Odhran Lynch: Last time he came under siege his decision making let him down against Galway. Learned a lot from that. Top-class in that respect and his delivery. Big strong hand to deny Meyler. 8.5
Chrissy McKaigue: When he’s asked to mark a man, he marks a man. McCurry got two superb points from play that McKaigue could have done very little about. 8
Brendan Rogers: Too tight to McShane at times early on, though one of the two fouls was soft. Got on top and excelled thereafter, dominating Darragh Canavan in the second half. 8.5
Conor McCluskey: Rotated between a host of different men, making it hard to determine his defensive performance, but he certainly didn’t do much wrong. 7
“It was tough on my mum and dad. I knew I was self-destructing. And I also knew the next phase of that, if I had carried on, it was not being here. I was in a very dark place...” - the life and times of Caolan Mooney
“I felt as if the world was going to end...” St Colman’s College sports studies students submit articles on the game, fight or issue that mattered most to them this year…
STAR MAN
Conor Doherty: He and clubmate Padraig McGrogan have been Derry’s unsung men all year. Drove relentlessly at Tyrone, scoring two first-half points. Tyrone moved Conor Meyler to him but it made no difference. Brilliant, breathless display. 9.5
Shea Downey: Filled in gaps down the right wing of the huge defensive phalanx that Derry put in Tyrone’s way. No enormous impact on the ball but solid. 6
Padraig McGrogan: Showed up well in the second half when he was comfortable in a battle with Conor McKenna. Very good defensively. 7
Gareth McKinless: The 2006 win was about a Ballinderry man and so was this. An electric performance in an unfamiliar midfield role that proved a masterstroke. Tyrone didn’t like his directness. 9
Conor Glass: Did a whole pile of excellent work in the air, most of it competing and breaking down Tyrone’s long kickout. Sat very deep with great discipline in open play. 8
Paul Cassidy: Rory Gallagher has put great faith in the young Bellaghy forward and it was rewarded enormously yesterday. A few lovely dummies, including one to win the penalty. 8
Benny Heron: His best game ever in a Derry jersey? Heron was like a man possessed, direct and powerful, kicking two points from play and at times dominating against Peter Harte. 8.5
Ethan Doherty: Was at the heart of his team’s excellent start, assisting the first two scores and notching the third himself. Quietened thereafter but still had moments. 8
Niall Toner: The curveball in the team, he was well detailed by Michael McKernan all afternoon. Showed plenty but well restrained. 6
Shane McGuigan: The big championship performance Derry needed from him. Padraig Hampsey did well in the first half but as the game broke up, McGuigan excelled. 1-4 in total, brilliant penalty, two from play. 8.5
Niall Loughlin: The Greenlough man was the outlet in the first half, playing a really direct, aggressive game. His only score from play was the last but capped a superb display. 9
Subs
Emmett Bradley: Surprise that he was dropped, came in and took a good score from a mark. 6.5
Padraig Cassidy: Clearly not fit to start, will be a plus if he’s fit in two weeks. 6
Lachlan Murray: One wide at the end. 6
Paul McNeill: Not on long enough to be rated.
Ben McCarron: Not on long enough to be rated.
