Derry manager Rory Gallagher says his team’s focus is on Clare in a fortnight’s night after overcoming Dublin’s stern challenge yesterday evening at Celtic Park.

The Oak Leafers were forced to come from five points down before Brendan Rogers landed the winner deep in injury-time, securing the 1-11 to 0-13 victory that now leaves them a point away from promotion to Division 1 of the Allianz Football League.

Speaking after the match, Gallagher described his side’s first-half display that saw them trail 0-7 to 0-2 at the break as “standoffish”, but was delighted to see them moving up the gears after the turnaround and eventually earning the win.

“We were playing a better quality of opponent, who was really, really up for it, who had a very clear plan with the ball. We hadn't been in a battle like that and it was good to be in a battle like that. I think Dublin will be the better for it too,” he told RTE Sport.

On their status as red-hot favourites for promotion to the top tier, the Fermanagh native added: "We needed three points out of the last six points, now we need one, so we'll look forward to Clare in two weeks. We're not promoted yet."

'It was good to get a battle like that'
Rory Gallagher was unhappy with his 'standoffish' Derry team in the first half but delighted with the response
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— The Sunday Game (@TheSundayGame) March 4, 2023

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