Ulster U21 Semi-Final
Derry 0-21 Armagh 1-15

DERRY qualified for their first Ulster U21 Final in nine years after seeing off Armagh in Wednesday night’s extra-time classic at Celtic Park.

Fergal P McCusker’s side will now face Donegal in Monday’s final, after they hammered Cavan by double scores in the other side semi-final.

Derry made hard work of their win and with the game poised with 15 minutes to go it looked to be Armagh who would pull through.  The Orchard men had gained control at midfield and Derry played right into their hands, running into traffic and kicking away cheap possession.

Whatever was said in the dressing room in the interval before extra-time had the desired effect?  Derry came out, with a spring in their step but it still took every ounce of energy to see off Armagh and it wasn’t until Lavey’s Eamonn McGill scored Derry’s insurance point that they could breathe a sigh of relief.

DEADLY DUO

Shane McGuigan and the majestic Danny Tallon were a potent inside duo, with Conor Doherty reverting back to his sweeper slot and attacked from deep.

Ben McKinless was in unstoppable form early on with his kicking but as the half wore on the telepathy broke down and Derry found themselves at sea.

Attacking the Brandywell end it was the home team who registered the first score from Patrick Kearney, a fine effort from distance.

Points from Peter Hagan and Danny Tallon saw Derry take a deserving three point lead but Armagh soon reeled them in with a sustained period of dominance.

Armagh’s star man in attack against Down Shea Loye added a score and when Caolan McConville scored the sides were level, 0-3 each after ten minutes.

Derry’s defence began to tighten up and with Jack Doherty and Kearney finding another spell around the middle, the home side worked themselves ahead, with scores from Tallon and McGuigan.

Derry were the architects of their own downfall as Armagh fought back.  Paddy Coney’s shot was blocked and when Armagh attacked Rian O’Neill fired over after a pass from Oisin.

The older O’Neill – Oisin, tagged on a quick score and soon Derry’s lead was down to a single point.

Jordan Curran had a gimpse of goal but had his shot blocked but Callum O’Neill.  Armagh spurned a chance when Jason Duffy illegally hand-passed into the net.

Soon Derry’s net was bulging when Oisin O’Neill crashed to the roof of the net after a pinpoint pass from brother Rian.

Armagh led 1-6 to 0-8 at half-time but were guilty of some poor wides that could have left them further ahead.

Half-time: Armagh 1-6 Derry 0-8

McCusker freshened up his attack, with Barry Grant and Tiarnan Flanagan coming in, but neither went on to influence the game.  It was Armagh who enjoyed most of the play in the second half, despite Danny Tallon kicking Derry into an early lead.

A fisted point from Shea Hoey was followed by points from the O’Neill brothers and wing back Callum O’Neill to put Armagh in control.

Trailing 1-10 to 0-10, Derry needed an avenue back into the game.  Conor Doherty won a kick-out from McKinless which led to a foul on the industrious Peter Hagan.  Tallon floated over the free for a much-needed score.

Shane McGuigan from a free and a point from play after a Hagan pass saw Derry back on level terms.  With Armagh on the attack Jason Duffy was brilliantly denied by Oisin Duffin’s challenge and when the play developed Danny Tallon’s free looked to have won the game for Derry.

Tiarnan Flanagan was guilty of a wayward pot-shot and Danny Tallon registered a wide as Derry just needed to see out the game.   Armagh punished them when Oisin O’Neill point with the last kick of the game forced extra-time.

Full-time: Derry 0-14 Armagh 1-11

It was like last summer’s minor clash in Clones when Armagh pegged Derry back.  In the first period of extra-time Shea Hoey went close with a goal chance after an incisive run - it was a let-off.

Danny Tallon kicked a wonder score after a cheeky dummy to lift Derry.  Stephen Morris and Shane McGuigan exchanged points and when Dean Curran put Derry 0-18 to 1-12 ahead it looked like game, set and match.

Not yet.  Tom O’Kane waltzed forward to kick two scores and it was game on once again.  Eamonn McGill won a vital kick-out out on the sideline and Danny Tallon’s point saw Derry get vital possession at the crucial time.

Peter Hagan kicked his third of the game before McGill had the last say to put Derry through to Monday’s Ulster Final.

Derry: Ben McKinless, Niall Keenan, Oisin Duffin, Conor McGrogan, Cathal Mulholland, Michael McEvoy, Jordan Curran, Jack Doherty, Patrick Kearney (0-2), Paddy Coney, Peter Hagan (0-3), Conor Doherty, Shane McGuigan (0-6, 5f), Danny Tallon (0-8, 3f), Ruairi McElwee.

Subs: Tiarnan Flanagan for R McElwee (HT), Barry Grant for P Coney (HT), Eamonn McGill (0-1) for C Mulholland (BC 47), Dean Curran (0-1) for B Grant (58), Paul McNeill for M McEvoy (ET), Keelan Feeney for J Curran (ET).

Armagh: Ryan Kearney, Phelim McArdle, Aidan Rushe, Caolan McConville (0-1), Kieran Higgins, Barry McCambridge, Callum O’Neill (0-1), Ben Creeley, Jack Rafferty, Paul Quinn, Oisin O’Neill (1-5, 2f), Cathal Boylan, Rian O’Neill (0-2, 1f), Jason Duffy, Shea Loye (0-2f).

Subs: Shea Hoey (0-1) for J Rafferty (40), James McAlinden for P McArdle (40), Ryan Owens for P Quinn (48), Tom O’Kane (0-2) for S Loye (48), Fergus Quinn for J McAlinden (BC 53), Stephen Morris (0-1) for C Boylan (61), Jarlath Óg Burns for B Creely (69), Miceal McNamee for J Duffy (72).

Ref: Niall Cullen (Fermanagh)

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