Report: Donegal book semi-final spot with stoppage time winner in Derry

Donegal 1-12
Derry 1-11

By Michael McMullan

A STOPPAGE time point from Shane Callaghan booked Donegal’s spot in the Ulster U-20 semi-finals.

Ger Dillon’s two-point free looked to have earned the Oakleafers a draw.

A draw would have put Derry in pole position to top the group but they now head into the quarter-finals.

Donegal started with a bang with a Max Campbell goal after just 20 seconds, carrying on his form from Sunday in Croke Park.

Cahir Spiers hit Derry’s first score before a Johnny McGuckian two-pointer levelled matters, 0-3 to 1-0.

Rampant Armagh ruthlessly dispose of Cavan

Tomás Carr and Campbell added points before two Callaghan scores had Donegal well in control.

A point from Muldoon put Gary Boyle’s side 1-5 to 0-3 ahead before Derry made a comeback.

It began with a loose kick from Muldoon over the sideline. When Donegal breached, Dillon’s two-pointer was backed up with a Conall Higgins free and Derry were back in the game.

With five minutes to the break, Derry hit the front for the only time with Cody Rocks’ palmed goal. It came from a high ball into the Donegal defence that wasn’t cleared.

Luke Grant and Rogers combined with Rocks palming in off the crossbar.

Callaghan hit a third score to level the game at the break, 1-6 each.

Derry began the second half brightly with scores from Dillon (free) and McGuckian (mark) before a scoreless spell as the game lacked intensity.

Shane Callaghan came up with the game winner in the dying moments for @officialdonegal over @Doiregaa !

Donegal top the group with four wins from four and take their place in the @Dalata_Hotels Ulster U20 Semi Final #Ulster2026 pic.twitter.com/xd11kDTVtf

— Ulster GAA (@UlsterGAA) April 1, 2026

Donnacha Boyle curled a two-point free and the sides were level again.

McDaid’s point put Derry ahead with seven minutes to go before Tomás Carr’s two-point free put Donegal back in the lead.

Kevin Muldoon added a score and Donegal looked like they’d hold on.

They were punished when Campbell breached and Dillon nailed a second two-pointer.

Derry failed to manage their late possession and were punished when a resurgent Donegal found a winner with the accurate Callaghan and the last kick of the game.

Derry: J McCloy; R Small, P Haran, F McEldowney; L Grant, C McKaigue, B McDaid (0-1), T Rogers (0-1m), M Higgins: C Rocks (1-0), C Spiers (0-1), J McGuckian (0-2tp); C Hargan, C Higgins (0-1), G Dillon (0-5, 1tpf, 1f)

Sub: J Bryson for Grant (50)

Donegal: P Mac Giolla Bhríde; C Ó Gallchoir, C Mac Aoidh; A Neely, F Roarty, C McCrea, M Campbell (1-1); K McLaughlin, J Gavigan; Tomás Carr (0-3, 1tpf, 1f), K Muldoon (0-2), L McGuinness; S Callaghan (0-4), D Hennigan, D Boyle (0-2 tpf)
Subs: Turlough Carr for Hennigan (42), T Lenehan for Boyle (51), A Cunnea for Boyle (61)

Referee: S Murphy (Armagh)