Derry survive spirited Down comeback

Down 2-9 Derry 3-8

Derry held off a late Down rally in Newry this afternoon to progress to the third round of the All-Ireland SFC qualifiers.

Down, missing skipper Liam Doyle due to a hamstring injury, mounted a sterling second half comeback, founded on Benny Coulter's 42nd-minute goal.

Ronan Sexton added a second goal for the Mourne men with five minutes remaining, reducing the gap down to a single point.

But Mickey Moran's Oak Leafers held on to set up a third round date with Limerick.

Derry were 2-4 to 0-5 in front at the interval in Newry - Enda Muldoon tucked an early goal under the body of Down 'keeper Michael McVeigh, while points from Johnny McBride, Muldoon and Paddy Bradley saw visitors forage clear.

A brace from Daniel Hughes kept Down interested, but Paddy Bradley was on hand to net Derry's second goal on 23 minutes from a long Mark Lynch centre.

Bradley's brother Eoin then struck a stunning left-footed, individual goal.

Coulter struck back with a goal of his own and added to points from Ambrose Rodgers, John Clarke and Coulter again (free), Sexton's goal set up a dramatic finish.

Skipper Bradley, who had hit 1-4 for Derry, could do little as Down pushed on for the equaliser - Coulter mustered two wides.

Lynch hit what eventually proved the winner but there was late drama as Down sub John Clarke had a late goal chance parried by goalkeeper Barry Gillis.

Down manager Paddy O'Rourke was left thinking what might have been.

"We conceded a couple of bad goals," admitted former inter-county defender O'Rourke.

"It would have been easy to pack our bags and go home, but we fought right to the last, and only for a save by their goalkeeper right at the end, we would have been leaving here very, very happy."