A clinical Dublin side defeat Derry

Dublin 1-11 Derry 0-03

22/02/2015

Derry Seniors headed down the M1 on Sunday to face a reborn Dublin side in the opening league match scheduled for Parnell Park. However, while travelling, an extra 35 minutes was added to the journey as the game was rescheduled to Bray.

A formidable Dublin team started strongly with a gale force wind behind them going 1-04 to 0-00 up as Derry struggled to get to grips with the game. But one positive for the Oakleaf side in the first half was Karen Kielt’s performance as a sweeper, Karen gave a superb display of controlled tackling, restricting the Dubs to a single goal. Dublin made three first half changes to try and get a grip on the game, Shane O’Brien Dublin manager stating after the game that Derry were much the better side in this period.

Derry started the second half with the wind so needed a good start, but was Louise O Hara for Dublin who struck first adding 2 points to her tally to stretch the lead, Kielt added Derry’s first from play before a second free. Derry then forced two wonderful saves from the Dublin keeper in quick succession which on another day could easily have changed the game.

Derry missed several scoreable frees before Dublin added another point from Ali Twoney. This was the Derry girls first outing of 2015, and playing these games in Division One will surly stand to them come championship. This game was extremely physical, and despite the weather played at a good pace.

Derry had several chances in the opening half then add in the two wonderful saves and missed frees only goes to prove you need to be clinical at this level. The two sides will meet again in the summer. Derry manager Joe Baldwin was pleased enough with the performance but disappointed with the result. Grainne O Kane, Eilis Mc Namee, and Bronagh Ni Chaiside stood out for Derry. Derry have a very young squad and with the addition of players like Eimear Mc Guigan and Roisin Cassidy things look very promising for the year ahead.