Donaghy and Bradley points crucial in Derry win

Derry 1-18 Meath 3-08, Celtic Park, Allianz Football League

Late points from Martin Donaghy and Paddy Bradley steered Derry past a relegation-threatened Meath side at Celtic Park.

Goals from the ever-alert Joe Sheridan after 19 and 22 minutes helped the Royals take a 2-05 to 0-09 half-time lead, with Cian Ward on target from frees.

Sean Leo McGoldrick jinked through for a Derry goal and although Ward found the hosts’ net, the promotion-chasing Oak Leafers had eight players on the scoresheet by the finish.

Meath's over reliance on free-taker Cian Ward for scores - he finished with 1-05 - was in contrast to Derry's greater ability to pick up scores from play.

Ward was on target twice in the opening minutes during which Derry kicked three wides and looked to be struggling.

Graham Reilly struck Meath's first point in the fifth minute, but efforts from midfielder Michael Friel, Charlie Kielt and fit-again vice-captain Mark Lynch got Derry firing, adding to their opener from Conleith Gilligan.

However, some slack marking allowed big Joe Sheridan blast home two morale-boosting goals for the visitors, the second of which was a rocket of a shot. Ward added his third pointed free for a 2-04 to 0-05 scoreline.

Reilly tagged on another point, but Derry raised their game coming up to half-time. Gilligan and Bradley showed their accuracy from a variety of angles as Meath's lead was reduced to two points.

Derry seized the initiative at the start of the second half, cancelling out a Ward free with scores from Bradley (0-02), Sean Leo McGoldrick and Gerard O'Kane.

That concerted spell put them ahead at 0-13 to 2-06 and McGoldrick then cut through the Meath defence for a goal, shortly afterwards.

Shane O'Rourke (free) and a quick 1-01 from Ward, who netted after a defensive slip, saw Meath show signs of a revival, but Derry were not to be denied and three pointed frees from 2007 All-Star Bradley made certain of the home win.

Derry still have an outside chance of finishing in the top two. They are away to Antrim in next weekend's final round and need a big win there and for other results to go their way.

Meath, meanwhile, are second-from-bottom in the table and scrapping for their Division 2 lives alongside Antrim and Sligo. With two teams to be relegated, Seamus McEnaney's men face a must win game at home to Tyrone next Sunday.