Tyrone Retain U20 Title With Gutsy Display

Thursday 01.05.2025

County

Ulster Under 20 Final

Tyrone 1-19 2-14 Donegal (aet)

Reigning All Ireland champions Tyrone have reached the last four of the competition again edging Donegal in Owenbeg after a superb contest.

A low scoring first half, with both defences mirroring each other, sitting deep in a defensive block meant scores were at a premium in a cagey, tactical opening period. Tyrone led  5-4 at the break but were also guilty of eight first half wides and failed to make use of the wind advantage.

The second half burst into life when Shane Callaghan’s two pointer split the posts after a couple of minutes, having just entered the game at the restart. Conor McCahill also pinged a two pointer minutes later, and for the first time, a three point gap emerged in Donegal’s favour, with 34 minutes played.

Tyrone’s response was instant, Liam Og Mossey’s shot for a point rebounded back into play off the upright with captain Joey Clarke accepting the gift to calmly finish to the net. Ruairi McCullagh’s third of the match put holders back in front before Conall Sheehy doubled the advantage as the game began to open up. Donegal captain Sean Martin drove a point to half the deficit to complete the third quarter.

Tyrone were content to hold the ball for long periods of the second half but failed to trouble the scoresheet as Donegal defended rigidly. A Noah Grimes free kick dropped short and Donegal struck for their first major after Kevin Muldoon’s mazey run before picking out Cathal O Gallchoir, for the corner back to fire home, with just ten minutes remaining. Tyrone didn’t panic however and Ruairi McCullagh was again excellent from placed ball as points from on him the 53rd and 55th minutes tied the game.

Once again, Tyrone seized the initiative and secured the kick out but held the ball in enemy territory, as Donegal refused to engage, content to let Tyrone play keep ball from a safe distance. Tyrone almost basketball like allowed the time to nearly run out before the final opportunity fell to Conor O’Neill but his attempted winner drifted narrowly wide. Referee Kevin Faloon called a halt to proceedings with the game level at 1-9 a piece.

A refreshed Tyrone ultimately won the prize in the opening five minutes of extra time. A McCullagh free, was followed by 3 two pointer in quick succession from Eoin McElholm, McCullagh and McDermott as Tyrone went seven clear with five remaining.

Despite playing their best football, Tyrone were pegged back once again, with points from Callaghan and McCahill before danger man Senan Carr, who had been well marshalled all evening smashed to the net in the final minute. Crucially Conall Sheehy grabbed a super point on the half time whistle to leave four between them.

The second period began and Donegal pressed forward but the hard working McElholm got the first point. Senan Carr and Callaghan were again on target to reduce the lead to three. The conclusion of the game was chaotic both sides claimed a breach to the three up rule, but it was waived aaay before Donegal were found guilty again of another breach and McCullagh brought his tally to 0-9, as he tapped over in injury time.

Donegal poured forward and an outstanding save from Conan McGarvey denied them in the second of two allocated minutes.

Tyrone reversing an early defeat to Donegal in the group stages and winning when it mattered most. A delighted Tyrone doing back to back Ulster titles and setting up a meeting with last year’s beaten finalists Kerry on Saturday week.