ULSTER MHC/Final Derry 0-12 Tyrone 0-11: A point by Barry McGoldrick a minute into injury-time saw Derry dramatically dethrone the reigning Ulster and All-Ireland minor champions in Clones yesterday.
Tyrone will be bitterly disappointed - and rightly so - with this result as they looked to be on their way to victory when they led by four points entering the final 10 minutes of normal time.
In truth, the champions had been in control of this game for long spells, finishing the first half strongly and holding the edge during a very competitive third quarter at the end of which they led by three points.
Both sides had been impressive in their respective semi-final victories just a week previous, but overall they failed to reproduce that scintillating form in a close-marking affair that saw too many stoppages in play and lacked the continuity that both sides were capable of.
Derry were first off the mark with a point by Mark Lynch in the second minute and generally they dictated play in the opening quarter with Rory Convery in mid-field giving them a foothold in that vital sector.
In the second quarter, however, Tyrone - whose ability to close down the opposition quickly was a feature of their play - gradually clawed their way back into the game and levelled the scores at 0-4 each on 28 minutes, with an excellent strike from influential midfielder Colm Donnelly.
In injury-time Donnelly also played a part in the build-up for Patrick Early to give them a slender half-time lead - 0-5 to 0-4 - when he finished well at the end of a good counter-attack.
On the resumption, Tyrone picked up where they had left off, with two quick points from Gary Reilly and Patrick Early putting them further in front.
By the end of the third quarter, however, Derry had come right back into the game with points from James Bateson and top scorer Barry McGoldrick, whose accuracy from frees helped keep Derry in touch throughout.
Tyrone's response was swift and positive, centre back Joe Ball breaking through for a good point in the 16th minute and Colm Doris restoring their three-point lead a minute later, again at the end of a counter-attack.
Derry pulled back a point through Barry McGoldrick, but any time Derry threatened, Tyrone seemed to have the capacity to respond immediately.
And they did so with two good points in the 19th and 21st minutes from Colm Donnelly and Colm Doris to go four points in front for the first time in the game.
But Derry fashioned a dramatic fightback that saw them hit five points without reply in the final seven minutes to snatch the title from under Tyrone noses.
Barry McGoldrick started the late rush, Patsy Bradley and Ciarán Mullen also got in on the act and substitute Alan Cassidy, with practically his first touch, levelled the scores just on the hour.
On the trend of the game up to that stage, both sides would probably have settled for a draw, but Derry produced one last attack that saw them awarded a free.
The ever-reliable Barry McGoldrick produced the goods at the vital time to bring the Ulster minor championship back to Derry.
DERRY: E McNicholl; M McGoldrick, G O'Kane, J Keenan; N Mullan, C McCallion, P O'Hea; P Bradley (0-1), R Convery (0-1); B McGoldrick (0-5), C O'Kane, M Lynch (0-1); J Bateson (0-1), P Young, C Mullan (0-2). Subs: R Murray for N Mullan; A Cassidy (0-1) for C O'Kane.
TYRONE: C Green; D Carlin, P Armour, M McStravog; R O'Neill, J Ball (0-1), P O'Kane; M McCreesh, C Donnelly (0-3); P Early (0-3), D Meenan (0-1), C Doris (0-2); J McCarroll, M Hughes, G Reilly (0-1). Subs: D McDermott for J McCarroll; M Cunningham for M Hughes.
Referee: J Murray (Antrim).
