Tyrone Upset the Odds in Owenbeg

Wednesday 23.04.2025

County

Dalata Hotels Ulster U20 Championship Semi Final
Derry 0-19 Tyrone 3-12

Three second half goals from the reigning All Ireland champions Tyrone was enough to defeat red hot favourites Derry in a pulsating Ulster Under 20 semi-final.

A decent crowd gathered in Owenbeg as Tyrone faced an unbeaten Derry who started the game without key players James Sargent and Fionn McEldowney. The towering Tommy Rogers, who was influential in the opening half, confidently struck the first point in the opening attack. Tyrone settled early to the task, reeling off the next three scores from the lively Eoin McElholm, Matthew Quinn, and Liam Og Mossey. Oisin Doherty’s free and a point from Derry’s best player Eamon Young levelled the game with eleven minutes played.

Derry were having greater success securing their restarts as Tyrone toiled against a zonal press from the home side. Eamonn Young and Eoin McElholm both kicked their second points of the evening before Conor O’Neill edged Tyrone ahead at the end of a competitive opening quarter.

Sean Young levelled the game before Derry hit a further four unanswered points to ask questions of their opponents, Conor McAneney also denied Johnny McGuckian as Derry enjoyed a purple patch. Crucially, Ruairi McCullagh stepped up with a free before he elected to kick a free from outside the arc to leave the minimum between the sides at the break.

Tyrone started the second half in the best possible manner. Conan Devlin raced through the centre to receive Matthew Quinn’s pass. Keeper Campbell blocked his initial effort, but Devlin bundled home the rebound. From the restart, McAneney made a good save to prevent Sean Young, hitting the net. Tyrone looked more composed, but Derry were still a threat, and Eamon Young’s fourth point levelled the game with just under twenty minutes remaining.

The hard-working Conall Sheehy put Tyrone in front before Callum Daly, who had an excellent hour as sweeper, passed to Ben Hughes in a rare visit upfield, who in turn picked out Noah Grimes. Grimes saw his other clubman Conor O’Neill free, and the stylish midfielder drove to the net. Caolan Donnelly, who had a super game nullifying McGuckian, got on the scoresheet as Derry looked rattled.

Tyrone were punished for a breach of the 3 man up rule, as Ger Dillon kicked a two pointer with five minutes left, but Donnelly responded again. Derry pushed forward, but again, McAneney denied Young.

In the final minute Tyrone broke at pace before a long ball reached McElholm. He produced a moment of individual brilliance to throw a super dummy and then slot home goal number three.

Seven points separated the sides with five added minutes to play, Derry did kick late scores from Young. Higgins and McGrogan, but this was Tyrone’s night.

On a night when half backs and half forwards were really effective, Tyrone fully deserved their victory and a place in the Ulster final against Donegal, back in Owenbeg next Wednesday night.