Derry 0-12
Down 0-11
DOWN MANAGER JIM McCorry refused to blame the referee for his sides’ one point defeat to Derry after Conall McGovern’s controversial sending off swung the game in the hosts’ favour.
McGovern was shown a straight red shortly after the restart for what the referee adjudged to be a hand in the face of Enda Lynch.
Despite their numerical disadvantage, the Mournemen persevered and managed to claw back a four point deficit but Eoin Bradley fired over a free in stoppage time to clinch the narrowest of victories for Derry.
They will now face either Armagh or Donegal in the Ulster football championship semi-finals on 27 June.
After working their way back into the game, Down had the opportunity to snatch victory but Jerome Johnston’s effort fell short and from the resulting move, Derry earned the free for Bradley to land the decisive blow.
Although it was a game which lacked quality, there was no shortage of excitement or tension throughout as both sides exchanged scores.
The home side went into the break leading 0-8 to 0-5 and looked like taking complete control of the game when McGovern was given his marching orders after 37 minutes.
Mark Lynch, who finished with five points, sent over a free to then extend Brian McIver’s sides’ advantage to four but Down rallied with the sense of injustice.
Paul Devlin scored three frees in quick succession and then Conor Laverty levelled proceedings with a fine point of his own but it was all ultimately in vain.
After Daryl O’Hagan was shown a black card for a foul, Bradley stepped-up to send Derry into the last four.
The Oak Leaf county must wait until next weekend to discover their opponents with Armagh and Donegal locking horns on Sunday.
Scorers for Derry: Eoin Bradley 0-5 (0-3f), Enda Lynn 0-1, Mark Lynch 0-5 (0-2f), Cailean O’Boyle 0-1
Scorers for Down: Donal O’Hare 0-1 (0-1f), Kevin McKernan 0-2, Paul Devlin 0-6 (0-6f), Conor Laverty 0-2
Derry
1. Thomas Mallon
2. Oisín Duffy
3. Brendan Rogers
4. Dermot McBride
5. Kevin Johnston
6. Chrissy McKaigue
7. Ciarán McFaul
8. Niall Holly
9. Fergal Doherty
10. Sean Leo McGoldrick
11. Mark Lynch
12. Enda Lynn
13. Benny Heron
14. Eoin Bradley
15. Daniel Heavron
Down
1. Stephen Kane
2. Darren O Hagan
3. Luke Howard
4. Ryan Boyle
5. Damian Turley
6. Brendan McArdle
7. Conaill McGovern
8. Peter Fitzpatrick
9. Paul Devlin
10. Caolan Mooney
11. Conor Maginn
12. Kevin McKernan
13. Mark Poland
14. Conor Laverty
15. Donal O’Hare
Referee: Eddie Kinsella
Attendance: 10, 541
