One point proves the difference as Derry minors beat Down

A Conaill Campbell point proved the winning score as Derry hung on for victory on Saturday in the Ulster Championship.

It was Campbell’s third score that looked to have been the insurance score, as Derry went four points up.

A sweeping move was finished to the net by Down wing-back Frankie McHugh with the last action.

Lorcan Higgins fisted over the first score of the game before Down went ahead, 0-3 to 0-1.

Dylan McAleenan (2) and Dylan Kelly kicked the scores with much their play going through Jack O’Mahony.

The half turned on a 10th minute Derry goal. A kicked ball to Neil McDermott was recycled out of the corner. Gabriel Gormley played the ball and Cahir McDonnell blasted to the net.

Don Mulholland added a point with a second from Lorcan Higgins putting Derry a goal ahead.

At the other end O’Mahony played in Dara Ward but goalkeeper Doherty got a leg to put it around the post.

Down then began to close out Derry’s short option on kick-outs but Kieran Glackin’s side won three contested kick-outs on the trot to lead 1-5 to 0-5 at the break.

Mulholland, Tomás Devlin, Gabriel Gormley and Neil McDermott helped Derry go 1-9 to 0-8 ahead.

McAleenan clipped a two-point free to help Down were back in the game again. When Mulholland and Campbell tagged on points, Derry were four up.

It was a lead they needed with Down’s slick handpassing move leading to McHugh’s palmed goal in stoppage time.

Derry: M Doherty (0-1f); F McGilloway, C Sargent, D McEldowney; C Campbell (0-3), J Mullan, D McKaigue; G Gormley (0-1), D McKenna; D Collins, L Higgins (0-2), D Mulholland (0-3, 1f); C McDonnell (1-0), P McPeake, N McDermott (0-1). Subs:  T Devlin (0-1) for McPeake (40), D McEldowney for McDermott (53), J McCartney for McKaigue (57), T Scullion for McDonnell (64)

Down: B McGreevy; R McCaffrey, L Smith, R Keenan; F McHugh (1-1), E Crosbie, B Clarke; R Austin, T Conway; D Kelly (0-1), J O’Mahony, D Ward (0-1); C Gallagher (0-1), P Joyce, D McAleenan (0-6, 2f, 1tpf). Subs: S Murdock (0-1) for Gallagher (36), E Lavelle for Kelly (41), M Trainor for Crosbie (53), J O’Hagan for Keenan (58)

Referee: M Coyle (Tyrone)