National Football League Round five

Galway 3.09 Derry 0.13
 

The Tribesman started the brightest.  Joe Bergin forcing a fine save from John Deighan inside the first minute.  Clancy opened the scoring a minute later before Fiachra Breathnach doubled their advantage after seven. 

Enda Muldoon replied for Derry with a fine score, before Mark Lynch levelled matters with a beautiful long-range effort.  Lynch then had his powerful goal bound shot deflected over the bar by the retreating Damien Burke. It would be the only time that Derry would lead in the match.

After 16 minutes Padraig Joyce played in Breathnach who was hauled down in the box, although it could be argued the forward went down quite easily under the challenge. Michael Meehan made no mistake from the spot. The goal lifted Galway. 

Soon afterwards wing back Gary Spice collected a high ball and soloed 60 yards with the ball before earning his side a free.  It seemed to inspire the rest of the side.  Meehan knocked over the resulting free and Galway were cruising.

Conleith Gilligan, one of Derrys better performers on the day, pulled a point back before Niall Coleman restored Galways three point lead.  Eoin Bradley gave the Oak leaf County some hope with a fine point, however it would be Galway who would finish the half the stronger. 

Meehan played in Matthew Clancy with a fine pass but the corner forwards shot was tipped over the bar by Deighan.  The goalkeeper then came to his teams rescue once again when Sice had his effort blocked down.  Galway lead at the break by a score of 1-5 to 0-5.

Derry needed to start the second half brightly but again Galway came out of the dressing rooms more fired up.  Meehan should have extended Galways lead when, off balance, his shot trickled just wide of the post. 

Paddy Bradley, who up to now had seen little of the ball, was brought out to the half forward line in an effort to become more involved in the game.  Unfortunately for Derry the switch would have little impact. 

Eoin Bradley and Meehan swapped points, before Joyce showed just why he is regarded as being one of the countrys best finishers.  The chance seemed to have been lost, but Joyce swivelled, beat his marker, and unleashing an unstoppable shot past Deighan. After ten minutes of the second half it was Galway 2-6 Derry 0-6.

Conway and Gilligan scored two points apiece for Tyrone, either side of a Joe Bergin point.  It was only a mini-revival.  The tie was effectively over on 63 minutes following the move of the match.  Sean Armstrong, who had replaced Breathnach at the end of the first half, found Nicky Joyce.  Joyces quick hand pass inside released Michael Clancy. 

The wing forward coolly slotted the ball past Deighan.  Two minutes later Meehans placed ball sailed over the bar.  Derry responded with late points from Eunan OKane and Muldoon, but they were little more than consolation scores.
 

While Galway enjoyed fine performances from Padraig Joyce, Michael Meehan and Matthew Clancy, Derry talisman Paddy Bradley had a forgettable afternoon.

The Galway team was

A Faherty, K Fitzgerald (Capt), F Hanley, D Burke, G Sice, N Coyne, D Mullahy, N Coleman, B Cullinane, J Bergin, P Joyce, D Meehan, M Clancy, M Meehan, F Breathnach. Subs D Dunleavy, C Bane, S Armstrong, N Joyce,
 

Padraig Joyce moves in to put pressure on his Derry opponent

Michael Meehan slams home a Penalty for Galway's opening goal