Allianz National Football League Division One, Round One: Derry 1-15 Tyrone 2-12
Derry’s Cailean O’Boyle scores a goal against Tyrone during Saturday nights National League match at Celtic Park. Picture Margaret McLaughlin ©
Derry announced their return to division one with a display of real character, including glimpses of real quality, to reel in a seven-point deficit and salvage a draw from a shoot-out against local rivals Tyrone at a wet and windy Celtic Park.
Early goals in both halves from Conor Grugan and Darren McCurry looked seemed destined to see Mickey Harte's leave with both points. But with man of the match Sean Leo McGoldrick pulling the strings and Cailean O'Boyle coming off the bench to find the net, the home team managed to recover and could even have won the game had they been less profligate.
Derry notched the opening score of the game when James Kielt converted from a free after a foul on Ciaran McFaul. From the kickout Tyrone cut Derry wide open and Conan Grugan had the freedom of Celtic Park to rocket a shot to the net from 20 metres.
The next 10 minutes were dominated by the home team as Mark Lynch (two), Enda Lynn (two), McFaul kicked them into a 0-6 to 1-0 lead.
But as the half progressed Tyrone took control of centrefield as Darren McCurry kicked a free and a point from play and Niall Morgan converted two 45s. Ciaran McFaul's point levelled matters for Derry at 0-7 to 1-4 on 21 minutes but a Morgan free and a point from play by McCurry saw the Red Hand men lead by 1-6 to 0-7 at the break.
Tyrone again looked sharper at the start of the second half and a McCurry free and point from Shea McGuigan extended their lead.
Enda Lynn pulled a point back for Derry but Mattie Donnelly responded from a free and Tyrone pulled clear when Darren McCurry dispossessed Derry keeper Thomas Mallon and fired the ball to the empty net for 2-9 to 0-8 lead on 41 minutes.
Derry however fought back Emmet McGuckin and Aidan McAlynn pointed to narrow the margin while Fergal Doherty saw a goal bound effort deflected on to the post.
Ronan O'Neill converted a free for Tyrone but the home team got back in contention after a super score from Kielt and a goal from Cailean O'Boyle who palmed home from close range to make it 1-12 to 2-10 on 52 minutes.
A free from O'Neill and a beautifully angled point from Grugan put Tyrone three ahead but again Derry responded and points from Gerard O'Kane, Fergal Doherty and Mark Lynch had the sides level at 1-15 to 2-12 with seven minutes to play.
The closing exchanges became extremely tense and neither side could fashion a clear cut chance to win it Grugan coming closest at the death for Tyrone but his shot from left drifted just wide.
Ultimately, Derry will have been disappointed to lose the game having established a winning platform towards to end. However, a point with a trip to Tralee to come next Sunday gets them off the mark in the top flight.
Derry: T Mallon; D Brown, C McKaigue, D McBride; A McAlynn (0-1), M Lynch (0-4, 2f), SL McGoldrick; F Doherty (0-1), P Bradley; G O'Kane (0-1), J Kielt (0-2, 1f), E Lynn (0-3); C McFaul (0-2), E McGuckin (0-1), B Heron.
Subs: D Mullan for B Heron (half-time), C O'Boyle (1-0) for McFaul (48), C McGoldrick for McGuckin (62).
Tyrone: N Morgan (0-3, 2 45s, 1f) ; A McCrory, C Clarke, B Tierney; C McGinley, P Harte, R McNabb; D McBride, C Grugan (1-1); N McKenna, S McGuigan (0-1), PJ Laverty; D McCurry (1-4), 1f , M Donnelly (0-1), P McNiece.
Subs: C Cavanagh for McBride (Black Card 11), R McKenna for N McKenna (half-time), R O'Neill (0-2, 2f) for McNabb (half-time), C McAliskey for Lavery (53).
Referee: Joe McQuillan (Cavan).
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