O’Brien goals help Derry to victory

TWO well taken goals by 16 year old Loup player Terence O’Brien paved the way for Derry’s first minor championship win in four seasons. Donegal managed by former Dungiven player Stephen Friel had knocked out the holders Cavan a week earlier in the preliminary round and they went into this game at Omagh as firm favourites.

Derry were fit and well organised against a very defensive Donegal but an early goal by O’Brien gave Derry the momentum to lea at the interval by 1-6 to 0-4. A late Donegal penalty converted by Ryan McHugh closed the gap but Derry never looked like relinquishing their lead. They will play the winners of the Armagh v Tyrone game in the Ulster semi final. Tyrone who have already beaten Derry twice this year in the league are hot favourites for the Ulster title.

Another goal by the corner forward left Derry in the comfort zone leading by 2-8 to 0-6

Derry: Christopher Bradley; Declan Brown, Michael Sweeney, Gary Doyle; Gareth McKinless, Conor Carville, James Kearney; Conor McAtamney, Peter Cassidy (0-02); Ciaran McFaul, Ryan Moore (0-02, 0-01f), Ryan McDonnell (0-01); Gerald Bradley (0-02), Ryan Bell (0-01), Terence O’Brien (2-01, 0-01 45’)

Subs: Conor Gallagher for Doyle (19), Ryan Dougan for Moore (38), Neill McNicholl for Kearney (58), Danny Tallon for Carville (61)

Donegal: Daniel Mullarkey; Gary Kelly, Conor Parke, John Rose; Ryan McHugh (1-02, 1-00pen, 0-01f), Mark Gallagher, Dara Mulgrew; Brendan McNelis, Raymond McNamee; Conor Harkin (0-02, 0-01f), John McGarvey (0-02), Aiden McGinley; Stephen McBrearty, Willie Gillespie, Eoin McHugh

Subs: Hugh McFadden (0-01) for McGinley (HT), Oisin Carr for Rose (41), Cathal McGettigan for McGarvey (51), Callum Gallagher for Gillespie (51)