Tyrone captured the Ulster Minor football league title after a five point victory over Derry in a tense collision at Clones on Saturday afternoon.

Tyrone 1-10
Derry 0-8

The young Red Hands came into the game with the favourites tag but it was Derry who got the best of starts. The Oak leafers raced into a three point lead before Tyrone got on the 'board courtesy of Sean Hackett.

A well taken goal from the impressive Ruari Sludden approaching half time gave Tyrone the lead for the first time but late scores from Ryan Bell and Terence O'Brien made sure the sides were level at the break - 1-2 to 0-5.

Less than a minute into injury time of the first half, Tyrone were dealt a blow when their midfielder Sean Molloy was dismissed for a second yellow card. Referee Niall Molloy issued a whopping 16 yellow and five red cards over the hour. This may indicate it was a poor game but infact both sides served up a superb spectacle for minor football.

A Ciaran McFaul effort after the resumption nudged Derry back in front but two scores from the inform Hackett soon had Tyrone in command. 1-4 to 0-6.

Derry fought back with the help of a James Keaney point but Tyrone extended their lead with Hackett, Kieran McGeary and substitute Rory Brennan all making a contribution to the scoreboard.

Diarmuid Carroll put four between them before Derry pointed for a final time in the game through McFaul.

McFaul, along with teammate Gareth McKinless received their marching orders late on. Tyrone also had two players dimissed in the closing stages, Padraig Hampsey and McGeary.

A point each from wing forward Sludden and substitute Daniel McNulty ensured league success for the Red Hands.

Tyrone - D Martin; R Mullan, P Hampsey, C Harvey; C Mallon, C Corr, P Mc Kenna; D Carroll (0-1), S Molloy; K Mc Geary (0-1f), C O' Neill, R Sludden (1-1); D Kavanagh, S Hackett (0-4, 2f), M Cassidy. Subs - R Brennan for C Corr, D Mc Nulty (0-2) for D Kavanagh, A Devlin for C O'Neill.

Derry - C Bradley; C Gallagher, R Mc Donnell, G Doyle; G Mc Kinless, C Mc Atamney, C Carville; R Dougan (0-1), P Cassidy; G Bradley, R Bell (0-1), J Kearney (0-1); C McFaul (0-3), T O'Brien (0-2), D Tallon. Subs - L Mc Goldrick for C Mc Atamney, R Moore for D Tallon.

Referee - N Cullen (Fermanagh) Tweet

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