Dungiven hurler figures large in NHL game against London

London 0-8 Derry 5-16

A week earlier London had given Meath a scare before going down by five points and it was generally anticipated that this would be a stern test for Derry. London were without ace marksman Martin Finn and the Cork native was sorely missed. Derry on the other hand were strengthened by the inclusion of the Kevin Lynch duo Liam Hinphey and Mark Craig and with Kevin Lynch's attacker Paddy McCloskey plundering four second half goals Derry won more or less as they pleased.

London keeper Gannon had a nightmare and was replaced late in the game and while he may have been to blame for a couple of the goals in truth Derry's winning margin would have been much wider but for some wayward finishing in the first half.

This win will have boosted the confidence of Derry going into their third game at the end of the month away to improving Mayo at Ballyhanus. Manager James O'Kane praised the contribution of the powerful McCloskey 'Paddy had a curious opening fifteen minutes but when we moved him to wing forward he got into the game, he took his chances really well and as the game progressed he blossomed. He is a quality hurler'. Referreing to London the modest O'Kane said 'we got off to a good start and London did not, on the day they did not do themselves justice'

Second in the scoring stakes was Lavey player Paddy Henry who hit ten points eight of them from frees. The 22 year old is back after missing almost two years with a serious knee injury and he is fast returning to his best.

London had an early point from Donal Kinsella but gradually the bigger Derry men around the midfield diamond began to take control and the score began to mount. The first winners goal had a hint of fortune when a long range effort from midfielder Mark Craig deceived keeper Gannon and slipped to the net.

Despite a host of missed chances Derry still led by 1-6 to 0-4 after twenty minutes and the continued accuracy of Paddy Henry from frees pushed them into a match winning 1-10 to 0-4 interval lead.

Colm Quinn hit a London point in the opening minute of the second half but soon the powerful McCloskey was in scoring mode blasting home a superb goal in the third minute. James McCormick replied with a point from the exiles but again McCloskey struck when set up by captain Kevin Hinphey.

The nine minute hat trick was completed when keeper Gannon blocked his initial shot but the rebound fell right and Paddy hit the net.

The fourth goal came almost at the end when Oisin McCloskey found him with a crossfield pass and sub keeper Burke failed to stop his sizzling shot.

In the other games in the Division Armagh caused a ripple of surprise when they travelled to Meath and got a deserved draw scoring 2-17 to Meath's 1-20. Kerry who beat Derry in the opening round were hard pressed to beat an improving Mayo side by 1-20 to 2-14 with captain Shane Brick getting twelve of the points.

Derry scorers: Paddy McCloskey 4-1, Paddy Henry 0-10, 0-8frees, Mark Craig 1-0, Michael Conway 0-2, Ruairi McCloskey, Kevin Hinphey and Oisin McCloskey 0-1 each.

London scorers: Colm Quinn 0-6, 0-5 frees, David Kinsella and James McCormick 0-1 each.

Derry: Daryl. McDermott, Sean McCullagh, Stephen. Henry, Ruairi. McCloskey, Aaron. McCloskey, Liam. Hinphey, Cathal. Brunton, Kevin. Hinphey capt, Mark. Craig, Sean. McNicholl, Ruairi. Convery, Paddy.Henry, Paddy. McCloskey, Michael. Conway, Oisin. McCloskey. Subs Eoghan. Farren for S. McCullagh, Aaron. Kelly for S. McNicholl, Conaill. McCloskey for R. McCloskey, Cathal. McQuillan for A. McCloskey.

London P. Gannon, K. Kennedy, M. Ryan, N, Cody, C. Forde, F. Tierney, J. McCormick, J. Power, P. Stephenson, C. Quinn, T. Twomey, D. Kinsella, B. Tennyson. J. Holohan, Subs D.Delaney for T. Twomey, JJ Burke for P, Gannon, M Feeney for P. Stephenson and M. O'Dwyer for J. Holohan.

Referee: D. Copps Cork.