Derry Minors battle back to pick up a thrilling win over Kerry!
Derry come from three points down to book their All-Ireland final spot
Derry 1-13
Kerry 1-12
Derry came from three points down to book their All-Ireland final spot in a pulsating finished in Mullingar.
The Ulster champions made hard work for themselves after passing up four further goal chances.
It was their composure and the impact of Cody Rocks and Caomhan McNally that dragged Derry back into the mix.
Kerry won the toss and played with the breeze getting the first score, a fisted effort from Michael Horgan.
Derry had their first goal chance when skipper Sargent was denied by ‘keeper Robak.
The Kerry net was then bulging in the sixth minute when a Luke Grant attacked ended with Dylan Rocks hammering to the net.
Kerry’s response when Eoin O’Flaherty flicked a floated Seán Ó Cuinn ball over McCloy to the net.
The sides were level before three Gearoid White frees in a row saw Kerry push four clear before another Derry goal chance late in the half. Biggs and Sargent were both denied with Sargent drilling over a 45 but Kerry led 1-7 to 1-4 at the break.
Eamon Young (2) and Ger Dillon had Derry level early in the second half before the Kingdom took another grip of the game.
Goalkeeper Robak made a fine save from Dylan Rocks looked like Derry were going to struggle.
It was Derry’s control of the middle third that steered them into a winning position with Sargent and Young hitting four points apiece.
Derry: J McCloy; P O’Kane, R Canavan, P Haran; L Grant (0-1), C Ó Mianáin, D McGuckin (0-1); T McHugh, C McBride; E Young (0-4, 2f), J Sargent (0-4, 2f,1 45), C Hargan; G Dillon (0-2, 1f), R Biggs, D Rocks (1-0)
Subs: C Rocks (0-1) for Biggs (36), C McNally for Haran (38),
Yellow card: P Haran (4)
Kerry: K Robak; F Ryan, M Lynch, R Donovan; S Ó Cuinn, A Ó Beaglaoich (0-1), G O’Keeffe; B Murphy (0-1), E O’Flaherty (1-1); G White (0-5, 4f), J McCarthy (0-1f), É Murphy (0-1), J Joy (0-1), R Carroll, M Horan (0-1)
Subs: R O’Driscoll for Carroll (44), C Mac Gearailt for É Murphy (52), D Sargent for Ryan (54), D O’Sullivan for Ó Cuinn (59),
Black card: R Donovan (63)
Yellow card: M Horan (35),
Referee: Alan Coyle (Westmeath)