Derry 0-21
Armagh 1-15
THEY WERE PEGGED back in normal time but Derry got the job done against Armagh in extra-time in tonight’s semi-final clash in Celtic Park to seal a first EirGrid Ulster U21 final place in nine years.
Derry finished strongly in extra-time to run out victors by three points with Glen’s Danny Tallon and Slaughtneil’s Shane McGuigan hitting a combined total of 0-14 for the Oak Leaf County.
They’ll now face Donegal in Monday night’s final where they will attempt to land the county’s first provincial title at this level since 1997.
A brilliant injury-time free from Tallon edged Derry ahead 0-14 to 1-10 at the end of normal time but Armagh centre-forward Oisin O’Neill rescued them with a late equaliser to send the game into extra-time.
It was O’Neill who struck the only goal of the game, the St Mary’s Sigerson Cup winner hitting the net in the first half to send Armagh into a 1-6 to 0-8 interval lead.
Derry recovered in the second half to stay in touch in a tightly contested match. Peter Hagan, Tallon and McGuigan helped Derry go ahead 0-17 to 1-12 at the midway mark of extra-time.
But a brace of points from Thomas O’Kane brought Armagh back into it as they trailed Derry 0-18 to 1-14 by the 75th minute. However Derry finished strongly with Tallon, Hagan and Eamonn McGill all grabbing points.
Scorers for Derry: Danny Tallon 0-8 (0-4f), Shane McGuigan 0-6 (0-5f), Peter Hagan 0-3, Patrick Kearney 0-2, Dean Curran, Eamonn McGill 0-1.
Scorers for Armagh: Oisin O’Neill 1-5 (0-3f), Rian O’Neill (0-1f), Thomas O’Kane, Shea Loye 0-2 each Caolan McConville, Shea Hoey, Callum O’Neill, Steven Morris 0-1 each.
The42 is on Instagram! Tap the button below on your phone to follow us!
