Dominant Derry promoted after comfortable victory over Clare at Owenbeg!

Derry 0-14

Clare 0-4

Derry have been promoted back to Division One for the first time since 2015 after a dominant display over Clare at Owenbeg this afternoon.

Rory Gallagher’s team went into the game knowing that even a draw would be enough after five successive wins, but they were determined to achieve the long-awaited goal on a high and they smashed through their opponents, with the game over as a contest by half time with the Oakleafers 0-9, 0-0 up.

Derry wasted no time in front of a packed Owenbeg and Niall Toner got them off to a fast start with the opening point in the opening minute of the game with a tidy score from the left-hand side.

Shane McGuigan doubled the lead on nine minutes with a long-range score and that was quickly followed by another score from Conor Glass, who found the target from 45 yards.

Ethan Doherty hit a double and McGuigan hit a second, while Paul Cassidy also scored to take Derry 0-7, 0-0 clear, using the first-half breeze to their advantage.

There was little that Clare could do as Derry continued to find the target from distance, Conor Doherty and McGuigan again making it a nine-point difference to leave a sizeable gap between the teams at the break.

There was no let-up after half time either with Gareth McKinless and a free from McGuigan making it 0-11, 0-0 and at this stage it was clear that there was no way back for Clare.

The visitors finally got their first point on 49 minutes while Benny Herron added another for Derry. Clare did manage some respectability in the closing stages with three further scores, but Derry had taken the foot off the gas at this stage, knowing the job was done, with Ethan Doherty and the impressive McGuigan adding the final scores on what was a very comfortable day at Owenbeg for everyone in red and white.