Derry power to minor title in final against Monaghan

Derry swept to a fifth All-Ireland Minor Football Championship title with victory over Monaghan at the Box-It Athletic Grounds, playing out the final 20 minutes with 14 players and resisting their opponents' revival.

In front of a crowd of 13,754, the first ever all-Ulster decider was dominated by the Oak Leafers as they got the better of their northern rivals for the fourth time this season.

Monaghan, making a first appearance in the final since 1939, trailed from an early stage. Even when Derry had wing-back Cahir Spiers dismissed on a straight red card on 40 minutes, they were unable to break free of their opponents’ stranglehold.

Johnny McGuckin and Conall Higgins led the Derry attack with menace and penetration, while Tommy Rogers, Cahal McKaigue and James Sargent gave them power and thrust around the middle.

McGuckin’s darting runs were a constant threat to Monaghan right from the opening moments, when he sent Higgins in for a shot at goal that went narrowly wide.

Playing into the wind, Derry held the ball and carried with power through the middle, easing ahead through Higgins and Ger Dillon.

The Farney lads struggled to break free of the tenacious tackling of Fionn McEldowney and Finbar Murray, and a number of turnovers saw attacks break down

Max McGinnity and Matthew Finn hit back with Monaghan scores, but by the 17th minute they trailed by 0-06 to 0-02, thanks to Ger Dillon’s accuracy from frees.

Sargent charged through the middle to fire in a shot which was superbly saved by Jamie Mooney, but Monaghan recovered their composure to narrow the gap to just two at the break as Finn thumped a 52-metre free between the posts to make it 0-08 to 0-06.

Higgins delighted the Oak Leaf followers with a cheeky dummy and stylish