Davy Devine delivers as London land Christy Ring Cup glory at GGA HQ with triumph over Derry
Davy Devine took the step up in standard in his stride as London claimed the Christy Ring Cup title.
It's only last year that the Westmeath man was playing for Warwickshire in the Lory Meagher Cup - and his switch to London has paid off.
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London celebrates with the Christy Ring Cup after the win over Derry at Croke Park
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London edged a tight game at GAA HQ to win the Christy Ring Cup
Devine struck London's only goal and hit 1-12 in total as the Exiles claimed their first title since 2012.
London reeled off six points in a row between the 55th and 65th minutes to put them in a winning position.
Derry did reduce the deficit to one in stoppage time as they fought desperately to avoid a third final defeat in a row.
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But back-to-back Devine points were the insurance scores for London who will step up to the Joe McDonagh Cup in 2026.
Devine will fancy that challenge having already moved seamlessly up the grades to lead the line for London.
Boss Neil Rogers said: "Davy's brilliant, he's had an unbelievable season for us. I think today was his best performance of all. He was on the frees and I think he only missed one, he was up 100% other than that. He stuck his goal away well too and was absolutely brilliant for us.
"He would have played with Westmeath all the way up along, underage to senior. And he played a bit of football as well. He was with Warwickshire then last year before moving to London. It was a big step up but no better man for it."
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Derry beat London in the round robin stage but trailed London virtually throughout this time.
Devine was's 13th minute goal put three between them at that stage and was expertly taken.
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Sean Glynn did the spadework with a powerful run through the centre before laying off to his left for Devine to volley home.
Glynn and Dylan Dawson added points to leave London still three clear at half-time, 1-15 to 1-12.
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Thomas Brady hit the Derry goal, a bullet finish after a precise pass from John Mullan.
They Oak Leafers enjoyed their best period in the third quarter and briefly led at 1-20 to 1-19.
Eamon Conway came strongly into the game for them with four second-half points from play.
But London's six points in a row proved decisive and gave them a vital cushion in the home straight.
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Still, Derry did have one last chance at the finish to score a goal which would have rescued a draw and forced extra-time.
Cormac O'Doherty drilled a free at the goal but London cleared the danger and took the silverware.
London 1-27
Derry 1-24
London: M Kilgannon; N Fitzgerald, C Byrne, S Whelan; T Millerick 0-1, E Egan 0-4, 3f, 1 65, P Muldoon; A Cunney, P Kennedy 0-1; J Morrissey 0-1, S Glynn 0-2, D Dawson 0-3; C McCormack 0-1, C O'Carroll 0-2, D Devine 1-12, 9f.
Subs: N Geoghegan for Fitzgerald 35, R Lodge for Kennedy 44, O Sheil for McCormack 55, T Hanifin for Cunney 69, D Leahy for Dawson 72.
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Derry: S Kelly; S Cassidy, M Craig, P Turner; R O Mianain 0-2, R Mullan 0-2, J Friel; M McGrath, E Conway 0-4; T Brady 1-1, J Mullan, C O'Doherty 0-9, 8f; C Murray 0-1, C McNaughton 0-3, S Cassidy 0-1.
Subs: P Kelly for Friel & R McGill 0-1 for Brady 56, G Bradley for McGrath 61, C O'Kane for Mullan 68.
Ref: P Dunne (Laois)
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