Monaghan pipped by Derry in well contested Ulster U20 opener
Dalata Ulster U20 Championship Group A Round OneMonaghan 1-8 Derry 0-14There was drama to the end at St Mary’s Park. Monaghan needed a goal and a late quick free from Max McGinnity saw the ball slip into the back of the net.The original free was overruled, as Derry were penalised playing the ball back to their goalkeeper and then they weren’t, leading to a little confusion, some frustration in white and at least a few deep breaths in red.But it was the correct call, the ball thrown to Cahir Hampson for him to take the free rather than played back.Damien McErlain’s charges beat this Monaghan side twice at minor level in 2023. They have a big reputation for such young shoulders.But Tommy Rogers winning score showed their capability, carrying the burden with ease as he swung over the day’s only two-pointer to put Derry two up with less than five to go.A prior Rogers 45′ was an exceptional strike too, coming as a frustated Derry were denied what looked a certain goal by Mark McCaffrey’s goal line heroics.Though Cahir Spiers and Conal Higgins each had brilliant moments, they were each guilty of wild wides as the Oak Leaf men didn’t fully tick, but Spiers stood tall with the final score of the day.Paul O’Connor’s men meanwhile may feel it was an opportunity lost. They missed the chance to hit the front with just 10 to play for the first time since the 14th minute.A McGinnity free tailed left, with sub Killian Kearns missing another chance soon afterwards.Read More: Permutations, woah-oh, permutations: what teams need on the last Sunday of the National Football LeagueCombined with a 15 minute scoreless spell in the first half, contrasted with Rogers brilliance, that was perhaps the difference.The Monaghan goal came from a penalty, cooly slotted home by McGinnity, making it 1-7 to 0-10, but a McGinnity free was all the Farney men could muster in the remaining 17 minutes, one which did put them ahead until the Derry storm struck late.They had started fast, many boys from the 2023 All-Ireland minor final carrying much bigger frames than back then under the Castleblayney lights.At 0-3 to 0-0 up, Cahir Hampson in the Derry goal was under substantial pressure. Referee Neil McGeown had the whistle to his lips once, opting not to act, before running out of patience a second time.Deemed to have taken too long, the Swatragh man was left to deal with the new punishment of a 14 metre free. Max McGinnity gladly availed of the opportunity on his home patch.Luke ‘Oiney’ McKenna, not to be confused with his Truagh and U20 teammate Luke ‘Hughie’ McKenna, had opened Monaghan’s account from play, a curled effort showing real confidence and intent of what Paul O’Connor’s charges were about.Read More: Owen Mulligan: Armagh and Tyrone both have had their struggles but I know which camp I’d rather be in right nowSoon Derry got a foothold as a team of this pedigree tends to do. Monaghan had just four scores with attacks in double figures, repelled inside the arc on a few occasions.Perhaps their depth in attack was a problem area at times, guilty of having four and five at the back, while Derry began to break at speed.Cahir Spiers was central to that, his acceleration and change of direction lethal dangerous, even tripping himself up on one occasion he looked primed to kick a second score, as Caolan Clerkin nipped in.Johnny McGuckian was lively too, a superb steal moments after throw-in a sign that he was here to play. He had two on the board by the break.Conal Higgins had three by the end, Rogers four, some masterful moments around the middle.They join Donegal on two points in Group A, as Monaghan face Donegal in Castleblayney again next week.Monaghan: J Mooney (captain); A Stuart, C Clerkin, C Meehan; M McCaffrey, D Connolly, L H McKenna; C Jones, M Carolan 0-1; C Murphy, T Doherty, M Quinn; S McMahon, M McGinnity 1-5 (1X pen, 4f, 1m), L O McKenna 0-1.Subs: M Finn 0-1 for S McMahon (HT), K Kearns for L O McKenna (42′), S Carolan for C Meehan (44′), T Quinn for A Stewart, S O’Connor for C Clerkin (both 59′).Derry: C Hampson; R Small, P Haran, F McEldowney (captain); C Spiers 0-2, C McKaigue, B McDaid; T Rogers 0-4 (1X 45, 1X tp), M Higgins; E Young, C Rocks 0-2, J McGuckian 0-2; J Boyle, C Higgins 0-3 (0-1f), G Dillon 0-1.Subs: C Hargan for J Boyle (38′), D Doherty for C Rocks (59′).Referee: N McGeown (Armagh)
