Sluggish Derry suffer shock defeat

Allianz National Hurling

League Div 3A

However the Armagh victory must be taken in the context that Derry were missing three key defenders and a midfielder. Full back Stephen Henry, centre half Liam Hinphey, left half Cathal Brunton and midfielder Mark Craig were unavailiable for a variety of reasons and this weakened them badly but they were still expected to win.

In perfect conditions for hurling Derry were unable to match the pace and fluency of the surprisingly good Armagh team. Derry were slow and sluggish in attack where only one starting forward scored from play and had it not been for a fine display at midfield by captain Kevin Hinphey the defeat could have been a lot worse.

Derry shot double the number of wides recorded by the victors but all too often they tried for goals when points were there for the taking. This is the first defeat they have suffered against improving Armagh for close on forty years and it was a huge set back to Derry's promotion hopes.

After several near misses Armagh finally overcame their nemesis of recent years and, after a tight opening twenty minutes, during which they shared eight points, Armagh scored the first of their three goals.

Fiachra Bradley took a pass from Conor McCann and slotted the ball to the net, Barry McCormick then driving the ball over the bar from the half way line for a 1-05 to 0-04 lead in the 22nd minute.

With Paddy Henry converting three frees and team captain Kevin Hinphey scoring 0-03 from play Derry were still well placed at 0-07 to 1-06 at the break. Indeed a fourth point from Hinphey eight minutes in to the second half put the Oakleafers 0-11 to 1-07 in front.

However a minute later Ryan Gaffney pulled an a loose ball in the goalmouth and it rippled the net to put Armagh 2-07 to 0-11 in front.

With John Corvan protecting the defence, and keeper Joe Burke blocking every effort in a hectic final fifteen minutes, Armagh clinched victory with a Conor McCann goal twelve minutes from half time, Feidhlim Kelly's late strike of academic interest only.

Derry: Daryll McDermott, Sean McCullagh, Emmett McKeever, Eoighin Farren, Ruairi McCloskey, Aaron McCloskey, Sean McNicholl, Alan Grant, Kevin Hinphey 0-04, Oisin McCloskey, Ruairi Convery 0-03 frees, Paddy McCloskey, Paddy Henry 0-04 frees, Mickey Conway 0-01, Gareth O'Kane-Sean McBride for Gareth O'Kane 56 mins-Feidhlim Kelly 1-00 for Paddy Henry 61 mins

Armagh: Joe Burke, Brian Mallon, Paddy McArdle, Donal Carvill, Barry Breen, Nathan Curry, Barry McCormick 0-01,Ger Enright, Cathal Carvill, Ryan Gaffney 1-04, 4 frees, Paul McCormick 0-01 free, John Corvan 0-01, Fiachra Bradley 1-02, Conor McCann 1-00, Kieran McKernan 0-02-Phillip Kirk for Brian Mallon 63 mins-Paul Breen for Conor McCann 65 mins-Ciaran Christie for Barry McCormick 70 mins

Referee:Declan Magee Down.