Hugh McGrath 'proud of everything they have done' after U20s loss

DERRY just have to take the “rough with the smooth” after Wednesday night’s Ulster U-20 final penalty shoot-out heartbreak insists manager Hugh McGrath.

Going in against an unbeaten Tyrone side, Derry looked to have done enough to earn a first title since 2018.

A Ryan McNicholl goal looked to have been enough to put Derry on their way to victory only for Ruairi McHugh to palm home a Tyrone goal before fellow sub Conor Owens curled over the equaliser.

In the shoot-out, Derry had their first three kicks saved by goalkeeper Conor McAneney as Tyrone sealed a fourth Ulster title in six seasons.

“In Derry, as a county, we've been on the good side of penalties before and sometimes you just have to take the rough with the smooth,” said a gracious Oakleaf boss.

McGrath lamented how his side had led the game slip after being in control at key spells but gave Tyrone credit for how they kept clawing back.

He wasn’t drawn into any debate surrounding McHugh’s goal when he appeared to be in the square before Cormac Devlin squared the ball to him.

“Look, there's controversy in every decision, you just have to get on with it,” McGrath said. “I have to admit I didn't really see whether there was an issue with any of them, but we've got to be more tuned in.

“We've got to be on focus right throughout and that's what good teams can do, the first goal they got was a carbon copy of the last one, able to cut in off the right.”

On a night Derry were without ace defender James Murray, arguably their players of the season, with an injury sustained at the weekend, McGrath was “immensely proud” of his side.

“To think that there's only three or four of them that are not going to be in that group next year is incredible,” he said, highlighting the courage, determination and talent of the his squad.

“Other guys stood up,” McGrath added. “Ronan Walls came in and played really well. Fionn (McEldowney) and Smallsy (Rory Small), the twin towers at the back, were excellent.

“Right throughout the game you've got to hold your hand up and say you're proud of everything they've done.

“They couldn't get the job finished tonight, but there's no doubt that that group will be back at some stage.”