Derry finish with a flourish to see off Down

Niall Loughlin kicked the hosts into the lead for the first time in the 58th minute.

CIRCLE OF TRUST: Derry manager Mickey Harte speaks to his team before the Bank of Ireland Dr McKenna Cup Group B match. Picture: Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile

Derry 0-13 Down 0-10 

Derry stormed back from three points down to secure a second win of the season on Saturday night in Celtic Park.

With more urgency and intent, the home side pulled themselves back into the game with Niall Loughlin kicking Derry into the lead for the first time in the 58th minute.

It was Down who were out the blocks at the start with a fine James Guinness point from the wing and Conor Laverty’s side used the ball well for much of the opening half.

It was Diarmuid Baker who came up to level matters after eight minutes before Down too over.

Odhran Murdock was coming out on top of his battle with Brendan Rogers. Down translated it into points from Pat Havern (mark and free) and a free from Kerr.

With 20 minutes gone, Derry breathed a sigh of relief. When Murdock took a mark at midfield from O’Hare’s kick-out, he landed a ball into the Derry defence. With Oaks’ goalkeeper Scullion out of position, the goal was on with Ceilum Doherty in the penalty area but after not taking the ball clean had to settle for a point.

Daniel Guinness and Murdock curled over points to cement Down’s commanding position.

Derry did find a way into the game with two Paul Cassidy points and McGuigan slotting over two frees to keep the home side in touch at the break, 0-8 to 0-5.

Shane McGuigan narrowed the gap to two points before the turning point. Liam Kerr fluffed a close range free and when Derry broke upfield, Chrissy McKaigue curled over.

A point from the lively Declan Cassidy levelled matters before Loughlin put Derry in front.

Niall Loughlin, Gareth McKinless and Conor Doherty kicked three late scores to seal victory.

Down scorers: P Havern 0-3 (1m, 1f), L Kerr (f), O Murdock, J Guinness, A Gilmore (f), J Flynn, D Guinness, C Doherty 0-1 each 

Derry scorers: S McGuigan 0-3f, N Loughlin (1f), C Doherty, P Cassidy 0-2 each, C McKaigue, D Cassidy, G McKinless and D Baker 0-1 each Derry: R Scullion; D Baker, E McEvoy, C McKaigue; C Doherty, G McKinless, P McGrogan; D Gilmore, B Rogers; R Forbes, D Cassidy, P Cassidy; Niall Toner, S McGuigan, N Loughlin Subs: B McCarron for N Toner (50), M Doherty for R Forbes (66), P McGurk for G McKinless (79) Yellow cards: P McGrogan (42), G McKinless (52) 

Down: J O'Hare; P Fegan, R McEvoy, P McCarthy; M Rooney, C Doherty, P Laverty; O Murdock, J Flynn; J Guinness, D Guinness, L Kerr; G McKibben, P Havern, O Savage Subs: F McElroy for M Rooney (INJ 35+2), C McCrickard for J Guinness (43), Andrew Gilmore for O Savage (50), R Magill for R McEvoy (53), P Quinn for G McKibben (63) Black card: D Guinness (56) Yellow card: J Guinness (42) 

Referee: E McFeely (Donegal)