All-Ireland MFC final: Derry 2-7 Armagh 0-10
Derry retained the Tom Markham Cup as they clinched a third All-Ireland Minor title in five seasons with a three-point victory over Armagh at O’Neills Healy Park on Sunday.
The Oak Leafers defeated the Orchard County at the Omagh venue in the Ulster final back in May and two points separated the sides on that occasion.
Armagh, who also lost to Derry by 17 points in the group stages of Ulster earlier in the campaign, were arguably the better team in the first half, but were left to rue a series of missed goal chances as a penalty from James Sargent and a second half goal from Cody Rocks settled the game in Derry’s favour.
The opening minutes hinted at something of a shootout between the sides as Ger Dillon’s opening point was quickly cancelled out by Ross Marsden.
Derry replied with back-to-back scores via Eamon Young and Dylan Rocks after just four minutes.
However, the game settled down to a slower pace and that seemed to suit Armagh and they had a few goal chances.
Fionn Toale’s pass to Marsden was overhit and the same duo linked up moments later with Marsden unable to chip the ball up on the wet surface.
The game’s opening goal was against the run of play as Derry were awarded a contentious penalty with a foul on Luke Grant continuing inside the 13-metre line.
Sargent smashed the penalty high into the roof of Michael Finnegan’s net to put Derry three clear.
Armagh fought back to level the game with points from Gavin O’Rourke, Eoin Duffy (free) and a 45 from Finnegan on the cusp of half-time.
The score from the Armagh ’keeper came after Ronan Canavan cleared the danger after Duffy was put through on goal by Marsden, but Armagh couldn’t capitalise.
Derry’s goal continued to live a charmed life on the restart as Caoimhin Hargan made a great block to deny Marsden with Finnegan converting his second 45 to give Armagh the lead for the first time in the game.
Dillon replied for Derry, but back-to-back points from O’Rourke (free) and substitute Aaro Garvey gave the Orchard County a two-point cushion with 42 minutes played.
With their grip on the Tom Markham Cup slipping, Derry’s captain took the game by the scruff of the neck.
Sargent played a neat one-two with Dillon to fire over a classy point from play before setting up Luke Grant for the equaliser.
When Eamon Young showed Fionn Toale a clean pair to heels before firing over his second point, Derry had Armagh on the ropes and they plundered their second major moment later.
Dylan Rocks played a delightful ball across the face of goal and his cousin Cody rose highest at the back post to palm the ball into the Armagh net.
Aidan O’Rourke’s side were probably guilty of trying to force a goal in the final 10 minutes as a free from his son Diarmuid was their sole score in the final quarter as Derry held firm to retain their All-Ireland crown.
DERRY: J McCloy; P O’Kane, R Canavan, P Haran; L Grant 0-1, C Ó Mianáin, D McGuckin; J Sargent 1-1 (1-0 pen), C McBride; E Young 0-2, T McHugh, C Hargan; G Dillon 0-2 (0-1f), C Rocks 1-0, D Rocks 0-1.
Subs: R Collins for Hargan (46), R Biggs for O’Kane (56).
ARMAGH: M Finnegan 0-2 (0-2 45s); T Fox, G O’Rourke 0-1, C Wilson; Fergus Toale, S Woods, D O’Rourke 0-3 (0-3fs); J Loughran, D O’Callaghan; R Marsden 0-1, J McCooe, K McEntee; Fionn Toale 0-1, E Duffy 0-1 (0-1f), S Loughran.
Subs: A Garvey 0-1 for Marsden (37), A McGrane for Fergus Toale (51), O Gribben for Duffy (55) C Agnew for Fionn Toale (55), P Comiskey for D O’Rourke (60).
REFEREE: B Tiernan (Dublin).
Here's a recap of how Sunday's final unfolded. . .
Key Events
Full-time: Armagh 0-10 Derry 2-7
Armagh couldn't get a shot on goal in the closing stages and Derry have held on to retain the All-Ireland Minor title! That's three All-Ireland Minor titles in five years for the Oak Leafers!
Armagh 0-10 Derry 2-7
Derry full-back Ronan Canavan is called for over-carrying. Diarmaid O'Rourke converts to leave three points between the teams with 56 minutes played
Goal! Armagh 0-9 Derry 2-7
Derry have plundered their second goal as Padraig Haran wins the Armagh kickout. Dylan Rocks plays the ball across goal and Cody Rocks is on hand to palm the ball into the net at the back post!
