DONEGAL are the new Ulster minor football champions following their narrow victory over holders Derry in last night's Ulster final replay at Omagh.

The winners left it late before producing a glimpse of the form they displayed earlier in the season, and a vast improvement will be required for their All Ireland semi final against Laois.

A crowd of 4,000 watched Donegal fail to capitalise on first half wind advantage, when atrocious shooting saw a succession of glorious chances go abegging.

And they were punished after nine minutes when Eoin Farren took a Seamus Kearney pass to drill a low shot to the net.

For much of the second half, playing into the wind and with a one point deficit, the prospects for Donegal looked bleak.

But they rediscovered the sparkling form which had seen them sweep all before them on the way to the final. Points from David McGinley, Gerard Cannon, Aodh Brennan and Rory Sweeney turned the tide, and Derry's challenge faded dramatically.