Derry 0-12

Longford 2-4

Derry staged a comeback the late Aaron Devlin would have been proud of to edge out Longford in the first of the weekend's All-Ireland MFC quarter-finals at a wet Brewster Park this afternoon.

Wearing black armbands in memory of the Ballinderry clubman and former county minor and senior who lost his battle for life on Thursday, the Ulster champions scored six unanswered points in the final quarter to overcome the Leinster runners-up, who had led by 2-2 to 0-4 at the break.

Shane McGuigan was the Oak Leaf scoring hero, signalling his intent by posting three early points to help them to a 0-3 to 0-1 lead. But the winners were rocked back on their heels when Darragh Doherty and Peter Hanley struck for Longford goals in the 23rd and 25th minutes.

Connor Berry added a free to leave the midlanders four clear at half-time.

Berry (free) and Ruairi Harkins had points either side of a Jack Doherty effort as Longford continued to lead by four, 2-4 to 0-6, 14 minutes into the second half.

But it was Derry after that as McGuigan slotted four points without reply to bring them level by the 55th minute. And Damian McErlain's charges closed the deal with late scores from Doherty and Conor Glass (free).

Derry - B McKinless; N Keenan, C McGrogan, C Maunsell; O Duffin, M McEvoy, E Concannon; P Kearney, J Doherty (0-2); P Coney, S Downey, C Glass (0-2); B Cassidy (0-1), B Grant, S McGuigan (0-7, 2f). Subs: S Higgins for B Grant, F Higgins for B Cassidy, N McAtamney for P Kearney, G McLaughlin for O Duffin, F Kearney for C Maunsell.

Longford - M Hughes; M Cahill, R Sheahan, R Harkins (0-1); C Brady, R Moffatt, K Sorohan; C Berry (0-3, 2f), E Farrell; C McCabe, P Hanley (1-0), J Matthews; R Brady, P Lynn, D Doherty (1-0). Subs: R Hawkins for R Moffatt, C Finnan for D Doherty, L Barry for R Sheahan, J Kelly for P Hanley.

Referee - L Devenney.

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