Armagh 0-9 Derry 1-7
Derry are back in the lead after Eamon Young gets away from Fionn Toale and lands a stunning point
Armagh 0-9 Derry 1-6
James Sargent sets up Luke Grant for a fine point and the sides are level once more after 45 minutes
Armagh 0-9 Derry 1-5
Derry bring it back to a one-point game with a carbon-copy of Armagh's last point. James Sargent plays a one-two with Ger Dillon and fires over from the edge of the D
Armagh 0-9 Derry 1-4
Aaron Garvey plays a one-two with Eoin Duffy and slots over a fine point. Armagh lead by two
Armagh 0-8 Derry 1-4
Shea Loughran is fouled and Diarmaid O'Rourke converts from the edge of the D. Armagh lead by one point after 40 minutes
Armagh 0-7 Derry 1-3
Goalkeeper Michael Finnegan converts the 45 and Armagh lead for the first time in the game
Goal chance!
Caoimhin Hargan makes a great block to deny Marsden at the start of the second half. Armagh have a 45 to come
We're back under way in Omagh
The second half gets under way. Armagh will have the wind and the rain has stopped for the time being
First half scorers
Armagh: Ross Marsden 0-1, Fionn Toale 0-1, Eoin Duffy 0-1 (0-1f), Gavin O'Rourke 0-1, Diarmuid O'Rourke 0-1 (0-1f), Michael Finnegan 0-1 (0-1 45).
Derry: James Sargent 1-0 (1-0 pen), Dylan Rocks 0-1, Ger Dillon 0-1, Eamon Young 0-1.
Half-time: Armagh 0-6 Derry 1-3
The sides are level at half-time! Derry's goal came via a penalty from James Sargent, but Armagh have enjoyed the better of the possession in the first half
Armagh 0-6 Derry 1-3
Michael Finnegan converts a 45 after Armagh have another goal chance. Ross Marsden's ball put Eoin Duffy through on goal but Ronan Canavan cleared at the expense of the 45. We're into stoppage-time at the end of the first half. . .
Armagh 0-5 Derry 1-3
Derry's Cathair McBride is called for playing the ball on the ground and Eoin Duffy converts the free
Goal! Armagh 0-3 Derry 1-3
Derry captain James Sargent slams home the penalty - Michael Finnegan didn't have much of a chance of stopping that! Derry lead by three with 24 minutes played
Armagh 0-3 Derry 0-3
Armagh have been the better team for the last 10 minutes and the have finally drawn level with Fionn Toale firing over from play after a good ball from Shea Loughran
Armagh 0-2 Derry 0-3
Diarmuid O'Rourke is fouled as he got his shot away and the Armagh wing-back takes the free himself and converts from 30 metres.
Armagh 0-1 Derry 0-3
We've had four points in as many minutes as Ross Marsden gets Armagh off the mark, but Derry reply with quick points from Eamon Young and Dylan Rocks
Armagh 0-0 Derry 0-1
Ger Dillon opens the scoring for Derr inside the first two minutes. The Oak Leafers have the breeze in the first half
Conditions
It has been a wet morning in Omagh and the forecast for further showers during the day. The breeze will favour the team attacking the Gortin Road end of the ground in the first half
Paths to the final
Paths to the final
Armagh
Ulster MFC
Round one: Armagh 2-9 Antrim 0-2
Round two: Cavan 1-19 Armagh 2-11
Round three: Derry 2-18 Armagh 0-7
Ulster MFC quarter-final
Armagh 1-13 Monaghan 0-6
Ulster MFC semi-final
Donegal 1-7 Armagh 2-8
Ulster MFC final
Armagh 1-7 Derry 0-12
All-Ireland MFC quarter-final
Longford 1-3 Armagh 1-16
All-Ireland MFC semi-final
Armagh 0-16 Mayo 1-6
Derry
Ulster MFC
Round one: Derry 1-8 Cavan 1-5
Round two: Antrim 1-2 Derry 2-24
Round three: Derry 2-18 Armagh 0-7
Ulster MFC semi-final
Derry 2-14 Tyrone 1-10
Ulster MFC final
Armagh 1-7 Derry 0-12
All-Ireland MFC quarter-final
Derry 0-18 Dublin 2-10
All-Ireland MFC semi-final
Derry 1-13 Kerry 1-12
Team news - Armagh
Armagh: Michael Finnegan; Tomás Fox, Gavin O’Rourke, Conall Wilson; Fergus Toale, Sean Woods, Diarmuid O’Rourke; Jack Loughran, Daithi O’Callaghan; Ross Marsden, James McCooe, Keelan McEntee; Fionn Toale, Eoin Duffy, Shea Loughran.
