Derry hit well-timed goals against Westmeath to avoid early championship exit

June 15, 2024

Derry's Ethan Doherty comes up against David Lynch and Senan Baker of Westmeath ©INPHO/Bryan Keane

Derry are into Monday morning’s All-Ireland SFC preliminary quarter-final draw after a hard-earned 2-7 to 0-9 win over Westmeath in Newry this evening.

It was Emmett Bradley’s goal with five minutes left in normal time that bagged the two crucial points which keeps the Oak Leafers’ championship hopes alive.

Having lost their last three championship outings, Mickey Harte’s men looked to try and reignite things here early on but instead were neck and neck with their Leinster counterparts for the majority of the first-half.

Ray Connellan’s point had nudged Westmeath ahead by 0-5 to 0-4 in the 32nd minute before a Conor McCluskey goal a minute later gave the Division 1 champions back the lead, and Eunan Mulholland’s point would leave a goal in it when the teams went in at half-time.

James Dolan sailed over the first score of the second period for the Lake men and, while Derry hit back with points from Shane McGuigan and Conor Glass, Dessie Dolan’s charges kept the heat on.

Robbie Forde’s point would be followed by a brace from substitute Jack Smith that had the scoreboard reading 1-7 to 0-9 with 10 minutes remaining.

Derry’s nerves would be settled by Bradley’s coolly taken goal five minutes though, as they held out for the four-point win that keeps their season afloat while showing Westmeath the exit door in the process.


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