Dublin 0-8
Derry 0-4

DUBLIN GOT THE job done in the end at Croke Park with four late points, but it was painful viewing for long spells as Derry were eventually consigned to relegation.

With the scores tied at 0-4 apiece and 65 minutes on the clock, Brian McIver’s Derry dreamt of stealing a win to keep alive their Allianz league Division 1 survival hopes.

But four Dublin points without reply from Dean Rock — who top scored on the evening with 0-3 — Paddy Andrews and man-of-the-match Diarmuid Connolly finally sealed the deal.

The result moves Dublin second in the table and firmly in the frame for a semi-final spot ahead of the final round of games.

But it was another forgettable affair for them as they shot 17 wides in total against a Derry side that invited them to attack a buttressed defence.

Derry led 0-3 to 0-2 at half-time though just two points had been kicked from open play in that period.

Derry would have enjoyed a two-point advantage but for a long range Connolly score on the stroke of half-time — a rare highlight in the game.

The sides were twice level in the second-half at 0-3 and 0-4 apiece though Derry created little in attack and were more concerned with stifling Dublin’s talented forwards.

They did that for more than an hour and the sides were still tied with 65 minutes played, but Dublin finally broke free with those late four points.

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Scorers for Dublin: Dean Rock 0-3 (0-2f), Diarmuid Connolly 0-2, Michael Darragh Macauley, Cormac Costello and Paddy Andrews 0-1 each.

Scorers for Derry: Mark Lynch, Benny Heron (0-1 45), James Kielt 0-1 (0-1f) and Enda Lynn 0-1 each.

DUBLIN

1. Stephen Cluxton (Parnells)

2. Philip McMahon (Ballymun Kickhams)
3. Rory O’Carroll (Kilmacud Crokes)
4. Eoin Culligan (Kilmacud Crokes)

5. Jonny Cooper (Na Fianna)
6. John Small (Ballymun Kickhams)
7. Jack McCaffrey (Clontarf)

24. Michael Darragh Macauley (Ballyboden St Enda’s)
9. Tomas Brady (Na Fianna)

10. Paul Flynn (Fingallians)
11. Diamruid Connolly (St Vincent’s)
12. Ciaran Kilkenny (Castleknock)

13. Kevin McManamon (St Jude’s)
14. Dean Rock (Ballymun Kickhams)
15. Bernard Brogan (St Oliver Plunkett’s/Eoghan Ruadh)

20. Cormac Costello (Whitehall Colmcille) for McManamon (h/t)
25 James McCarthy (Ballymun Kickhams) for Brady (42)
18. David Byrne (Naomh Olaf) for Culligan (42)
17. Paddy Andrews (St Brigid’s) for Kilkenny (51)
22. Brian Fenton (Raheny) for Macauley (54)
19. Davy Byrne (Ballmun Kickhams) for Brogan (70)

DERRY

1. Thomas Mallon (The Loup)

2. Oisin Duffy (Foreglen)
3. Niall Holly (Eoghan Rua)
4. Kevin Johnston (Dungiven)

5. Liam McGoldrick (Eoghan Rua)
6. Conor McAtamney (Swatragh)
7. Michael McIver (Ballinderry)

8. Mark Lynch (Banagher)
9. Emmet Bradley (Glen)

10. Sean Leo McGoldrick (Eoghan Rua)
11. Daniel Heavron (Magherafelt)
12. Enda Lynn (Greenlough)

13. Benny Heron (Ballinascreen)
14. Emmet McGuckin (Magherafelt)
15. James Kielt (Kilrea)

Subs
21. Fergal Doherty (Bellaghy) for Bradley (46)
23. Terence O’Brien (The Loup) for McGuckin (46)
26. Ciaran McFaul (Glen) for Kielt (46)
25. Daniel McKinless (Balinderry) for McIver (51)
22. Neill McNicholl (Glenullen) for L McGoldrick (67)

Referee: Conor Lane (Cork).

After scoring this cracker for Glenavon earlier, Eoin Bradley took his place on the bench for Derry GAA>

Schutte-inspired Dublin beat Limerick to reach Allianz Hurling League semis>