Team news - Derry
— Derry GAA (@Doiregaa) July 6, 2024
The Derry squad for tomorrow’s All Ireland MFC Final. pic.twitter.com/8W0tasbaJS
Managers bemoan final venue
While a big crowd is expected at O’Neills Healy Park this afternoon, both Armagh and Derry feel the game should be taking place at Croke Park.
Speaking to Belfast Live earlier this week, Derry boss Damian McErlain stated: “When you see all the different matches that are taking place at Croke Park, there’s no reason why this couldn’t be played before one of them.
“I think the whole minor Championship is being diluted left, right and centre between no speeches, no Man-of-the-Matches and no interviews. I don’t think anyone is listening - it is falling on deaf ears.
“I don’t think anyone is listening because I don’t see anyone bringing the conversation up.
“I think even without stringing the season out longer, you could have them before the All-Ireland semi-finals.
“You’ve two matches next weekend. You could play the minors at 12 o’clock. At the end of the day, the minors aren’t going to fill Croke Park, but it is a curtain-raiser.
“At the same time, to win an All-Ireland at Croke Park would be something else for the boys. Some of them will never get to play there. Some of the lads will never get to run out at Croke Park after this age group.”
His sentiments were echoed by Armagh Coach Stefan Forker.
“I’ve spoken about my own experiences and the big days I got to enjoy,” said Forker.
“We (Armagh minors) played before the seniors in 2005 and there were 60-65,000 in Croke Park by the end of the match.
“If you’re seeing that as a negative thing as a player then I think you’re not going to go too far and if we are preparing them for senior teams then surely, if they are going to play there in four or five years’ time, it’s a chance for them to learn to deal with that.
“I know there is a problem fixture-wise, but Croke Park could certainly facilitate a final.”
A recap of how the Ulster Final unfolded
Ulster Minor Football Championship final: Derry 0-12 Armagh 1-7
Derry retained the Ulster MFC title, but they were pushed all the way by a gallant Armagh side in a tight, low-scoring provincial final in O’Neills Healy Park.
The Oak Leafers defeated the Orchard by 17 points three weeks prior to the final in Owenbeg. Yet, the early exchanges hinted that Armagh had absorbed the lessons of that heavy defeat.
A well-organised Armagh defence proved very difficult to break down with both teams mirroring each other.
Each time Derry moved ahead, Armagh responded with Eamon Young and Ger Dillon doing the damage for the holders while Eoin Duffy (free) Sean Woods and Keelan Woods on target for the Orchard.
Derry moved 0-4 to 0-3 ahead after Dillon converted a stunning long-range free before Armagh struck for what proved to be the game’s only goal. Ross Marsden’s high delivery was superbly fielded by Jack Loughran, who set up Duffy for a well-taken finish.
Yet, Derry forged their way back into the lead before half-time with Young, Dillon and captain James Sargent landing points.
Armagh were also reduced to 14 players before the break with Marsden shown a black card for a hand trip on Caoimhin Hargan.
Dillon and Young moved Derry into a three-point lead early in the second half before Aaron Garvey ended a 22-minute spell without a score for Armagh.
Derry looked to have done enough to put the game beyond doubt when Dillon and the equally-impressive Lule Grant landed back-to-back points while Michael Finnegan made a stunning save to deny Ruairi Biggs.
Armagh were fortunate to avoid a second black card when Diarmaid O’Rourke hauled Grant to the ground with Barry McMenamin showing the Orchard wing-back a yellow card instead.
Young’s fifth point moved Derry into a four-point lead and Armagh were forced to go for broke in the final few minutes of the game.
They cut the gap to two with back-to-back frees from Duffy and Derry were relieved when the Armagh full-forward played the ball on the ground in the final passage of the game when he was just metres from the Derry goal.
Derry scorers: Eamon Young 0-5 (0-2fs), Ger Dillon 0-5 (0-3fs), Luke Grant 0-1, James Sargent 0-1.
Armagh scorers: Eoin Duffy 1-3 (0-3fs), Keelan McEntee 0-1, Sean Woods 0-1, Aaron Garvey 0-1, Fionn Toale 0-1.
