David Devine provides the goods as Anthony Nash-coached London claim Christy Ring honours 

London players, including David Devine, 15, celebrate after their side's victory in the Christy Ring Cup final. Pic: Stephen Marken/Sportsfile

Christy Ring Cup final: London 1-27 Derry 1-24 

London won their first Christy Ring Cup title since 2012 with victory over Derry at Croke Park on Saturday evening.

It was Derry’s sixth final defeat in as many appearances and a third in succession for Johnny McGarvey’s side.

David Devine scored 1-12 for the Anthony Nash-coached winners, who had to repel a late Cormac O’Doherty free with Derry’s last chance.

When the 65 dropped short, referee Dunne sounded the final whistle to London’s relief.

London were the sharper team early on and led 0-4 to 0-1 with David Devine unerring from frees.

Thomas Brady, Richie Mullan and Cormac O’Doherty were on target for a Derry team chasing the game.

Cathal Murray levelled matters at 0-5 all after 10 before London found the net for the 26th time this season.

Seán Glynn made the run through the centre before the ball was worked to Devine to score at the far post.

Derry’s response was instant with a smashing Brady goal in the next attack after a pass from John Mullan.

London selector Anthony Nash. Pic: Stephen Marken/Sportsfile

O’Doherty kept Derry on touch and the side were level twice more before Devine and Dyland Dawson pushed London toward a 1-15 to 1-12 interval lead.

London held the aces for much of the second half but three Eamon Conway points helped Derry back into the game with Cormac O’Doherty putting them ahead in the 52nd minute.

London pushed on again with scores from Egan and Dawson to lead 1-25 to 1-20 with five minutes to play.

Richie Mullan, Ryan McGill and Ruairí Ó Mianáin replied with points for Derry, but the Ulster side were never able to get level.

Devine added two London frees before O’Doherty’s late, late free was stopped with Derry’s last throw of the dice.

Scorers for Derry: C O’Doherty 0-9 (8f), E Conway 0-4, T Brady 1-1, C McNaughton 0-3, R Mullan, R Ó Mianáin 0-2 each, C Murray 0-1, Shéa Cassidy 0-1 and R McGill 0-1 each.

Scorers for London: D Devine 1-12 (9f), E Egan 0-4 (3f), D Dawson 0-3, C O’Carroll, S Glynn 0-2 each, T Millerick, P Kennedy, J Morrissey and C McCormack 0-1 each.

Derry: S Kelly; Sean Cassidy, M Craig, P Turner; R Ó Mianáin, R Mullan, J Friel; M McGrath, E Conway; T Brady, J Mullan, C O’Doherty; C Murray, C McNaughton, Shea Cassidy.

Subs: D Foley for Shéa Cassidy (48), P Kelly for Friel (56), R McGill for Brady (56), G Bradley for McGrath (61), C O’Kane for R Mullan (67).

London: M Kilgannon; N Fitzgerald, C Byrne, S Whelan; T Millerick, E Egan, P Muldoon; A Cunney, P Kennedy; J Morrisey, S Glynn, D Dawson; C McCormack, C O’Carroll, D Devine.

Subs: N Geoghegan for Fitzgerald (35+2), R Judge for Kennedy (44), O Sheil for McCormack (56), T Hanifin for Cunney (69), D Leahy for Dawson (73).

Referee: P Dunne (Laois).