Derry land a second All-Ireland u-20 title

All-Ireland U-20 B HC final

Derry 1-17 Roscommon 1-11

By Michael McMullan

A STRONG opening quarter paved Derry’s way their second All-Ireland U20 B hurling title on Saturday in Kingspan Breffni Park.

The Oakleafers led by three at half-time but never looked in any danger with their defence absrobing whatever was thrown at them.

While they were wasteful in the second half, they controlled the ball with man of the match Emmet Óg McKeever driving them on through the middle.

Points from Connor Melaugh and Ruairi Biggs had Derry two up early on.

Derry looking to the building blocks of continuous u-20 progress

The sides were then level twice before Derry hit for the first goal in the eighth minute.

It was all about the run of Biggs who squared to Felix Glover who sidestepped before hitting the net.

Connor Melaugh, Felix Glover and Paul McNicholl all added Derry scores as they went 1-9 to 0-3 ahead.

The Rossies ended a 10-minute scoreless spell with a Morris free and had a spell of control.

A Derry turnover in defence led to a quick break and Connor Melaugh score but it was Roscommon who finished the half with a bang.

When keeper Ó nEireamhóin saved a close-range Morris free, David Mannion finished to the net leaving Derry just three ahead at the break, trailing 1-10 to 1-7.

Derry added points from Biggs and PJ Glover as they settled into the game but needed a big catch from Declan Kelly in defence on the way to the swift Biggs score.

David Mannion replied with a point but the accurate PJ Glover finished a move and Derry were 1-13 to 1-8 ahead going into the final quarter.

Glover and Biggs added scores as Derry strode towards the winning line.

Scorers

Derry: PJ Glover 0-7 (4f, 1 65), F Glover 1-1, C Melaugh, R Biggs 0-3 each, P McNicholl, C Gallagher and E McKeever 0-1 each

Roscommon: C Morris 0-6 (6f), D Mannion 1-1, K Doran, O Finneran, D Mooney and G Staunton 0-1 each

Derry: C Ó nEireamhóin; D Kelly, T Melaugh, D McNamee; C Gallagher, E McKeever, P Diamond; R McGarvey, R McGilligan; P McNicholl, KB Mullan, C Melaugh; PJ Glover, F Glover, R Biggs
Subs: C Connery for F Glover (44), D Ó Lochlainn for Mullan (53), R Scullion for R McGilligan (61), M Doyle-Kennedy for McNamee (61)

Roscommon: D Monaghan; M Finneran, E Murray, L Cormican; D Bolger, A Kenny, S McDonnell; K Doran, D Mooney; M Kelly, O Finneran, J Kelly, C Morris, G Staunton, D Mannion
Subs: R Glynn for J Kelly (35), C Mulry for M Kelly (50), N Doran for D Mannion (58), J Kelly for K Doran (60), B Killion for Staunton (62)

Referee: D Argue (Cavan)