Derry Escape Ballybofey With Title Hopes Intact
Paddy Bradley of Derry celebrates a point that put Derry ahead in front of Karl Lacey of Donegal (INPHO)
Ulster SFC Quarterfinal
Derry 1-14
Donegal 1-12
By Dermot Kavanagh
Newly crowned League champions, Derry just about escaped from Ballybofey on Sunday with their provincial title hopes intact. Granted Derry were the better team in the second half but woeful shooting in the first half could have scuppered their championship aspirations. In that period Derry had 11 wides to Donegals 2, most of which were scoreable.
Derry's wastefulness saw the homeside enjoy a half time lead of 1-07 to 1-04. Both goals, it has to said were of the "gift" variety as Derrys goal came from a defensive blunder hile the homesides goal was a result that should not have been awarded.
The second half saw a different Derry team. Enjoying mid field through Dorerthy and Diver, Derry were able to channel good ball into their chief scoregetter, Paddy Badley. And how well Bradley responded. In all he accounted for 10 of his teams tally (four from play, the remainer from frees on himself). Donegal simply had no answer to Bradleys array of talents.
Played before a full house on a sunny but energy sapping day this was a highly competitive game. Despite carrying the usual quota of hard knocks and near reckless that one associates with Ulster championship football.
There was no real turning point to the game but the failure of Donegal to register any score between the 41st and 71st minute can be said to have opened the door for Derry, an invitation that they were never likely to refuse.
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