Derry throw away eight-point led to lose against Donegal

Donegal 1-22

Derry 1-19 

Derry’s search for a first win continues after being reeled back in from eight points ahead on Sunday in Ballyshannon.

It was a 64th minute goal from Shane O’Donnell that made the difference, cutting the gap to two points.

Donegal had total dominance of the Derry kick-out at that point with Ciarán Thompson landing a two pointer before Conor O’Donnell levelled matters with three minutes to go.

Ciarán Moore, Conor O’Donnell and Dáire Ó Baoill all tagged on scores as Donegal ran out winners.

A huge factor was the loss of Eoin McEvoy and Brendan Rogers with injury, leaving Derry facing into an upward curve to stay in the top flight.

After a week off, the Oakleafers welcome Mayo ahead of a final game against All-Ireland champions Armagh.

A two-point free from Shane McGuigan kicked Derry into a 0-11 to 0-7 interval lead before they faced into the win for the second half.

A goal from Conor Glass put them into a five-point lead with Lachlan Murray and McGuigan pushing them 1-18 to 0-13 with 15 minutes to play.

Michael Murphy made two goal chances for Jamie Brennan, the second of which was brilliantly saved by Odhrán Lynch.

Conor O’Donnell pulled one wide on a day it looked to be slipping away from the home team.

That’s why Shane O’Donnell’s goal was so important. After playing and take a return pass from Murphy, he cracked to the back of the net to turn the game.

Scorers

Donegal: Ciarán Thompson 0-6 (tp, tpf) Dáire Ó Baoill 0-4 (tp), Shane O’Donnell 1-1, Oisín Gallen (tp), Conor O’Donnell 0-3 each, Michael Murphy (f), Ryan McHugh, Ciarán Moore, Hugh McFadden and Shane O’Donnell 0-1 each

Derry: Shane McGuigan 0-6 (1 tpf, 4f), Lachlan Murray 0-5 (1 tp), Conor Glass 1-1, Paul Cassidy 0-2, Niall Loughlin, Eoin McEvoy, Niall Loughlin, Conor Doherty and Ethan Doherty 0-1 each

Donegal: Shaun Patton; Mark Curran, Brendan McCole, Eoghan Bán Gallagher; Ryan McHugh, Caolan McGonagle, Ciarán Moore; Hugh McFadden, Ciarán Thompson; Shane O'Donnell, Niall O'Donnell, Dáire Ó Baoill; Conor O'Donnell, Oisín Gallen, Jamie Brennan

Subs: Michael Murphy for N O’Donnell (HT), Odhrán McFadden Ferry for Curran (HT), Caolan McColgan for Brennan (50), Eoin McHugh for H McFadden (59), Odhrán Doherty for R McHugh (59)

Yellow card: M Curran (35)

Derry: Odhrán Lynch; Diarmuid Baker, Eoin McEvoy, Martin Bradley; Conor Doherty, Brendan Rogers, Paudi McGrogan; Conor Glass, Anton Tohill; Dan Higgins, Paul Cassidy, Ethan Doherty; Niall Loughlin, Shane McGuigan, Lachlan Murray

Subs: Mark Doherty for McEvoy (INJ 50), Cahir McMonagle for Loughlin (52), Declan Cassidy for Rogers (INJ 57), Patrick McGurk for McGrogan (66)

Yellow card: B Rogers (40)

Attendance: 6, 830

Referee: Jerome Henry (Mayo)