Benny Heron helped Derry keep in touch with Down at Parc Esler
IT is all to play for the in the second half as Derry are within one point of Down.
Down hit the ground running in the second round of the Dr McKenna Cup against Derry (throw in 2 pm).
But after a shaky start, Derry came back strong on a wet afternoon in Co Down.
Straight from the off Down’s Barry O’Hagan opened the scoring with a point and he hit a second score after just two minutes of play at Parc Esler.
The Mountain of Mourne men went three points up with no reply from Derry after an Alan Davidson score.
But then on 6 minutes The Oak Leafers got their first point with a 13 metre free from Benny Heron.
Two minutes later O’Hagan got a hat trick of points before Davidson hit two more points before Ryan Bell hits a point and Down lead 0-06 to 0-02 after 12 minutes.
On 15 minutes, there was great link up play between Bell and Forester which set up Loughlin for his 2nd score.
Four minutes later, Derry were starting to get more possession and McGuckin won a free and Heron slotted over to cut Down’s lead to two points.
On 20 minutes, Derry win the Down kick out and Ryan Bell, with a trademark long range effort, cuts the gap to just one point.
A minute later Conor Nevin is yellow carded and Alan Davidson slotted over the free. Down lead again by two points.
On 25 minutes, Derry showed good attacking play and proved fruitful as they won a free and Heron make no mistake. Derry closed the gap to one point.
But on 30 minutes Alan Davidson converts another free for Down and extend their lead to two points.
Davidson kicked his six free of the game before Benny Heron responds as half time approaches. Down 0-09 v Derry 0-07.
And in the first minute of the two of added time, Emmet McGuckian scored a cracking point for Derry to close the gap to one point.
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