A Shane McGuigan exhibition in front of goal gave Derry a four-point win against a dogged Leitrim.
It was Leitrim’s first time to grace the Croke Park turf since 2006 and their fans travelled in huge numbers.
And just 53 seconds in they got their first point courtesy of Dean McGovern.
But six points without reply in the last 15 minutes of the half ensured Derry made their way in leading 0-10 to 0-7.
Four points in the second half from the lively Leitrim forward Ryan O’Rourke ensured Leitrim kept their chances of a comeback alive right until the final whistle.
But it wasn’t to be for Terry Hyland’s men with Slaughtneil star McGuigan finishing with a Derry high of six points – five of them coming in the second period – to ease the Oak Leaf side over the line.
Derry scorers: S McGuigan (0-6, 2f), E Lynn (0-3), C McKaigue (0-2), E Bradley (0-2), R Bell (0-2, 1f), C Bradley (0-2f), N Toner (0-1), P Cassidy (0-1), C Doherty (0-1).
Leitrim: R O’Rourke (0-6, 4f), E Sweeney (0-2, 1f), M McWeeney (0-1), P Maguire (0-1), R Mulvey (0-1), M Plunkett (0-1), S Moran (0-1), D McGovern (0-1), E Mulligan (0-1), D Flynn (0-1).
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