‘Complete package’ Bradley destroys Dubs
Bradley hit just a point in an evenly contested first-half and then watched big brother Paddy substituted with concussion.
But he responded in whirlwind fashion with five points in a row during a second-half Derry scoring siege that sealed the title holders’ third win in four.
The Glenullin sharpshooter converted two sideline kicks in a row from the left wing, off the outside of his left boot.
To underline his class he then turned over two more frees before booming a huge score from play to consign Dublin to a relegation battle after three losses.
“You don’t know how good a footballer Eoin is – he’s the complete package,” said Cassidy.
“He was leading the Kerry full-back line a merry dance in our last game and then got yellow carded by the referee.
“The guy is just a class act.”
The result leaves Derry sitting pretty with six points from a possible eight and well placed to defend their title.
It was also the perfect riposte to the Round 3 defeat to Kerry.
“We didn’t hit the heights against Kerry so we worked hard on Thursday night in training and it paid off,” said game breaker Eoin Bradley.
“Maybe we are back in contention now. We’re on six points and we’re more or less safe – that’s what we wanted to do this year and now we can work towards the championship.”
The Oak Leafers are clearly in good shape right now with all their big guns firing and a near championship selection on show.
Midfielder Enda Muldoon kicked three points and while Alan Lynn was the only forward that didn’t score he made up for it with a brilliant playmaking display.
The only downside was Paddy Bradley’s half-time withdrawal having top scored with 0-4 in the first-half.
“Paddy got concussion after a knock in the head that no-one seemed to notice, as usual,” blasted Cassidy.
Following concussion Bradley must now be doubtful for next Sunday’s Round 5 clash with fellow high flyers Galway.
Dublin have far bigger problems though as they consider Sunday’s trip to Mayo that could make or break their battle against relegation.
The Sky Blues challenged well in the first-half but when Derry moved up a gear after the interval they were easily overtaken.
They were overrun in the middle third time after time and as a result either leaked scores, conceded frees or thanked goalkeeper Stephen Cluxton for some fine stops like his 43rd minute denial of Lynn who tried to lob him after a long dribble.
Dublin’s only positive was a late fight-back which yielded 1-2 in the closing seven minutes, polarised by a 66th minute Ger Brennan goal.
“The reality is that we have a lot of lads, strong players, out injured and they’re only coming back so they’re not fully fit yet,” said Dublin boss Pat Gilroy.
“Then there are the Kilmacud players (who are unavailable), so we’re trying things in this league.
“No panic buttons will be pressed in the league, no matter what happens.
“We’d be feeling the same if we had four wins. League football is league football. We’re concentrating on the summer and we’re just trying to get ourselves right for that.
“Derry were very good. They were the strongest team that we’ve played so far this year and they work very hard. They were clinical up front.
“Defensively we weren’t good but it was the same all over the pitch. We were giving away frees and we weren’t getting on the ball.
“We were much better at that against Donegal but Derry are a much stronger team that Donegal.”
Bernard Brogan top scored for Dublin with five points while big brother Alan Brogan and All Star midfielder Shane Ryan stepped up their recovery from injuries by coming on.
DERRY: J Deighan; K McGuckin, N McCusker, SM Lockhart; P Cartin, B McGoldrick (0-1), SL McGoldrick; F Doherty, E Muldoon (0-3; 2 45, 1f); E Lynn, P Murphy (0-3), B Mullan (0-1); Paddy Bradley (0-4; 3f), E Bradley (0-6; 2 s/l, 2f), B McGuigan (0-2).
Subs: Paul Bradley for Paddy Bradley 34, G O’Kane for Cartin ht, J Diver for Muldoon 46, Patsy Bradley for Doherty 54, E Brown for Murphy (yellow) 59, R Dillon for O’Kane 60.
DUBLIN: S Cluxton; A Hubbard, D Bastick, P Andrews; J Brogan, G Brennan (1-0), B Cahill; C Whelan, R McConnell; D Connolly (0-1), C Keaney (0-3), D Henry; B Kelly (0-2), K Bonner, B Brogan (0-5; 2f).
Subs: A Brogan (0-1) for Bonner 31, S Ryan for McConnell 43, B Cullen for Connolly 46, D Lally for J Brogan 50, P Conlon for Hubbard 60.
Referee: J Bannon (Longford).
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