Derry edge Tyrone to end 13-game winless run while Kildare's goals slump Offaly to second loss

January 31, 2026

Tyrone's Conor O'Neill with Derry's Conor Glass and Padraig McGrogan ©INPHO/Lorcan Doherty

Derry bounced back from their opening round loss to Meath last weekend by recording a 1-15 to 1-12 win over Tyrone this evening to get on the board in Division 2 of the Allianz Football League.

Padraig McGrogan produced a superb late block to deny Tyrone what would've been a share of the derby spoils at Celtic Park where the hosts were able to hold out for a three-point win.

Having gotten out to an early two-point lead, Derry fell behind by the 23rd minute thanks to Conor O’Neill’s two-pointer which would be backed up by a Darragh Canavan point.

Brendan Rodgers trimmed their difference back to one ahead of Conor Glass hitting the Red Hands’ net, but the visitors would respond in kind as Ciaran Daly raised the umpire’s green flag to leave Malachy O'Rourke's men ahead by 1-8 to 1-7 at the interval.

Shane McGuigan (free) tied things up five minutes into the restart and, despite a Michael McKernan two-pointer at the other end, Ciaran Meenagh’s charges were able to get motoring as a couple more McGuigan frees were followed up with a Conor Doherty point and a Rodgers effort from beyond the arc.

Tyrone did get level again on 57 minutes through Ethan Jordan’s free, but points at the other end from McGuigan (2, 1 free) and Conor McAteer got the hosts back up by three and McGrogan's block towards the finish ensured the sweet and long-awaited victory was sealed for the Oak Leafers.

In Newbridge, Kildare made their goals count in a 3-17 to 0-17 victory against neighbours Offaly to move to the top of Division 2 ahead of tomorrow’s games.

Alex Beirne and Eoin Cully netted first-half goals for Brian Flanagan’s men as they led by 2-9 to 0-6 at the interval, with Offaly trimming their deficit down to four points by the midway stage of the second-half with the help of scores from Nathan Poland and Keith O’Neill.

Brian Loughlin pulled back a couple of points for the Lilywhites in response and a Sam Doran goal killed off the Faithful men’s charge as they were dealt their second defeat of the campaign.


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