National League Division One semi-final results:
Derry 2-15 – 1-16 Mayo
Dublin 2-20 – 2-13 Cork
It’s going to be a case of double D (steady) in the National League Final in a fortnight’s time after Derry and Dublin progressed to the decider with victories over Mayo and Cork respectively today.
Goals from Cailean O’Boyle and Kevin Johnston and an inspirational display from Mark Lynch helped Derry to a vital two-point win over Mayo in the first semi-final at headquarters, a win that was even more impressive considering that Fergal Doherty was sent-off for the Oak Leafers for a robust challenge on Aidan O’Shea in the first half.
In the second semi-final, Cork made a blistering start and had the ball in the net twice in ten minutes thanks to a Colm O’Neill finish and a bizarre major resulting from an uncharacteristic Stephen Cluxton mistake, which Mark Collins capitalised on to increase Cork’s lead.
Dublin were a team transformed in the second half and with Michael Darragh MacAuley hitting the net for the second time in a week, they had levelled matters by the 60th minute and took the lead when Alan Brogan popped one over the bar a minute later.
Diarmuid Connolly put Dublin firmly in the driving seat when converting a penalty five minutes from the death and the Dubs held on comfortably to give them a chance of retaining their National League title back at HQ in two weeks’ time.
Check out some of the best pictures from Croker in the gallery above.
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