Derry 1-14 Fermanagh 1-11
Holders Derry held off Fermanagh's brave challenge to qualify for the Ulster U20 Football Championship final with a 1-14 to 1-11 win over Fermanagh at Healy Park.
A game laden with goal chances went the way of the favourites, who managed to execute only one of many opportunities, thanks to the brilliance of Fermanagh goalkeeper Cian Newman.
It was Declan Cassidy who netted the all-important strike early in the second half to give them a lead they managed to tenaciously protect right to the end, despite some testing moments.
The Oak Leafers will face the winners of Saturday’s semi-final between Tyrone and Fermanagh in the final on 14 July.
Darragh McGurn gave the Erne men the lead with an early free, but two placed ball conversions from Lorcan McWilliams had the Oak Leafers in front by the fourth minute.
Fermanagh could have had a goal off Oran Hartin’s poor kick-out, but Callum Jones opted for the point, and with skipper Cameron McBrien and Conor Love looking lively in their attack, they retained the lead with another McGurn free.
But Derry had Declan Cassidy raiding from deep, and Padraig McGrogan providing accurate distribution, and exposed gaps in the Erne cover.
They hit three on the spin, two of them from McWilliams., to open out a two points advantage by the end of the opening quarter.
And the men in green survived two strikes on goal, with Eoin Shiels blocking a Dara Rafferty effort, before goalkeeper Cian Newman produced a fine save to deny McWilliams.
But Fermanagh moved quickly to shore up the problem areas, and survived a difficult spell to get themselves level through Josh Largo Ellis.
Now it was their turn to take on the opposition defence, and a searing 60 metre run by McGurn almost brought them a goal, his shot kept out by corner back Sean McKeever.
Conleth McShane edged Derry ahead by 0-7 to 0-6 in stoppage time, they and struck a huge blow after just a minute of the second half, Declan Cassidy grabbing a goal.
Soon they were five clear, with McShane adding to his tally, but Fermanagh hit back with a goal of their own, McGurn’s dropping free kick fisted to the net by Cameron McBrien.
The Doherty brothers came off the bench to make a bit impact for Derry, with Ethan bringing a fine save from Newman, before Alex arrowed over a point to make it a four points lead with ten minutes to play.
Brave Fermanagh never gave up, with McGurn responding with two more scores, but Derry enjoyed another spell, Declan Cassidy capping a driving run with a point, and Paul Cassidy opening out a five points lead.
The men in green threw caution to the wind, pressing for scores from substitutes John Reihill and Paul Breen, and they almost got the goal that would have sent it to extra-time, Dara McBrien’s shot pushed around a post right at the death.
Derry: O Hartin; O McGill, C McCluskey, S McKeever; D Cassidy (1-02), P McGrogan, F Bradley (0-02, 2 ’45); D Rafferty, K Friel; C McShane (0-03), M McGrogan, S McErlain; L McWilliams (0-04, 3f), T McHugh, P Cassidy (0-02).
Subs: A Doherty (0-01) for McWilliams (h-t), E Doherty for McHugh (38), E Mulholland for P Cassidy (60), J McAtamney for McShane (63)
Fermanagh: C Newman; E Shiels, J Cassidy, F Keenan; U Kelm, J Largo Ellis (0-1), R Breen; E Beacom, B Horan; C McBrien (1-01), C Jones (0-01), D McBrien (0-01); C Love, S Cassidy, D McGurn (0-05, 5f).
Subs: P Breen (0-01, f) for Kelm (35), J Reihill (0-01) for Cassidy (37), L Owens for Jones (51), C McNally for Love (55), M Dixon for C McBrien (63)
Referee: N McKenna (Monaghan).
