Derry U20s advance to a final showdown with Tyrone

Donegal 0-14

Derry 1-12

Derry advanced to a final showdown with Tyrone thanks to a late winner from Ryan McNicholl at Ballybofey on Wednesday night.

Donegal were three ahead at the break but Ruairi Forbes and McNicholl drove Derry forward with Oisin Doherty’s 33rd minute goal turning the game.

Donegal where three points ahead before Derry scored with McGlynn, Conor Reid and Conor McGinley on target.

The home side should also have added a goal when McGlynn stormed through but with James Murray chasing back it was enough to pressure him into a shot to the ‘keeper.

Derry’s first score  from Patrick McGurk came from distance but Donegal always had a response.

Marks from Patrick McElwee and Karl Joseph Molloy was the difference on the opening half.

Donegal were able to find the pockets of space their defence didn’t leave at the other end.

McGlynn hit a score from an acute angle early in the second half before Derry hit the net.

Doherty jinked through the Donegal cover before hammering to the net to make the score 0-8 to 1-4.

Both sides traded scores with Forbes (2) and substitute Ryan McNicholl on target for a totally revived Derry.

Ciaran Chambers and Ryan McNicholl failed to take two goal chances when Derry were on top.

Donegal made a triple substitute in a bid to freshen up the game.

McMenamin, McGlynn and Lynch were all on target to level the game before Derry’s dramatic winner.

Scorers

Derry: O Doherty 1-2 (2f), R Forbes 0-3, R McNicholl 0-2, C Chambers, E Higgins (f), C Spiers, C Heron and P McGurk 0-1 each

Donegal: L McGlynn 0-4 (2f), S Martin, C Reid, S Ward (45), K Magee, S Carr, K Lynch, C McMenamin, P McElwee (m), KJ Molloy (m) and C McGinty 0-1 each

Derry: C Armstrong; F McEldowney, J Murray; R Small; C McGrogan, P McGurk, C Heron; T Rogers, D McDermott, R Forbes; C Spiers, N O'Donnell, J McGuckian; E Higgins, O Doherty

Subs: C Chambers for E Higgins (HT), R McNicholl for T Rogers (HT)

Donegal: D McGowan; C McCrea, F Roarty; K Magee; F Coll, O Caulfield, S Martin; C Reid, E Kelly, S Ward; C McGinty, L McGlynn, S Carr; P McElwee, KJ Molloy 

Subs: N Prendiville for S Ward (50), C McMenamin for C Reid (57), K Lynch for KJ Molloy (57), D Gallagher for E Kelly (57), L McGee for S Carr (63)

Yellow card: S Martin (48)

Referee: E Mallon (Armagh)