Derry down Dubs in penalty shoot-out for first Division 1 title in 16 years
March 31, 2024
Derry's Eoin McEvoy celebrates scoring a goal with Conor Glass ©INPHO/James Crombie
Derry came through an epic battle with Dublin at Croke Park this afternoon to claim their first Allianz Football League Division 1 title since 2008.
After 90 minutes couldn’t separate the sides, the decider went to penalties at HQ and it was the Ulster champions that held their nerve to convert three spot kicks to Dublin's one to take home the trophy.
Mickey Harte’s side had settled in better in the early stages of the game but it was a goal from Colm Basquel that surged the Dubs in front midway through the first-half.
Derry responded well to the concession and had it level at the break (0-10 to 1-7) before making a statement after the turnaround with goals from Shane McGuigan (penalty) and young Eoin McEvoy.
Points from Tom Lahiff, Ross McGarry and Con O’Callaghan (free) had the All-Ireland champions back within one but the game looked to be gone for them when they slipped behind by four again.
Scores from Sean McMahon and McGarry kept the heat on the Oak Leafers and fourth minute free via O’Callaghan forced extra time where another McEvoy goal looked to do the trick for Harte’s charges.
Trailing by three in the dying stages, when both Brian Fenton and Paddy Small picked up red cards for the Dubs, Greg McEneaney punched in a late goal that saved a penalty shoot-out for the Dubs.
Goalkeeper Odhran Lynch would prove the hero for Derry for whom Shane McGuigan, Conor Glass and Ethan Doherty all converted as they clinched the title with a 3-1 win.
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— The GAA (@officialgaa) March 31, 2024
What a way to crown the Division 1 Winners of the Allianz Football Leagues. @Doiregaa are this years Champions.#GAANOW pic.twitter.com/vXlTlxp5hn
