Derry have squandered a four point lead to draw with London at half time in their National Hurling League Division 2A clash at Celtic Park.
Ruairi Convery.
Ruairi Convery’s return to the starting line-up seemed to be paying dividends as the Derry captain scored three points to put his side four points ahead.
But the Londoners came storming back with four unanswered points to go into the break level on a scoreline of 0-05 to 0-05.
Indeed, the visitors could consider themselves unlucky not to be in front after settling for a point instead of a goal from a penalty as the half-time whistle approached.
However, London will have to play the entire second period with 14 men after the dismissal of Stephen Frawley shortly before the half-time whistle.
Oisin McCloskey opened the scoring for Derry with a point as early as the second mintage.
Two points from Convery, one from a free, put the home side three clear in the eighth minute.
A Stephen Lambert free opened London’s account in the 13th minute.
Convery again put over the bar five minutes later but the score was ruled out for a free in favour of Derry, which the captain duly converted to restore the lead to three points.
Brendan Rogers extended the lead with a fine point in the 22nd minute.
London then took command with scores from Darren Moore, Martin Duggan and Stephen Lambert reducing the deficit to a single point by the 31st minute.
London had a golden opportunity to go into the lead but John Grealish put his penalty effort over the bar a minute from the half-time break.
As the half-time whistle approached, London’s Stephen Frawley was shown a red card for striking out at Convery.
The game is part of a double header at Celtic Park and will be followed by Derry senior footballers National Football League Division One clash with Westmeath at 2.30pm.
Tags: