Derry swan past under-strength Down in Owenbeg

Derry won the battle of Ulster at Owenbeg and in doing so enjoyed the perfect start to life in Division Two with a seven point win over Down. Niall Loughlin's goal mid-way through the first half provided the centrepiece for victory with as many as nine players all producing scores for the winners.

Andrew Gilmore, with three points, top scored for a Down side who struggled to find any real rhythm throughout the seventy minutes.

And we’re back. Contrasting Dr McKenna Cup campaigns allowed both Rory Gallagher and the returning James McCartan to at least blood a number of promising youngsters. Despite U20 graduates Odhran Murdock and Andrew Gilmore both catching the eye, shorn of any blue chip Kilcoo players, Down stumbled to defeat against Antrim and Donegal.

Derry, for their part, unearthed a couple of potential gems in teenagers Lachlan Murray and Matthew Downey in those early season run outs.

But the serious stuff started tonight. And in a division expected to be tightly contested, a winning start seemed essential.

The Mournemen were almost unrecognisable from the team that defeated Derry when last they crossed swords almost two years ago to the day, with league debuts awarded to Finn McElroy, Ruairi McCormack, Odhran Murdock and Andrew Gilmore.

An injury time Matthew Downey free stretched Derry’s half-time lead to 1-06 to 0-04, with the scoreboard adequately reflecting the Oakleaf dominance.

A beginning that offered hard graft over crowd pleasing artistry saw little to separate the sides – both amassing 0-02 apiece in the opening quarter. Shane McGuigan and Paul Cassidy’s scores equalled by those of Ruairi McCormack and Darren O’Hagan.

Derry found a quicker gear after that. They hit four of the following five scores with Niall