Ross Marsden, Armagh, and James Sargent, Derry, in Electric Ireland MFC Final action at O'Neills Healy Park. Photo by Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile
Electric Ireland MFC Final
Derry 2-7 Armagh 0-10
By Francis Mooney at O'Neill's Healy Park
Derry retained the All-Ireland title, winning the Tom Markham Cup for the third time in five years, with a comeback victory over Armagh.
With five players who featured in last year’s final, the Oak Leafers called on their experience of big match days, with inspirational skipper James Sargent leading the way.
And a Cody Rocks goal nine minutes from the end turned the game in their favour as they closed up shop to frustrate the Orchard lads.
It was the second successive all-Ulster decider, and a repeat of this year’s Ulster final, which the Oak Leafers won by two points.
Derry launched themselves into attack mode with three points in the opening three minutes, forcing their oppoents to quickly address defensive issues, after Ger Dillon, Eamon Young and Dylan Rocks had all hit the target.
They conceded just one further score in the opening half, identifying all the danger areas and working effectively to close them down.
It was the challengers who looked the more potent offensive threat in the first period, going level in the 20th minute with a Fionn O’Toole effort.
But they were knocked back by a Derry goal from a penalty, smashed to the roof of the net by skipper James Sargent after Luje Grant had been illegally halted as he got his shot away.
Nevertheless, the Orchard went straight back on the offensive, scoring the last three points of the half to go level.
Full back Gavin O’Rourke landed a long range effort, before Eoin Duffy converted a free.
A turnover deep in their own half created a goal cance as Keelan McEntee an Ross Marsden broke at pace, but full back Ronan Canavan stepped in to deny Eoin Duffy.
Goalkeeper Michael Finnegan drilled the resultant ’45 between the posts to tie it up at 0-6 to 1-3 in stoppage time, and crafted another goal chance in the early moments of the second half as Marsden flashed in a shot which was deflected out for a ’45 by Caoimhin Harkin, with ‘keeper Finnegan converting again to give his side the lead for the first time.
They went two clear through substitute Aaron Garvey, and with a defensive system still frustrating the champions, the Orchard were looking strong.
But Sargent, Luke Grant, and Eamon Young had an immense influence on the game in the final quarter as Derry turned the game around.
In the space of six minutes they turned a two points deficit into a four points lead. Sargent and Young landed inspirational scores, and they grabed a second goal on 51 minutes, Dylan Rocks crossing for Cody Rocks to punch home at the far post.
It was a devastating blow for the Orchard lads, who could only manage one further point, an O’Rourke free, as the Oak stood firm to retain the Tom Markham Cup.
Scorers for Derry: J Sargent 1-1 (1-0 pen), C Rocks 1-0, E Young, G Dillon (f) 0-2 each, D Rocks, L Grant 0-1 each.
Scorers for Armagh: D O’Rourke 0-3 (3f), M Finegan 0-2 (2 ’45), E Duffy (f), Fionn Toale, R Marsden, G O’Rourke, A Garvey 0-1 each.
Derry: J McCloy; P O’Kane, R Canavan, P Haran; L Grant, C O Mianain, D McGuckin; J Sargent, C McBride; E Young, T McHugh, C Hargan; G Dillon, C Rocks, D Rocks.
Subs: R Collins for Hargan (46), R Biggs for O’Kane (55).
Armagh: M Finnegan; T Fox, G O’Rourke, C Wilson; Fergus Toale, S Woods, D O’Rourke; J Loughran, D O’Callaghan; R Marsden, J McCooe, K McEntee; Fionn Toale, E Duffy, S Loughran.
Subs: A Garvey for Marsden (36), D McGee for Fergus Toale (52), O Gribben for Duffy (55).
Referee: B Tiernan (Dublin).
