Down 2-11 Derry 0-09
In a spellbinding final 20 minutes, Down overwhelmed their Derry opponents to come back from behind to claim their second Eirgrid Ulster U20 title in three seasons.
Both Danny Murphy Cups were collected under manager Conor Laverty and his side's ability to keep opponents scoreless while they rampaged ahead to victory with an unanswered 2-05 to no reply was simply stunning.
To make it all the more impressive, Down only led for the first time in the provincial contest when Odhran Murdock buried home with his unaccustomed right foot after he collected a high ball in the square in the 51st minute.
There was a serenity about Down all evening despite trailing for the majority of the match.
Backed up by the composure of Oisín Savage when it mattered, Murdock’s strength around the middle and the outrageously talented Jamie Doran off the bench, it was a memorable night for the Mourne men.
Derry centre forward Charlie Diamond opened the scoring at the second attempt, his 'free' shot after a foul was called back seconds earlier. So, from the exact spot and with his eye now in, the Bellaghy man whipped it over convincingly.
All eyes were on midfielder Murdock last Sunday in Newry for the Down seniors against Donegal and even more eyeballs again before this showpiece. The Burren man didn’t take long to announce his arrival with Down’s first score with five minutes on the clock.
Mark Doherty gave Derry the lead and they would hold on to that margin until half-time.
Down’s inside man Savage starved of possession won a fine mark but Derry were finding the scores that bit easier.
Diamond spun over a brace from both standing and running positions to give Martin Boyle’s side a deserved 0-06 to 0-04 lead at half-time.
Upon the resumption, Savage took the game to the Oak Leafers with two determined frees to level.
Doherty again, would give Derry the lead in the second period but that would be their last score of the game as they were about to enter a haze.
Man of the match Savage reeled Martin Boyle’s side in with unerring accuracy with five frees.
Murdock, one of 12 Burren men in the winning squad, blasted home to turn the final well and truly in Down’s favour.
Glenavon midfielder Jamie Doran showcased what he could do in another code with a closing 1-01 to seal the Ulster triumph and set up a date with Kildare in the All-Ireland semi-final.
Derry: Ben O’Connor;Patrick McGurk, James Murray; Jody McDermott (0-01); Lee Brady, Donncha Gilmore, Ruairí Forbes, Mark Doherty (0-02), Dan Higgins, Patrick O’Kane; Peter McCullagh (0-01), Niall O'Donnell (0-01), Ruairí Ó Mianáin; Matthew Downey (0-01, 0-01f), Charlie Diamond (0-03, 0-02f)
Subs: Calum Downey forÓ Mianáin (44), Seán Deehan for O’Kane (54), Niall McGonagle for Doherty (59)
Down: Oisín Treacy; Fiachra McAvoy, Patrick McCarthy, Finn Murdock; Thomas Hardy, Ryan Magill, James Kelly; Odhran Murdock (1-01), Tom McCarroll; Tiarnan Ryan, Oran Cunningham, Harry Magill; Oisín Savage (0-08, 0-05f, 0-01m), Jason Morgan, Callum Rodgers (0-01)
Subs: Jaime Doran (1-01) for Ryan (23), Cian Cunningham for R Magill (ht), Cormac Greene for McCarroll (55), Eoin Loughran for Savage (58), Senan Carr for O Cunningham (59)
Referee: Patrick Clarke (Cavan)
