Derry finish strong against Tyrone to be crowned final 2B champions

Derry finally found a way to shake off Tyrone's feisty challenge and claim the Allianz League Division 2B title at Owenbeg.

Going into the final ten minutes, the sides were level, but the Oak Leafers pulled away, and a 1-04 salvo saw off their Ulster neighbours.

Both sides had already secured promotion to the restructured Division 2 for 2025, but it’s Derry who go up with the silverware and the prestige of a national title.

They went into the game as firm favourites, but struggled for long spells to shake off a determined opponent.

It was substitute Sean Kelly who grabbed the goal that finally put daylight between the sides, and Derry defended their lead with tenacity.

Wind-assisted Derry got off to a strong start, easing into a three-point lead, with Darragh McGilligan hitting the pick of their scores, but their momentum was halted by the tenacity of a Tyrone side that battled for every ball and put their opponents under immense pressure.

Aidy Kelly steered over a couple of frees, and saw another go straight to the net, but that score was ruled out for a square ball infringement.

The Red Hands did grab a goal in the 19th minute, Kelly sending Rory Weir in to finish low past Oisin O’Doherty to give his side the lead.

Cormac O’Doherty brought the sides level with his third free, but was off target with a host of attempts as the Oak Leafers saw waves of pressure come to nothing.

Lorcan Devlin pushed Tyrone two ahead, but scores from Cathal Murray and Ruairi O Mianain, taking over the free-taking duties, brought Derry level, 0-07 to 1-04 at the break.

Kelly added another couple of frees as the Red Hands stuck close to the pre-match favourites, with O Mianain and Corey O’Reilly on target for the Oak Leafs, but James McCann had Tyrone