Derry chalked up their second win in Group A of the Dr. McKenna Cup after two starts when on Wednesday, 9th of January at the Ballinderry venue they defeated a determined St. Mary's U.C., Belfast side on a scoreline of 1-15 to 2-8. This was an interesting game from start to finish with the students to their credit taking the game to their more experienced opponents for long periods, and really 'having a go'. However, in the end the Oak Leaf county had too much strength in depth with All-Star forward Paddy Bradley in lively form leading their attack and finishing the game with a personal tally of 1-5. Despite the best efforts of the St. Mary's side the home team dominated play in the opening half, and helped by a Paddy Bradley goal in the sixth minute from a Ryan Keeley pass they went in at the break in a comfortable position leading by 1-8 to 0-4. To the credit of the students they never gave up the fight, and made Paddy Crozier's Derry side work hard to the final whistle. They scored two goals in the second-half from John Cunningham and an effort from Paul McAleer in the closing minutes, but it wasn't enough to trouble a strong and focussed Derry side who always had something in hand. They can now look forward to their top-of-the-table clash with unbeaten Fermanagh on Sunday afternoon next, 13th of January at the Glen venue, and that should be an interesting encounter. Derry - J. Deighan; N. Holy, K. McGuckin, J. Kane; M. McBride 0-1, N. McCusker 0-1, F. McEldowney; Fergal Doherty, A. McElhone; R. Keely 0-2, C. O'Kane 0-1, S. L. McGoldrick; E; Lynn 0-1, Paddy Bradley 1-5, 0-3 from frees, C. Mullan 0-3, 2 frees. Subs - Liam Hinphey for J. Kane; C. Devlin 0-1 for S. L. McGoldrick; M. Craig for N. McCusker; O. Brown for E. Lynn; K. McCloy for N. Holly. St. Mary's - B. Marron; D. Smith, M. Digney, K. O'Boyle; M. McKeever, S. O'Neill, B. Og Maguire; J. Kelly, G. O'Neill 0-1; B. McGoldrick 0-3, one free, C. Niblock, N. McVeigh; S. Donaghy, M. Pollock 0-1 from a free, P. Carville 0-4, 3 frees. Subs - T. Hackett for K. O'Boyle; J. McCormack for S. Donaghy; S. Cunningham 1-0 for N. McVeigh; P. McAleer for G. O'Neill 1-0 and R. Hamill for B. McGoldrick. Referee: Gregory Walsh from Antrim. Tweet

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