Rogers kicks Derry to first victory

Ulster U20 Championship

Derry 0-14
Monaghan 1-8

By Michael McMullan

DERRY were made to battle all the way as they began their Ulster U-20 campaign on a winning note on Wednesday night in Castleblayney.

Despite going behind to a settled Monaghan tea early on, Derry hit four points in a succession to lead at the break.

A Max McGinnity penalty tied the game at 1-7 to 0-10 as the game ticked into the final quarter.

With Jamie Mooney getting control of his own kick-outs.

McGinnity put Monaghan ahead before Cody Rocks tied the contest with this second score.

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Rogers them nailed a two-pointer after Derry got hands on a Monaghan kick-point before Spiers hit the game’s final score.

There was a moment of controversy late on when referee McGeown awarded a free in that was slotted to the net.

After consulting with his umpires, he overruled the initial free and awarded Derry a free out.

The home side went into a three-point lead with frees from McGinnity and a score from Luke O McKenna. Conall Higgins and Ger Dillon replied with Derry scores.

Derry were living dangerously with Monaghan having two goal chances. One whizzed wide with the other blocked on the line.

Cahir Spiers tied the game at 0-4 all before two points from Johnny McGuckian helped Derry into a one-point interval lead.

The Oakleafers were three ahead when Monaghan were awarded a penalty and Max McGinnity slotted to the net to level matters.

McGinnity kicked Monaghan ahead and they looked like pushing on but it as Derry who finished with a flourish.

Scorers

Derry: T Rogers (1tp, 1 45), Conall Higgins (2f), C Spiers 0-3 each, C Rocks, J McGuckian 0-2 each and G Dillon 0-1

Monaghan: M McGinnity 1-5 (5f, 1-0 pen), M Finn, LO McKenna and M Carolan 0-1 each

Derry: C Hampson; R Small, P Haran, F McEldowney; C Spiers, C McKaigue, B McDaid; T Rogers, M Higgins; E Young, C Rocks, J McGuckian; J Boyle, Conall Higgins, G Dillon
Subs: C Hargan for Boyle (39), D Doherty for Rocks (62)

Monaghan: J Mooney; A Stuart, C Clerkin, C Meehan; M McCaffrey, D Connolly, LH McKenna; C Jones, M Carolan; C Murphy, T Doherty, M Quinn; S McMahon, M McGinnity, LO McKenna

Subs: M Finn for McMahon (HT), K Kierans for LO McKenna (43), S Carolan for Meehan (43), S O’Connor for Clerkin (59), T Quinn for Stuart (59)

Referee: N McGeown (Armagh)