Derry Deserve Derby Win

Saturday 31.01.2026

County

Tyrone 1-12 1-15 Derry

Derry secured their first victory in the national league in over a year and in so doing  gave Ciaran Meenagh victory as he returned to Celtic Park as manager. The result also dentied Tyrone’s hopes of a quick return to the top division.

Tyrone were well placed at the interval, They led 1-8 to 1-7 with Ciaran Daly finishing to the net after alert thinking from Ethan Jordan who went short with a quick free, in the 33rd minute. Daly’s goal cancelled out a goal from Conor Glass, the Glen midfielder bursting through the Tyrone defence in the 28th minute, to unleash an unstoppable shot.

Derry had made a bright start with Lachlan Murray and Conor Doherty on target in as many minutes. Mattie Donnelly got Tyrone up and running. A converted 45 from Ethan Jordan and a point from Ben Cullen levelled the game on twenty minutes. Niall Loughlin edged Derry back in front before an excellent two pointer from Conor O’Neill gave Tyrone the lead for the first time. Darragh Canavan doubled the advantage before Glass found the net. In a hectic closing to the half Murray picked up a black card and Morgan producing a super save to deny Glass a second major.

Tyrone failed to build on their numerical advantage at the commencement of the half as McGuigan levelled. A two point score from Michael McKernan put the visitors back in front but Derry pressed for goals Brian Kennedy blocked Murray’s shot and Paul Cassidy’s shot was narrowly wide. Conor Doherty levelled as the game entered its final quarter.

The Tyrone defence were making vital interceptions Joey Clarke and Ronan Cassidy producing big turnovers.

Eoin McElholm had Tyrone in front before Brendan Rogers restored Derry lead raising an orange flag. A fourth Ethan Jordan free levelled but Tyrone failed to score again in the concluding fourteen minutes. A brace of points from Shane McGuigan and a point from Conor McAteer secured victory for Derry as Tyrone rued four late wides. Mattie Og McGleenan had a late shot blocked by McGrogan as Derry held on for a deserved victory.