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Sunday, 21 March 2010

Derry fall to fourth NFL defeat

Derry’s Kevin McGuckin and Conor McManus of Monaghan

Monaghan condemned Derry to their fourth defeat of their National League Division One campaign and at the same time boosted their own chances of avoiding the drop with a convincing victory at Scotstown on Sunday.

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Monaghan 1-16 Derry 0-12
Interview: Conor McManus

Monaghan 1-16 Derry 0-12

Corner forward Conor McManus top scored with eight points as he increased his NFL tally to 0-24 as the Farney County chalked up their second victory in five starts.

McManus put his team's success down to its work ethic as Monaghan won with more comfort than the scoreline suggests.

Derry were disappointing in the first half in particular but they scored the last four points of the game when it was over as a contest.

"We concentrated on upping our work rate at training during the week and it paid off during the game," said McManus.

"It was an important win for us but we know there is still room for improvement."

Monaghan manager Seamus McEnaney was happy with his team's first half display and the result.

"The players went into the game in a very determined frame of mind and it wouldn't have mattered who we were playing," he said.

"We played well in the first half but dropped down a gear in the second so we will have to work on that during the week.

"It was an important win for us and we managed to get a decent score which could have a bearing on things later on."

It was a close affair in the opening quarter as the teams were level on no fewer than four occasions.

But after McManus sent over a free in the 16th minute Monaghan were seldom in trouble against an off-key Derry side, who kicked 11 wides during the course of the game.

Thomas Freeman got what turned out to be the only goal of the game a minute later when he drilled a low shot into the corner of the net to put the home side into a 1-5 to 0-4 lead.

The Oak Leaf County failed to add a single point in the remainder of the first half, not helped by some bad misses in front of goal both from frees and play as Monaghan led 1-10 to 0-4 at the break.

When Monaghan sent over three of the first four scores in the second half the game was out of reach for Derry who trailed 1-13 to 0-5 by the 45th minute.

Michael Bateson and Paddy Bradley reduced the margin with two scores shortly afterwards as Monaghan took their foot of the pedal.

Freeman and Paul Finlay replied for McEnaney's side before Michael Bateson got his second point to make it 1-15 to 0-8 with 12 minutes to go.

Dermot Malone increased Monaghan's advantage in the 59th minute but that turned out to be the home side's last score of the game.

Derry were a well beaten side but they finished with a flourish, Raymond Wilkinson, James Kielt, Eoin Bradley and Joe Diver all sending over points to put a little bit of respectability on the scoreboard but Damian Cassidy's team now have a battle on their hands if they are to avoid relegation into Division Two.