National League Division 2 – Derry 3-14 Galway 3-4

The re-shaped 2007 All-Ireland Junior championship winning team is one test away from clinching a place in the Division Two decider, thanks to three first-half goals on the Commercial GAC’s pitch at Rathcoole.

McGoldrick, Katrina O’Kane and Clare Scullin plundered the crucial goals against Galway’s Intermediate squad. Derry turned 3-8 to 2-2.

In the end O’Kane also picked off three points, Scullin one point, Kate McAuley one point and Aileen Laverty four points.

The result followed the progressive Oak Leaf side’s clinical opening round success against Wexford, and on Sunday next it’s the closing group game against Tipperary.

Once again the key game will be staged at a dreaded half-way venue.

Derry’s co-boss Pßdraig Ë Mianßin was delighted with yet another significant sign of healthy progress, yet critical of some aspects of team play against Galway.

The encouraging outcome was just the tonic, and an indication the team is inching along in the right direction.

But, Ë Mianßin insists the side is far from being the finished article, and players must keep collective feet on the ground and focus on sorting out some flaws that surfaced during what was a workmanlike display.

At worst, Derry is assured of a place in the play-offs, but the obvious target is to beat Tipperary and secure direct entry to the end-of-April final.

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