Derry in relegation trouble

NFL DIVISION 1:

Monaghan 1-16 Derry 0-12, Scotstown

Allianz NFL Division 1 regulars Derry are in deep relegation trouble after losing to Monaghan at Scotstown this afternoon.

Corner forward Conor McManus was in terrific shooting form, scoring 0-10 to guide Monaghan to their second victory in three games and hand the Oak Leafers their fourth straight defeat.

Tommy Freeman's 18th-minute goal, allied to McManus' sharpshooting, had the hosts 1-10 to 0-4 ahead at half-time.

Derry could find no way back but salvaged some pride with four late points, including efforts from James Kielt and Paddy Bradley.

Bradley had knocked over Derry's third point to give them a 0-3 to 0-2 lead in the 14th minute, but it was an uphill battle for Damien Cassidy's men after Eoin Bradley had briefly levelled at 0-04 apiece.

Monaghan took complete control as McManus fired over four points and Freeman cut in from the right and slipped a low shot past Derry goalkeeper Barry Gillis in the 18th minute.

McManus hit two more frees to move the Farney men 1-8 to 0-4 clear, while the usually accurate Paddy Bradley hit some poor wides at the other end.

Colin Walshe, who opened the scoring, Hugh McElroy and Paul Finlay supplemented McManus' haul as Monaghan coasted clear. Dermot Malone also deserves a mention for playing a superb through ball for Freeman's goal.

Paddy Bradley converted a free, early in the second half, to end a 24-minute scoreless spell for Cassidy's side.

Monaghan continued to force the issue though, with Malone, Darren Hughes and Neil McAdam playing their part in a dominant home display.

With McManus in double figures and the game over as a contest, it was inevitable that Derry might close the gap and they did so with a late run of scores. Second half substitutes James Kielt and Michael Bateson were on the mark and at least added some energy to Derry's flagging play.