Derry edge Armagh to retain All-Ireland minor title

Derry retained the All-Ireland MFC title with a three-point win over Armagh at O'Neills Healy Park, coming from behind with a killer goal ten minutes from the end.

It was the second successive all-Ulster decider, and a repeat of this year’s Ulster final, which the Oak Leafers won by two points, and this time they weathered a number of storms on their way to the county’s seventh title, and a third in the last five seasons.

Goals from skipper and man of the match James Sargent and Cody Rocks sealed the deal for the Derry as they made a home in the Sperrins for the Tom Markham Cup for another year.

The holders reeled off three points inside the opening four minutes, to take an early lead through Ger Dillon, Eamon Young and Dylan Rocks, with Ross Marsden getting the Orchard off the mark

Defensive systems were addressed on both sides as the game became more dogged, space at a premium for the creative players and even more sparse for the finishers.

Although playing into the wind and rain, Armagh dominated possession in the opening quarter, closing the gap with a Diarmuid O’Rourke free, and it was Fionn Toale who brought them level in the 20th minute, biding his time as his team-mates worked patiently to find the openings on a greasy Omagh surface.

But in the 24th minute, Derry struck for a goal, skipper James Sargent blasting a penalty to the roof of the net after Luke Grant was fouled going through.

The challengers responded in emphatic fashion, scoring the last three points of the half to go level.

Full back Gavin O’Rourke landed a long range effort, before Eoin Duffy tapped over a free.

A turnover deep in their own half created a goal chance as Keelan McEntee an Ross Marsden broke at speed, but full back Ronan Canavan stepped in to