Potter the hero as Tyrone sink Derry in stoppage time

Ulster u-20 FC

Tyrone 0-13 Derry 1-9

By Michael McMullan

THE drama all came at the end of this u-20 group game as Tyrone sunk Derry at the second time of asking at Celtic Park.

In a game that was level on six occasions, the Red Hands pushed into a 0-12 to 0-9 lead as the clock ticked into stoppage time.

An incisive run and sensational finish from Johnny McGuckian looked to have salvaged a draw for the home side before Gavin Potter notched the Tyrone winner.

The Oakleafers were twice two points ahead in the first half with points from Eoin Higgins, Oisin Doherty and Cahir Spiers.

The pick of the points was a booming Ryan McNicholl point for Derry but it was Joey Clarke who levelled matters at half-time, 0-5 each.

Two Ronan Cassidy points had Tyrone ahead before Oisin Doherty (twice) scored to tie the game once again.

With 10 minutes to go, Tyrone took control with points from substitutes Ruairi McCullagh and Noah Grimes.

It looked enough for Tyrone but when McGuckian hit the net, they needed Potter’s late, late winner.

Derry: C Armstrong; F McEldowney, C Heron, R Small; C McGrogan (0-1), J Murray, D McDermott; R Forbes, T Rogers (0-1 45); C Spiers (0-1), R McGill, J McGuckian (1-0); E Higgins (0-1), R McNicholl (0-1), O Doherty (0-4, 2f)

Subs: N O’Donnell for R McNicholl (54), S Young for C McGrogan (56)

Tyrone: C McAneney; J Clarke (0-1), B Hughes, Conor Devlin; S O’Hare (0-1), M Rafferty, C Daly (0-1); R Fox (0-1), C O’Neill, Cormac Devlin, E McElholm, G Potter (0-2); R Cassidy (0-2, 1f), C Owens (0-2, 1m), O Gormley (0-1)
Subs: O Brolly for Conor Devlin (48), R McCullagh (0-1) for S O’Hare (48), N Grimes (0-1m) for C Owens (57), P McCann for R Fox (61)

Referee: E McFeely (Donegal)

In the other game in the group, Monaghan were 1-12 t0 0-13 winners over Down in Páirc Esler.

Points from Nicky Sherlock and Stephen Mooney win the game for the Farney County.

Down were ahead going into the last minute before Padraig Doogan Burke levelled matters, 1-10 to 0-13.

Derry travel to Castleblayney next week, while Tyrone have a bye.

In the other group, Downings star Patrick McElwee hit 1-3 as Donegal saw off Fermanagh, 1-13 to 0-5 in Ballybofey.

The home side led 0-8 to 0-4 at the brea, before pushing clear in the second half.

Donegal will play Armagh in two weeks’ time and the winner of that match will top the section and go straight through to the Ulster semi-finals.

Armagh were 2-9 to 2-7 winners on Wednesday night in the BOX-IT Athletic Grounds.

The home side led 0-4 to 0-1 after the first quarter only for Cavan’s goal, from Darragh Lovett, levelling the game.

A penalty from Armagh captain Gareth Murphy put them back in the lead with a second goal coming in the 21st minute from Pierce Blessing for a 2-4 to 1-2 lead.

It was double scores against at half-time and Armagh controlled the game with Barry Donnelly hitting a late Cavan goal.