Dramatic win for Tyrone minors

May 30, 2003
The replay of the Ulster MFC first-round between Derry (holders) and Tyrone in Casement Park, Belfast on Wednesday 28th May ended in dramatic circumstances with Tyrone getting a late, late goal in the dying seconds of the game and ending Derry's hopes of defending their Ulster and All-Ireland titles this season. The final score as 2-7 to 0-12 in favour of the Tyrone side. And it was the Errigal Ciaran clubman, Damian McDermott who emerged as the hero of this stunning victory. As well as scoring what proved the winning goal, he was the inspirational figure in the winners attack ending the game with a personal tally of 2-6 of the winners total of 2-7, and he was always proving a real handful for the Derry defence. It was the challengers Tyrone who started this game in impressive fashion and within two minutes were ahead by two points - both from McDermott. However, Derry soon settled and three points from Barry McGoldrick (2) and Barry Murphy left them ahead on the 12th minute. Exchanges were fairly even until the break when the sides went into the dressing-room at the interval with Derry ahead by a one point margin 0-7 to 1-3 - the Tyrone goal coming from McDermott. Derry upped the pace of their game at the start of the second-half, and after ten minutes play they were ahead by 0-11 to 1-3, and seemed to be well in command. It was then that Tyrone and Damien McDermott came to the fore with pointed free kicks in the 54th and 57th minutes and Derry's only reply was a fisted effort from Barry Murphy. In the closing minutes of the match, Tyrone went all out for a win and threw caution to the wind. They had points in the 62nd and 64th minutes from McDermott - a one-man scoring machine - before that dramatic winning goal that ended Derry's aspirations of championship glory this season. This was a very well contested game between two talented sides, and as the scoreline suggests there was very little between them at the finish. You could say the inspirational Damien McDermott was the real difference in the end, and on this performance it looks like Tyrone football have another outstanding player in the making in the Errigal Ciaran youngster. Tyrone can now look forward to an Ulster M.F.C. semi-final clash in two weeks time in Casement Park, Belfast, while for Derry their season is over, but if it is any consolation they gave it a real shot, and were defeated by an inspired Tyrone side on the night. Tyrone - D. Tierney; B. Boggs, K. Hackett, D. Kelly; D. Burke, P. Marlowe, M. Murray; D. Meenan, M. Cunningham; P. Early, R. Mulgrew, E. Laverty; R. Gallen 0-1, M. Murphy, Damien McDermott 2-6, 1-3 from frees). Subs: B. Hughes for Mulgrew; D. McCaughey for Cunningham and R. McGuirk for Burke. Derry - E. McNicholl; J. O'Kane, J. Keenan, P. O'Connell; M. Drumm, M. Lynch, M. McIver; C. McCallion, J. Bradley 0-1; A. McCartney, C. O'Kane 0-1, Barry McGoldrick 0-4, 0-3 from frees, and 0-1 from a sideline kick; C. Devlin 0-4, 0-3 frees, B. Mullan, B. Murphy 0-2. Subs: J. Nelson for McGoldrick; S. Brady for Bradley. Referee: C. Broderick (Down).

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