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Tyrone Minors Claim Ulster title
Friday 29.05.2026
Tyrone 2-16 Derry 1-12
A blistering second half performance saw Tyrone deservedly retain their Ulster Minor Championship title at the expense of Derry at a superb O’Donnell Park.
The Oak Leak County led by two points at the break but in the second half the holders assumed complete control. They dominated.possession and would have won by a greater margin but for the heriocs of Derry netminder Michael Doherty who pulled off 4 breathtaking saves in a four minute spell. Tyrone though kept the pressure on and their second goal ended the game as a contest. The win was built on a brilliant defence that limited their opponents to only five points in the second period with all but one of those coming from frees.
It was Derry who led by two points at the break in a first half that saw Tyrone hit seven wides to their opponents three. Derry enjoyed a dream start after only three minutes when a mistake in the Tyrone defence allowed midfielder Conor O’Kane to finish to the net from close range.
Matthew F Daly opened Tyrone’s account in the 5th minute but it was Derry who looked the better side with Tomas Devlin and Don Mulholland tagging on points. Charlie Meenan and Devlin exchanged points before they struck for a well worked 14th minute goal. Great work from centre half forward Brian Og McGuckin saw him cut in along the right sideline before crossing the ball for the inrushing Conan Canavan to palm to the net at the back post.
Derry responded with a two point free from Neil McDermott but that was cancelled out by a similar effort from Canavan before man of the match Aodhan Corry cut in from the left wing to level matters. Derry though finished the half with points from McDermott and Don Mulholland to.lead 1-7 to 1-5 at the break.
A two pointer from wing half back Matthew J Daly levelled matters in the 33rd minute and when Tyrone gained possession from the next kickout Logan O’Connor put them in front for the first time for an advantage that they were never relinquished. Charlie Meenan then boomed over a 2 pointer before Ruairi O’Neill split the posts after Doherty had made an excellent double save to thwart Canavan and Vincent Gormley.
Doherty then saved from Corry and Canavan with the latter converting a 45 after the stop. McGuckin and Rocco Devlin traded points before Tyrone put the game to bed when Tomas Gallen, Matthew F Daly and McGuckin combined for the latter to unselfishly square the ball for Logan O’Connor to palm in.
McDermott and Canavan swapped points before wing half back Conor Fyffe fisted a score. Matthew F Daly had Tyrone’s last score and while Pol McPeake had the final say from a two point free it was Tyrone who emerged worthy winners. Both sides are back in action next weekend in the All Ireland quarter finals with Tyrone playing Galway and Derry taking on Roscommon.
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