Derry’s dream dies at Croker

Derry’s hangover from last week’s defeat to Donegal in the Ulster final manifested itself when they were well beaten by Kildare in the round four of the All-Ireland qualifiers at Croke Park yesterday evening.

The Dublin sun beat down on the impeccable Croke Park surface but Derry’s display was more like a rainy day; they struggled to get to grips with the Kildare half-forward line and when the Lilywhites poked their noses in front midway through the first half there was no stopping them.

Yesterday’s result was the end of the line for John Brennan’s team and without brothers Paddy and Eoin Bradley they never looked like they would get anything out of the game.

John Brennan’s men started the game well but Kildare settled and James Kavanagh and Johnny Doyle imposed themselves relentlessly as Ciaran McGeeney’s men ran out worthy winners to a final score of 0-19 to 0-13.

Kildare were big favourites before throw-in and the short price offered by the bookies reflected the final score.

They totally outplayed the Oak Leafers and despite several substitutions in the second half John Brennan’s men could not find a way through.

“I would concede that we were second best,” said a disappointed John Brennan afterwards.

“Kildare were a team who knew how to win better than us and it showed today.

“We didn’t get the rub of the green and I thought we started okay but we lost our way towards the end of the first half. Kildare worked hard and we dropped our game in the second half.

“We had a few chances to bring the game back to a two point game but we didn’t take our chances. You have to take your chances at this level because if you don’t you will be punished.

“When things are going your way you can try different things but things just didn’t go our way today,” he said.