Brilliant Derry Minors into All-Ireland final after victory over Dublin

Derry 3-11

Dublin 1-8

Derry minors’ continued their championship odyssey on Sunday night in Armagh as they saw off Dublin to book their place in a first All-Ireland final in three seasons.

Damian McErlain’s side lost the Ulster league final to a late Donegal goal and after winning a 16th Ulster championship crown, they are now one step away from a sixth All-Ireland title. 

Next month’s decider will be an all-Ulster encounter after Monaghan’s win over Kerry in Saturday’s semi-final earned the Farney a first final spot in 84 years.

It was a frantic opening half that produced five goal chances with Dublin carving open three of them.

Lenny Cahill tapped over free for the Leinster champions in the first minute before Eamon Young hit Derry’s opening score before three Dillon frees helped the oaks into a 0-6 0-3 lead.

Mitchell replayed for Dublin before Rogers lofted ever a beauty and Derry were 0-7 to 0-4 to the good at the break.

Derry had to made a substitution at half time with Karl Campbell coming in after ‘keeper Jack McCloy was shown a red card before the ball was thrown-in.

Within six minutes Dublin were level with a goal from substitute Shane Mullarkey fisted to the net after a Paddy Curry pass.

Derry found their feet and drove on and were back in front when James Sargent slotted home a 52nd minute penalty.

Dillon and Johnny McGuckian added points as Derry turned the screw and with 10 minutes to go Luke Grant added a second goal before Chair Spiers lobbed the keeper to put the icing on the cake.

Derry: Jack McCloy; Fionn McEldowney, Finbar Murray, Luke Grant (1-0); Cahir Spiers (1-0), James Sargent (1-1, 1 pen, 1 45), Odhran Campbell; Cahal McKaigue, Tommy Rogers (0-1); Eamon Young (0-3), Ger Dillon (0-5f), Johnny McGuckian; Rory Small, John Boyle, Oisín Doherty (0-1)
Subs:  Karl Campbell for J Boyle (HT), Deaglán McNamee for O Doherty (59), Kevin KB Mullan for J McGuckian (63)

Yellow cards: J McGuckian (33), F McEldowney (51)
Red card: J McCloy (31)

Dublin: Cillian Murray; Seán Keogh, Cillian Emmett, Jack O’Sullivan; Joshua Young, Eoghan Costello, Ryan Mitchell (0-2); Senan Ryan, Alex Carolan; Patrick Coleman, Luke O’Boyle (0-1 45), Noah Byrne (0-1); Paddy Curry, Harry Curley, Lenny Cahill (0-4f)

Subs: Andrew O’Reilly for P Coleman (30), Shane Mullarkey (1-0) for S Ryan (66), Ciarán O’Connor for J Young (50), Colin McAweeney for H Curley (53), Ben Kennedy for J O’Sullivan (54)

Yellow cards: R Mitchell (29), S Mullarkey (39), A Carolan (39), S Keogh (46)

Referee: Sean Laverty (Antrim)