Derry outlast Dublin on penalties in epic league final

Derry secured their first Allianz National Football League Division 1 title since 2008 as they edged Dublin on penalties in their thrilling decider at Croke Park on Sunday afternoon.

There was a huge level of anticipation in advance of the final and both teams more than delivered in a contest that will long in the memory.

Ultimately, it was Derry's ability to keep their nerve in the penalty shootout that made the difference as Shane McGuigan, Conor Glass and Ethan Doherty all confidently despatched their attempts while Con O’Callaghan, Loran O’Dell and Tom Lahiff were denied by a mixture of the crossbar and Odhran Lynch’s heroics.

Derry made the stronger start, backed as they were by the strong breeze blowing towards the Davin End, with Shane McGuigan adding a point from play to his earlier free as his side enjoyed a two-point advantage.

It didn’t take Dublin too long to find their collective stride as Lom Lahiff opened their scoring in the 5th minute before Con O’Callaghan restored parity through a 7th minute free.

However, their opponents enjoyed a period of mini-dominance as they kicked three points on the bounce as McGuigan converted his second free in the 10th minute with Ethan Doherty and Niall Loughlin also on target for Derry in the ensuing two minutes.

Dublin were in need of some inspiration at this stage and it duly arrived in the form of a typically classy Brian Howard point in the 15th minute before Dublin pounced for the game’s opening goal a minute later.

There appeared scant danger as a tame Killian McGinnis point attempt dropped short but Odhran Lynch didn’t cover himself in glory as his punched clearance fell into the path of Colm Basquel, who fired home from eight yards.

Sean Bugler and Lachlan Murray exchanged