Derry hurlers ease past Wicklow to make Christy Ring Cup final

Derry's Cormac O'Doherty celebrates his goal. Pic by Tom Heaney, nwpresspics

placeholder image — Derry's Cormac O'Doherty celebrates his goal. Pic by Tom Heaney, nwpresspics

Derry 2-30

Wicklow 1-13

Derry sealed their spot in this month’s Christy Ring Cup final with victory over Wicklow at a sun-drenched Celtic Park on Saturday afternoon.

The Oakleafers’ foundations were laid in the first half with 1-5 from the unerring Cormac O’Doherty putting them in a winning position, 1-13 to 0-7

The teams exchanged early scores before Derry pushed into a 0-5 to 0-1 lead with scores from Ruairí Ó Mianáin, Thomas Brady and Cormac O’Doherty.

There were goal chances at both ends with Cormac Doherty bagging the only goal of the first half.

Derry’s defence were commanding form against a Wicklow team who hit nine first half wind assisted wides.

Two Eamon Conway points had Derry ticking on early in the second half before Wicklow settled somewhat.

The damage was done with John Mullan, Richie Mullan and Shéa Cassidy adding points.

Substitute Aimon Duffing hit a second goal late on to secure their final spot against London in the decider in two weeks’ time.

Scorers

Derry: Cormac O’Doherty 1-13 (9f, 2 65), Eamon Conway 0-4, Ruairí Ó Mianáin 0-3, Aimon Duffin 1-0, John Mullan, Shéa Cassidy, Richie Mullan 0-2 each, Christy McNaughton, Thomas Brady, James Friel and Darragh Cartin 0-1 each

Wicklow: Padraig Boyle 1-5 (1-4f, 1 65), Padraig Doran 0-3f, Seanie Germaine 0-2, Ronan McMahon 0-1, Jack Phelan and Luke Evans 0-1 each

Derry: Sean Kelly; Sean Cassidy, Mark Craig, Patrick Turner; Ruairi Ó Mianáin, Richie Mullan, James Friel; Meehaul McGrath, Eamon Conway; Thomas Brady, John Mullan, Cormac O'Doherty; Cahal Murray Christy McNaughton, Shéa Cassidy

Subs: Deaghlan Foley for Brady (40), Callum O'Kane for McNaughton (55), Darragh Cartin for Shéa Cassidy (60), Aimon Duffin for McGrath (64), Sean F Quinn for R Mullan (66)

Wicklow: Conor McNally; Ben Kearney, Andrew Kavanagh, Ian Clancy; Tommy Collins, Padraig Doran, Sam O'Dowd; Luke Evans, John Toomey; Jack Phelan, Marc Lennon, Ronan McMahon; Eoin McCormack, Padraig Doyle, Seanie Germaine

Subs: Warren Kavanagh for Toomey (HT), Davey Maloney for McCormack (44), Dan Redmond for Lennon (50), Rian Watters for Clancy (54), James McGing for Germaine (63)

Referee: Matthew Farrell (Roscommon)