Gary Ferry, 19 Mar
Derry 0-14
Clare 0-4
Derry have been promoted back to Division One for the first time since
2015 after a dominant display over Clare at Owenbeg this afternoon.
Rory Gallagher’s team went into the game knowing that even a draw would
be enough after five successive wins, but they were determined to
achieve the long-awaited goal on a high and they smashed through their
opponents, with the game over as a contest by half time with the
Oakleafers 0-9, 0-0 up.
Derry wasted no time in front of a packed Owenbeg and Niall Toner got
them off to a fast start with the opening point in the opening minute
of the game with a tidy score from the left-hand side.
Shane McGuigan doubled the lead on nine minutes with a long-range score
and that was quickly followed by another score from Conor Glass, who
found the target from 45 yards.
Ethan Doherty hit a double and McGuigan hit a second, while Paul
Cassidy also scored to take Derry 0-7, 0-0 clear, using the first-half
breeze to their advantage.
There was little that Clare could do as Derry continued to find the
target from distance, Conor Doherty and McGuigan again making it a
nine-point difference to leave a sizeable gap between the teams at the
break.
There was no let-up after half time either with Gareth McKinless and a
free from McGuigan making it 0-11, 0-0 and at this stage it was clear
that there was no way back for Clare.
The visitors finally got their first point on 49 minutes while Benny
Herron added another for Derry. Clare did manage some respectability in
the closing stages with three further scores, but Derry had taken the
foot off the gas at this stage, knowing the job was done, with Ethan
Doherty and the impressive McGuigan adding the final scores on what was
a very comfortable day at Owenbeg for everyone in red and white.