Cailean O’Boyle: Derry’s goal scorer.
Derry 1-10 Dublin 3-19
Derry had no answer to the class of All-Ireland champions Dublin in today’s National Football League Division One final at Croke Park, losing by 15 points on a scoreline of 1-10 to 2-19.
Seeking back to back league title wins, Dublin had the game wrapped up at half-time when they led by seven points on a scoreline of 0-13 to 1-03.
Indeed, in was in the first 35 that the Dubs did all the damage when, trailing early on by two points, they took control of the game to kill off the Derry challenge early on.
Brian McIver’s side were completely outplayed in the first 35 and offered very little in attack as Dublin sought revenge for last month’s league defeat in Celtic Park.
Indeed, so dominant were the All-Ireland champions that Derry registered only four scores in the first period.
Bernard Brogan put over simple free to give Dublin an early lead.
Cailean O’Boyle put Derry ahead shortly afterwards when he fisted to the back of the net after being set up by Emmett McGuckin.
However, the reversal seemed to inspire the All-Ireland champions as they went on to score seven unanswered points to open up a six point lead on a scoreline of 0-09 to 1-00 after 20 minutes play.
Derry’s points – from McGuckin, Bradley and O’Kane – all came late in the half.
Indeed, Derry were lucky not to further behind at the break as McCarthy watched agonisingly as his fisted effort came back off a post and Dermot McBride blocked a goal bound shot from Brogan.
Derry started the second period brightly and hinted they were up for the challenge when O’Kane and Lynch put over unanswered points.
However, hopes of a Derry comeback were quickly dashed as Dublin soon picked up where they left off at the end of the first half to go on make history and become the first Dublin team to win back-to-back National League titles.
At the end, the referee also felt sorry for a demoralised Derry as he flew the final whistle four seconds over the allocated 70 minutes.
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