Full Time: Dublin 3-20 - 2-12 Derry
Three last-minute changes to Dessie Farrell’s lineup may have sparked some fear for those bracing the cold in Hill 16, especially when coupled with the withdrawal of Ciaran Kilkenny from the squad. However, news of Con O’Callaghan’s addition may have offered some respite.
Two early scores from Seán Bugler got Dublin off the mark, but Derry proved to be no slouch. Paul Cassidy quickly halved the deficit, and points from Declan Cassidy and Shane McGuigan saw Derry pull ahead.
Allianz NFL Div 1 (15 min):
— Derry GAA (@Doiregaa) February 22, 2025
🔴 Derry 0-06
🔵 Dublin 0-03
Shane McGuigan free. #AllianzLeagues #DerryGAA2025
Derry’s charge continued, with Evan Comerford forced to make two crucial saves - the second seeing him scrape the ball off the line after it had struck the post. But it wasn't long before Dublin had found an answer to the visitor's sustained pressure.
A point from Breathnach, followed by a goal from Niall Scully fired Dublin back into the lead. After picking up a loose ball the forward lifted his shot goalwards, rattling the crossbar as he scored. He then added an extra point for good measure.
Niall Scully 🎯
— BBC SPORT NI (@BBCSPORTNI) February 22, 2025
The Dubs are in control at Croke Park!#BBCGAA pic.twitter.com/8GZeEtyNYC
Dublin continued to extend their lead as the half progressed, with Bugler adding his fourth of the game before Comerford cooly slotted another over the bar.
As the klaxon sounded to signal the end of the first half, they had scored nine unanswered points, stretching their lead to a comfortable seven-point advantage. The pick of the first-half scores came from midfielder Brian Howard, who sent a cracking side-volley effort straight over the bar. If the run of scores wasn't impressive enough in its own right, the break also marked 20 minutes since Dublin had conceded a point.
Dublin continued their dominance in the early stages of the second half, with Bugler opening the affairs once again. A well worked move between Comerford and Kevin Lahiff nearly saw the Dubs add a second goal, but McNicholl reacted well to keep it out.
Dublin's hot-streak eventually came to an end after 11 consecutive scores, with Brendan Rogers firing a goal past Comerford. Prior to that, Breathnach and Cian Murphy had popped two more over the bar to keep the Dubs comfortably ahead, regardless of Rogers' finish.
Allianz NFL Div 1 (45 mins):
— Derry GAA (@Doiregaa) February 22, 2025
🔴 Derry 1-06
🔵 Dublin 1-13
Derry goal! Brendan Rogers hits the back of the net #AllianzLeagues #DerryGAA2025
Cahir McGonagle may have given the travelling crowd a brief moment of hope as his point cut the lead back down to six - a sizeable, but manageable advantage. But points from Bugler and Con O'Callaghan quickly dampened their spirits once again. A beautiful goal from Tyrell then compounded the misery for the Derry fans.
Sean Bugler - who had been one of the standout players throughout the game - was forced off after receiving an injury. It didn't stop Dublin's stride, as within two minutes Lorcan O'Dell netted a third past McNicholl.
Derry did their best to ensure the scoreline was reasonable, with McGuigan's two-point score and a goal from Glass cutting the lead back down to the single digits. However, the formidable Con O'Callaghan brought his tally for the day to five, as he scored past the 40m arc. A fourth goal was nearly added at the death, but Niall Scully fired his effort from point blank over the bar.
Full Time: Dublin 3-20 - 2-12 Derry
Dublin: Evan Comerford, Alex Gavin, Theo Clancy, David Byrne, Conor Tyrell, Séan MacMahon, Cian Murphy, Brian Howard, Tom Lahiff, Séan Bugler (55), Luke Breathnach (55), Kevin Lahiff (49), Niall O’Callaghan (45), Eoghan O’Donnell (45), Niall Scully
Substitutes: Gavin Sheridan, Con O’Callaghan (45), Nathan Doran, Ethan Dunne, Davy Keogh (55), Sean Lowry(12), Peadar ó Cofaigh Byrne (55), Eoghan O’Connor-Flanagan, Lorcan O’Dell (45), Brian O’Leary, Calum Ahearne
Derry: Neil McNicholl, Diarmuid Baker, Eoin McEvoy, Ciaran McFaul, Conor Doherty, Brendan Rogers, Declan Cassidy (44), Conor Glass, Anton Tohil, Cahir McGonagle, Paul Cassidy, Ethan Doherty, Ben McCarron (52), Shane McGuigan, Niall Toner (22)
Substitutes: Odhran Lynch, Ryan Mulholland, Niall Loughlin (52), Padraig McGrogan (44), Martin Bradley, Dan Higgins, Lachlan Murray, Callum McGrogan (22) (41), Caolan Devlin (41), Mark Doherty (60), Jody McDermott
Referee: Noel Mooney (Cavan)
