Derry have qualified for this year's Ulster MFC decider following a hard-earned 1-17 to 0-14 extra-time victory over Armagh in Clones today.

The Oak Leafers outscored their opponents by eight points to two in extra-time after the sides had finished level - Derry 1-9, Armagh 0-12 - at the end of the regulation period.

It was the culmination of a spirited comeback by Derry as they trailed by 0-3 to 0-7 at the halfway stage.

The Orchard County extended their advantage from a converted '45' shortly after the resumption but Derry's chances received a significant boost when Patrick Coney found the back of the Armagh net.

Fergal Higgins got Derry back on level terms with six minutes of normal time left and, with the game very much in the melting pot, Caolan Devlin then edged them in front.

But to their credit, Armagh equalised with the last kick of the game to force extra-time.

As events transpired, a Devlin free placed Derry in the driving seat once again and it was a sign of things to come as they pushed on to record a six point victory.

Derry - B McKinless; C McCluskey, G McLaughlin, C Doherty; P McGrogan, E Concannon, S McErlain; P Coney (1-1), O McWilliams; L Kielt, L McWilliams, P Quigg (0-2); S Downey, F Higgins (0-4, 1f), E Bradley (0-2). Subs: S Higgins (0-1) for L Kielt, C Devlin (0-7) for L McWilliams, J P Devlin for O McWilliams, A Bradley for E Concannon, B Cassidy for E Bradley, O McKeever for S McErlain, O Hartin for B McKinless (BC).

Armagh - M Nugent; J McAlinden, B McCambridge, D Loye; C McGeary (0-1), C O'Neill, R Owens (0-3); C O'Neill, E McDonnell (0-1); R McQuillan, R O'Neill (0-4f), C McConville (0-1); J Duffy (0-3), S Loye (0-1), R McSherry. Subs: M Girvan for E McDonnell, K McAlinden for S Loye, E McCabe for C O'Neill, F Mackin for J McAlinden.

Referee - N Cullen.

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