2020 Ulster Minor Football Championship semi-final: Derry 3-10 Tyrone 2-12
DERRY dug deep to hold on for a one-point victory and a place in the 2020 Ulster Minor Football Championship final in a thrilling clash with Tyrone.
Last year’s unfinished competition returned in spectacular fashion at the Athletic Grounds as two totally committed teams laid on a terrific contest.
The goals dried up in a tense second half following a free-flowing opening period which saw each side strike twice.
But Matthew Downey’s 40th minute penalty proved to be the decisive score, netted as the Oak Leafers were playing into the wind.
They succeeded in holding off their opponents in a nervy finish, showing resilience and character.
A towering midfield performance by Dan Higgins was instrumental in steering Derry towards Friday’s decider, his high fielding and distribution a highlight of the game.
Defensive structures were clearly set out but not without their flaws, understandably so, given the six-month time lapse between quarter- and semi-finals.
Initially, Derry managed their strategy better, bringing 13 men behind the ball to frustrate their opponents, and breaking at pace to exploit the space.
And they struck the game’s first goal in the 15th minute, excellent centre back Eoin McEvoy combining with Mark Doherty, before Niall O’Donnell crossed for Matthew Downey to collect and hit the net.
With 1-4 on the spin, including eye-catching scores from McEvoy and Higgins, they led by 1-4 to 0-3 by the 18th minute.
But the Red Hands had their spell late in the half, hitting the front with a 1-2 salvo. Cormac Devlin and Ruairi McHugh added to earlier points from Conor Cush and Conor Colton, and it was Devlin who smacked home a 26th minute goal.
The Oak Leafers responded with an O’Donnell goal less than a minute later, and as it swung from end to end, Conor McGillion squeezed home a goal from a tight angle, sending Tyrone in with a 2-7 to 2-6 lead.
Ruairi Canavan, unable to start due to injury, came in to hit two points early in the second half, with Lachlan Murray and Charlie Diamond replying at the other end.
And in the 40th minute, Downey smashed home a penalty which was to have a crucial impact.
The Derry lads hunted down their opponents throughout a dogged final 24 minutes, during which each side managed just one score as the mood changed from adventure to survival, and it was Martin Boyle’s side that held on for a title decider against Monaghan.
Derry: K McGonigle; A McGonigle, P McGurk, C Shields; M Doherty, E McEvoy (0-1), L Brady; D Higgins (0-1), P O’Kane; D Gilmore, M Downey (2-2, 1-0 pen, 0-2 frees), J McDermott; C Diamond (0-3, 0-2 frees), L Murray (0-2), N O’Donnell (1-1).
Subs: J Moore for A McGonigle (48), P McCullagh for Doherty (55), N Duggan for McDermott (57).
Tyrone: H Morgan (0-1 45); C Kelly, E McCaffrey, M Rafferty; J Donaghy, L McGarrity, F Taggart; O McGrath, R Campbell; C Colton (0-1), T Grimes, R McHugh (0-1); C Devlin (1-1), C Cush (0-4, 0-2 frees), C McGillion (1-2).
Subs: R Canavan (0-2, 1f) for McGrath (h-t), O Miller for Grimes (45), P McCann for Devlin (51), S Quinn for Cush (55).
Referee: D O’Hare (Down).
