DERRY’s good run in the Allianz League with a two point win over Cavan at Kingspan Breffni Park this afternoon (throw in 2.30 pm).
The Oakleafers ran out 1-16 to 2-11 to record their third win in a row in Division 3 North.
And in those opening three games Rory Gallagher’s players have scored a staggering six goals and 50 points.
Shane McGuigan’s eight points helped Derry edge out Cavan.
That brings his tally over the three games to two goals and 13 points.
Longford, regular Ulster-slayers in the qualifiers and something of a bogey-team for Derry over the past decade, were demolished 0-21 to 0-05 on the opening weekend.
Fermanagh had beaten the Ulster champions Cavan on the same weekend so they can’t be dismissed as inveterate no-hopers but they were annihilated 5-13 to 0-09 in Owenbeg last Sunday.
After today’s result, Derry and Fermanagh booked Division Three promotion play-offs.
The Breffni contest was a topsy turvy affair as two points apiece from McGuigan and Niall Loughlin helped the visitors lead 0-5 to 0-0 after nine minutes before Cavan replied with four straight points.
Gearoid McKiernan’s goal on 25 minutes put Cavan ahead as he rose above Derry keeper Odhran Lynch to flick a high ball to the net before he quickly added another free.
But the Oak Leafers were back on terms almost immediately as the excellent Loughlin blasted past Raymond Galligan after a mazy run.
After edging 1-7 to 1-6 ahead in first-half injury-time, Derry hit six unanswered points in the third quarter stunning long-range scores from McGuigan and energetic midfielder Emmett Bradley.
Once again, the match then turned as Cavan outscored Derry 1-4 to 0-1 in the 14 minutes after the water break.
Reilly’s palmed 66th-minute goal after a Padraig Faulkner long-range effort had come back off the woodwork before being played in again by Oisin Kiernan, helped Cavan cut the margin to only two.
But while a McKiernan free left the minimum between the sides a minute later, McGuigan’s seventh and eighth points closed out the match.
The Slaughtneil man’s final score was a sensational free from the right touchline as his sweet left-foot again delivered.
Over at Brewster Park Fermanagh drew with Longford which means Longford finish bottom of the Division North table and head to the relegation play-offs with Cavan.
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