Down 2-17
Derry 1-15

Down will face Donegal in a repeat of last year's Ulster final on June 23 after producing an excellent second half display to overcome Derry at Celtic Park.

Brian McIver's Allianz League Division 2 champions looked to be in complete control of this hugely entertaining Ulster SFC quarter-final when they led by five points early in the second half, but Down - who surrendered their Division 1 status in the spring - showed great character to come back and win by five.

Forwards Donal O'Hare, Mark Poland and Conor Laverty were outstanding as the Mourne County outscored the hosts by 2-8 to 0-5 in the second period to set up a date with the All-Ireland champions. Kevin McKernan and Kalum King also put in a huge shift at midfield as Derry faded out of the game after enjoying a 1-10 to 0-9 lead at the break.

Despite being double-marked by Brendan McArdle and Peter Turley, Eoin Bradley was immense for the Oak Leafers in the first half, setting up a 31st minute goal for centre back Mark Lynch. But the supply dried up for him and his attacking colleagues after the restart as Down hit back with goals from O'Hare and Poland to repeat their famous 1994 victory at the same venue.

That clash of 19 years ago is remembered as one of the greatest games of all-time, and this one wasn't half bad either with 32 of the 35 scores coming from play and from 15 different players.

While Down lined out as a selected, Derry were forced to make a change in their defence which saw Brian McCallion replace the injured Sean Leo McGoldrick.

The visitors warmed up at the nearby Brandywell and they hit the ground running with a point from Mark Poland after just 11 seconds. From the kick-out, they won possession again and Conor Laverty set up the returning Ambrose Rogers for their second point with less than a minute played.

Wing back Charlie Kielt opened Derry's account in the fourth minute after a patient build-up as Gerard O'Kane (Kerry) and Kalum King (Down) picked up early bookings for separate incidents. Donal O'Hare, who posted 2-34 in the Allianz League, restored the Mourne County's two-point lead before Eoin Bradley hit the post from a free which the raiding Charlie Kielt had won.

However, the Derry full forward made amends moments later after being set up by Enda Lynn. Down should have had a goal at the opposite end in the eighth minute, but had to settle for a point when Niall Madine palmed over following great work by Benny Coulter. Madine then saw a point attempt come back off the upright before Benny Herron left the minimum in it again, 0-3 to 0-4, from a '45' with 10 minutes played.

The frenetic pace continued as Kevin McKernan kicked a great point on the run. James Kielt's trusty left foot brought Derry back to within a point after Enda Lynn had made the opening before Lynn created the equalising point for Eoin Bradley in the 20th minute.

Donal O'Hare immediately restored Down's lead and it was back to a two-point game in the 24th minute when McKernan smacked over a glorious point off the outside of his right boot after Madine had retrieved what had seemed like a hopeless situation.

The rest of the half belonged to the hosts, however, who outscored James McCartan's men by 1-5 to 0-2 in a very impressive 10-minute spell. Eoin Bradley got the ball rolling when he fisted over via the inside of the post. James Kielt tied up the scoring at 0-7 apiece with his second point before the elusive Bradley gave Derry the lead for the first time after Peter Turley hadn't been alert to Brendan McVeigh's short kick-out.

Niall Madine had Down level in an instant, but the momentum remained with the home side as Eoin Bradley and James Kielt scored top-quality points in the 29th and 30th minutes. Bradley then got away from his two markers to play in centre back Mark Lynch, who coolly slipped the ball under McVeigh for the opening goal.

That gave Derry a five-point advantage and, after Down wing back Declan Rooney had narrowed the gap with a much-needed point in the 35th minute, they came close to scoring a second goal. Paddy Bradley once again got himself into a great position, but his shot - which was heading for the top right-hand corner - was brilliantly tipped away by Brendan McVeigh at the expense of a '45, which Benny Herron failed to convert.

Herron made amends by kicking the first point of the second half as Derry restored their five-point lead and threatened to take control of the game. But they were undermined by three wides in as many minutes, and two quick points from Madine (a delightful left-footed effort) and Mark Poland left just a goal in it.

In the 45th minute, Poland turned provider when he set up Donal O'Hare for a goal to level the scoring at 1-11 apiece. Derry were rattled, but a James Kielt free from the right (their first score in 11 minutes) edged them back in front. By now, O'Hare was beginning to take centre stage. He scored two points (the second from a free) in quick succession to bring his tally to 1-5 and give the visitors the lead for the first time since the 26th minute.

Derry were rocked for a second time when Ryan Scott gave possession away and Laverty found O'Hare, who sent the ball across the goalmouth for Poland to slide in and first-time it to the net. Down were now 2-14 to 1-13 in front and when Kalum King followed up with another score, the 10-point swing from the first minute of the second half was complete.

James Kielt replied for the home side before substitute Brian McCallion left a goal in it. O'Hare was desperately unlucky to see his rasping shot rebound from the butt of Eoin McNicholl's upright before Mark Lynch cut Down's lead to two, 1-15 to 2-14.

But the visitors finished with a flourish as two inspirational points from the flying Kevin McKernan were followed by another in stoppage time from substitute Jerome Johnston.

Derry: E McNicholl, G O'Kane, C McKaigue, R Scott, C Kielt (0-1), M Lynch (1-1), B McCallion (0-1), P Bradley, R Bell, A McAlynn, J Kielt (0-5, 1f), E Lynn (0-1), B Heron (0-2, 1 '45), E Bradley (0-4), C Delvin. Subs: D Mullan for Bell, E McGuckin for Devlin, D Brown for McCallion, B Gormley for P Bradley.

Down: B McVeigh, D McCartan, B McArdle, R Boyle, D Rooney (0-1), P Turley, K Quinn, K King (0-1), K McKernan (0-4), A Rogers (0-1), M Poland (1-2), N Madine (0-3), D O'Hare (1-4, 0-2f), B Coulter, C Laverty. Subs: D Savage for Rogers, R Mallon for Quinn, J Johnston (0-1) for Coulter.

Referee: D Coldrick (Meath). Tweet

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