GAA: Bradley bashes 'em

MICKEY MORAN'S Derry burst out of the blocks to set the lauching pad for a win which saw them clear the first hurdle in the All- Ireland Football qualifiers.

Derry were looking to bounce back from their Ulster Championship defeat to Tyrone with a victory but Wicklow went into the game with plenty of hope as they beat yesterday's opposition in the National League earlier in the season.

But Derry, with Paddy Bradley in inspirational form, were deserving winners at Aughrim.

Johnny McBride gave Derry the lead with a point on three minutes but they were firmly in the driving seat five minutes later when Bradley collected a long ball from Niall McCusker to lash home a goal.

Poor Wicklow hardly got a look in for much of the first half but their chances of victory were boosted when they hit a purple patch in the dying stages of the first half.

Trevor Doyle scored 1-2, including a goal from a penalty-kick in the second minute of injury-time - to give them hope at the turnaround.

Bradley was to the fore after the break as Derry kept Wicklow at a safe distance and he ended the game as the leading scorer with a tally of 1-8.

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