy McNaughton sent Derry in with a 1-6 to 0-7 interval lead.
McNaughton and Shea Cassidy stretched the Derry lead, and a brilliant McNaughton effort had them five ahead going into the final quarter.
But Aidan Woods and Kelly hit back to keep the home side very much in the hunt, with Mickey Little narrowing the gap to a single point with seven minutes to play.
Substitute Mark McCann sent over a couple of Tyrone scores, but the Oaks survived, with Mark Craig leading a defensive shut-out as Tyrone went for goal lage on.
And Ryan McGill and McNaughton were both on target from long-range to seal the points for Johnny McGarvey’s side.
Tyrone A Kelly 0-10 (0-9f); M McCann 0-2; M Little & A Woods 0-1 each
Derry C McNaughton 0-5 (0-2f;) G Bradley 1-1; S Cassidy 0-3; J Mullan 0-2; R McGill & J Cassidy 0-1 each
Meath 2-12 Donegal 1-14.
Unlucky Donegal slipped to a one-point defeat at the death in a thriller they looked like winning in Trim writes Gerry McLaughlin.
Mickey McCann’s men led by 1-13 to 2-9 four minutes from time and looked to be on track to pick up two precious away points.
But three late points, two from frees, from Meath marksman Jack Regan broke the visitors’ hearts and gave the home side the narrowest of wins.
A well-organised Donegal were dominant for long periods and they got a great early fillip when keeper Luke White smashed the sliotar to the Meath net from a penalty to put them into a 1-2 to 1-1 lead which cancelled out Cian Rogers’ early goal for the Royals.
Liam McKinney added a point and Gerry Gilmore was on target for Donegal from frees.
Meath responded through the talismanic Regan.
It was a very evenly contested opening half, with wind-assisted Meath edging in front by 1-7 to 1-6.
Donegal upped their game on the resumption but gave away a few soft frees.
And they were knocked back by a second Regan goal midway through the half.
But, inspired by Danny Cullen and Brian McIntyre, who both landed some fine points, Donegal reasserted themselves and looked to be in command coming into those final moments.
However, just when victory seemed within their grasp, Regan once again made sure they went home empty-handed.
It was a disappointing result for Donegal, who deserved at least a draw and now have a must-win game against Tyrone, at home next weekend.
Meath J Regan 1-7 (0-5f); C Rogers 1-2; J Cooke, S Ennis & K Gorman 0-1 each
Donegal G Gilmore 0-7 (0-6f); L White 1-1 (1-0p, 0-1f); B McIntyre 0-3; D Cullen, S Ward & L McKinney 0-1 each
