Derry find scoring groove again against Clare

Derry remain on course for promotion to Allianz Football League Division 1 after the Oak Leafers maintained their perfect 100% record with a nine-point victory over Clare in Cusack Park, Ennis.

The introduction of Gareth McKinless late in the opening half proved the turning point as the Ballinderry player set up Benny Heron's opening goal before helping himself to the second as Rory Gallagher eased away from their hosts with some comfort following a tight first half.

The victory means Derry remain the side to catch and sit top of the table on eight points, one point above Roscommon and two above Galway, though the Tribesmen do have a game in hand and Derry have yet to play both

Gallagher was able to name the same XV that started in last week's victory over Cork and it was a positive start from the Oak Leafers as early points from Paul Cassidy and Oisin McWilliams gave them a two point lead by the second minute.

Derry were struggling to get Shane McGuigan in the game but the Slaughtneil man was being well marshalled by Cillian Brennan but it was a mark of the Oak Leafer's evolution that their 0-06 to 0-05 half-time lead came courtesy of six different scorers. Indeed by full-time 11 different players had registered scores for Derry

Clare employed the dangerous Sexton, who finished with 0-05, and James Malone inside but Derry's biggest problem came through their own mistakes against a fast-breaking Clare counter for whom Aaron Griffin was always a threat.

Those opening two scores were answered by Clare's Griffins who grabbed the home side opener on four minutes but Padraig McGrogan restored Derry's two points advantage inside two minutes.

A Sexton free cut the lead once more before McGuigan answered in kind and Lachlan Murray