Derry and Monaghan lock horns as the Ulster U20 Championship gets under way

Ulster U-20 FC

By Michael McMullan

THE Ulster U-20 Championship gets underway on Wednesday night with two games down for decision (both 7.30pm).

Last year’s beaten finalists Donegal welcome Fermanagh to ‘The Scarvey’ in Buncrana as Group A gets under way.

The game of the night, also in Group A, is the clash of Derry and Monaghan in Castleblayney.

It’s a repeat of the Ulster and All-Ireland minor finals from two years ago, both won by the Oakleafers.

Reigning All-Ireland champions Tyrone are in the other group and won’t be in action until the following week.

Ulster u-20 management teams take shape ahead of throw-in

Derry have a squad littered with players with All-Ireland minor medals who are aiming to land the county’s first title since 2018, the inaugural u-20 competition.

From their Ulster final win over Armagh, captain Conor Doherty, Conor McCluskey, Paudie McGrogan, Shea Downey and Marty Bradley are part of the current senior squad.

Derry were beaten by Tyrone in the semi-final last season after losing the 2024 decider on penalties, also to the Red Hands

Four the current group are on the senior squad – Conall Higgins, Tommy Rogers, Eamon Young and James Sargent.

Jamie Mooney is the Monaghan U20 captain

The latter hasn’t played since an injured ACL against Cavan in last year’s competition.

Captain Fionn McEldowney, Luke Grant and Johnny McGuckian are also key players for Damian McErlain’s side.

Monaghan are captained by goalkeeper Jamie Mooney with Scotstown ace Max Maguire as vice-captain, a player who impressed in last year’s Ulster Club winning team.

The sides met at the same venue in the group stages and Wednesday will be an early indicator of where the sit in the pecking order.

Some of the Tyrone players pictured before last year’s Ulster final win over Donegal

Donegal have seven senior players in their u-20 including captain Finnbarr Roarty.

Goalkeeper Padraig Mac Giolla Bhríde, Conor McCahill, Kevin Muldoon, Turlough Carr and Max Campbell are others with senior experience.

They will go into Wednesday’s game as favourites against Fermanagh who have former county goalkeeper Ronan Gallagher in as manager.

The Erne County are captained by Derrygonnelly’s Rory Smyth and will also look to Oisin Smyth and Mattie McDermott, the latter having played with Fermanagh seniors.

Gallagher will also be able to call on younger players, the likes of Daire Chapman, Michael Burns and Nathan Beattie.

Antrim are the other team in Section A and have a bye this week. They’ll face Fermanagh next week in Tempo.

Tyrone will open their title defence with a trip to Cavan next Wednesday while Down welcome Armagh to Newry.

This week’s games

Wednesday 7.30pm
Section A
Monaghan v Derry in Castleblayney
Donegal v Fermanagh in Buncrana

REMAINING FIXTURES

Wed 25th March – 7.30pm
Section A Round 2
Fermanagh V Antrim at Tempo
Monaghan V Donegal at Castleblayney
Derry Bye

Section B Round 1
Cavan V Tyrone at Kingspan Breffni
Down V Armagh at Páirc Esler

Sat 28th March – 2.00pm
Section A Round 3
Derry V Fermanagh at Find Insurance Owenbeg
Donegal v Antrim at Ballyshannon
Monaghan Bye

Wed 1st April – 7.30pm
Section A Round 4
Antrim V Monaghan at Dunsilly
Derry V Donegal at Find Insurance Owenbeg
Fermanagh Bye

Section B Round 2
Armagh V Cavan at Box-It Athletic Grounds
Tyrone V Down at O’Neill Park Dungannon

Wed 8th April – 7.30pm
Section A Round 5
Antrim V Derry at Dunsilly
Fermanagh V Monaghan at Tempo
Donegal Bye

Section B Round 3
Armagh V Tyrone at Box-It Athletic Grounds
Down V Cavan at Páirc Esler

Quarter-finals – Wed 15th April
(First named team has home advantage)
Group A Runner-Up V Third in Group B
Group B Runner-Up V Third in Group A

Semi-finals – Wed 22nd April
(First named team has home advantage)
(1) Winner Section A V QF Winner
(2) Winner Section B V QF Winner

Final
Wed 29th April

Tier 2 semi-final – Mon 20th April
Fifth placed team in Group A V Fourth placed Team in Group B

Tier 2 final – Mon 27th April
Fourth placed team in Group A V semi-final winner