Dr McKenna Cup: Derry prevailed in this hard-fought McKenna Cup game at Esker Park yesterday.

It was tough going for both sides with players going into tackles late and strong. Down's Joe Doran was sent off for a second yellow card midway through the second half.

Paddy Bradley's accuracy had been largely responsible for Derry's 0-6 to 0-3 lead at that stage. They took advantage of the extra room by getting points from Bradley and Johnny McBride.

Down came back to 0-5 to 0-8 with points from Stephen Kearney and Fintan McGreevy but Derry finished the scoring through Bradley.

DERRY: M Conlon; K McGuckin, N McCusker, K McCloy; P Wilson, S M Lockhart, C McWilliams; Patsy Bradley, J McBride (0-1); Paul Murphy, Feargal McEldowney, Pádraig Murphy; C Gilligan (0-2), Paddy Bradley (0-5), Paul Bradley (0-1). Subs: Francis McEldowney for C McWilliams, P McFlynn for Paul Bradley, E Burke for Paul Murphy.

DOWN: M McVeigh; D Rafferty, A Scullion, S Farrell; J Clarke, J Doran, A Brannigan; A Rogers (0-1), A Molloy; P Murphy, L Doyle (0-2), F McGreevy (0-1); R Sexton, C McCrickard, S Kearney (0-1). Subs: M Doran for J Clarke, A Rice for L Doyle, J Lavery for A Molloy, A Kane for A Rice.

Referee: S McKee (Armagh).