Royals edge Derry in Football League opener

FULL-TIME: Meath 0-19 v 1-13 Derry

Football League Division 2 | Croke Park | Saturday, January 24

Derry’s Football League Division 2 campaign began with a defeat at Croke Park as Meath emerged with a three-point victory in difficult, wet conditions.

Played amid persistent rain and a swirling breeze, the opening round fixture, which was moved to Dublin due to refurbishment work at Páirc Tailteann, proved a challenging test for both sides. Derry started brightly but were unable to maintain that early momentum as Meath grew into the contest and finished the stronger.

Shea McGuckin was a late inclusion in goal for Derry replacing Ryan Scullion for his league debut. Ruairi Forbes, Conor McAteer, Sean Kearney and Sean Young also made their league debuts during the contest.

The Oak Leafers settled quickly despite playing into the breeze towards Hill 16 in the opening half. Derry dominated the first quarter, creating a series of chances and racing into a 1-5 to 0-3 lead.

Early scores from Shane McGuigan, Ethan Doherty, Paul Cassidy and Gareth McKinless reflected Derry’s control. The game’s only Derry goal arrived fortuitously but deservedly, as Cassidy’s attempt for a point dropped short and bounced into the net off the Meath goalkeeper’s chest.

Leading 1-3 to 0-1 after 17 minutes and by five points with ten minutes remaining in the half, Derry appeared well placed. However, Meath began to turn the tide late in the half, finding scores more readily and adjusting better to the conditions.

Three two-pointers proved crucial as the Royals hit eight unanswered points in total, swinging the game firmly in their favour. By half-time, Meath had moved ahead 0-11 to 1-5, despite Derry having enjoyed the better of the opening exchanges.

Meath carried that momentum into the second half. Jordan Morris struck an early two-pointer and a converted 45 from midfielder Jack Flynn, who finished with an influential 0-7, stretched the lead further, leaving Meath six points clear at 0-14 to 1-5.

Derry responded positively, refusing to let the contest slip away. McGuigan and Cassidy both landed two-pointers to close the gap, while substitute Matthew Downey added a point as Derry twice reduced the deficit to a single point in the final quarter.

But Meath had the answers. With conditions worsening and legs tiring, they closed the game out efficiently, adding late points to keep Derry at arm’s length and see out a three-point win.

For the Oak Leafers, attention now turns to next Saturday’s home clash with Tyrone at Celtic Park.

Derry: Shea McGuckin; Diarmuid Baker, Conor Doherty, Ruairí Forbes; Padraig McGrogan, Gareth McKinless (0-01), Conor McCluskey; Conor Glass, Brendan Rogers; Ethan Doherty (0-01), Shane McGuigan (0-07, 1 tpf, 0-01f), Niall Loughlin; Paul Cassidy (1-03, 1 tp), Niall Toner, Conor McAteer.

Subs: Matthew Downey (0-01) for McAteer (43), Shea Downey for Toner (54), Patrick McGurk for Loughlin (61), Sean Kearney for Baker (65), Sean Young for Cassidy (70).