Ciarán Whelan: Defensive Derry seemed to throw in the towel

Cormac Costello's goal for Dublin against Derry ended the game as a competitive contest with the hosts’ challenge fizzling out, according to Ciarán Whelan.

The All-Ireland champions made it three wins on the spin against a Derry side that were always chasing the game, with Conor McCluskey’s first-half goal keeping them within striking distance at the interval.

There were just two points between the sides when Cormac Costello made an immediate impact on his introduction to score his side’s only goal, and from there on in the All-Ireland champions bossed their way to victory.

The eagerly anticipated Conor Glass v Brian Fenton match-up never materialised, with the influential Glen man not in the match-day panel.

Goalkeeper Odhran Lynch was also absent, while manager Mickey Harte held Paul Cassidy, Eoin McEvoy and Ethan Doherty in reserve.

Speaking after the game at Celtic Park, former Dublin midfielder Whelan said the game lacked all intensity after Costello found the back of the net.

"Once that goal went in, the game really fizzled out," he said.

GOAL – Derry 1-07 Dublin 1-12

49.50 Cormac Costello is introduced
50.52 Cormac Costello raises Dublin's first green flag of the game