Derry fight back to earn draw with leaders Galway

Derry duo Brendan Rogers and Ben McCarron put pressure on Galway's Paul Conroy

Derry produced a superb second-half comeback to secure a 0-16 to 1-13 draw with Division One pacesetters Galway.

Galway dominated the first half at Celtic Park with Dylan McHugh netting and Shane Walsh firing over six points to help the Tribesmen into a 1-10 to 0-4 lead at the break.

The Ulster hosts lost their opening two league games but fought back bravely from nine points down.

Derry still trailed by four points late in the game, but Lachlann Murray reduced the gap before Shane McGuigan slotted over three straight points in a thrilling finish.

Galway looked on course to make it three wins from three matches after a one-sided opening 35 minutes.

Paul Conroy's excellent pass put McHugh through on nine minutes and he supplied a composed finish for the only goal of the game.

Galway added three more scores before Walsh hit a two-pointer and he quickly followed it with another.

It was all change after the interval as Derry finally found their groove and set about mounting a fightback.

Derry keeper Neil McNicholl saw his goalbound shot diverted over the bar by John Daly and McGuigan rifled over a two-point free as the Oak Leafers scored seven points without reply to move two behind.

Walsh steadied Galway nerves with his third two-pointer of the evening but there was still time for Derry to change the outcome.

Lachlann started the four-point burst before McGuigan showed pinpoint accuracy to clinch an unlikely draw.