Exiles fend off Derry charge

London booked their place in next weekend’s Christy Ring semi-final with a win over Derry on Saturday.

The Exiles led 3-10 to 0-6 at half-time but would only score two points in the closing 35 minutes. They led 1-4 to 0-1 after 19 minutes. Derry cut the gap to five points by the 32nd minute but London goals from Luke Hand (two) and Martin Finn secured a 12-point interval lead.

Paddy Henry and Alan Grant led the Derry resurgence and Henry netted Derry’s lone goal, but London held out for victory.

Scorers for Derry: P Henry 1-6 (4fs, 1 65), P McCloskey, A Grant, S Farren 0-2 each, O McCloskey, S McGuigan, P Kelly 0-1 each.

Scorers for London: M Finn 1-4 (2fs, 1 65), L Hand 2-0, J Egan 0-4, P Sloane, J Maher, S Egan 0-1 each.

DERRY: O O’Doherty; J McCloskey, L Hinphey, L Hawkins; R McCloskey, P Kelly, J Mulholland; C Gilmore, O McCloskey; S McGuigan, P McCloskey, P Henry; B Quigley, R Convery, A Grant.

Subs: S Farren for Convery (31), M Warnock for J McCloskey (ht), S McCullagh for Hawkins (ht), C McSorley for Mulholland (45), C Convery for McGuigan (65).

LONDON: T Williams: E Walsh, B Costello, G Fennelly; M Ryan, D Maher, L Mackey; C Quinn, PJ Rowe; P Sloane, J Egan, S Egan; J Maher, M Finn, L Hand.

Subs: M Walsh for E Walsh (52), H Vaughan for S Egan (59), K Walsh for P Sloane (64).

Referee: Garrett Duffy (Antrim).