Football

Electric Ireland MFC Semi-Final

Derry 3-11 Dublin 1-8

By Michael Wilson at BOX-IT Athletic Grounds

Derry will appear in their third All Ireland minor final in seven years after an inspired second half display saw the 14-man Ulster champions overcome Dublin.

Damian McErlain's team lost keeper Jack McCloy after an incident at half-time, leaving them with 14 men for the whole second half. 

The Oakleafers, who had been in control, led 0-7 to 0-4, but the Leinster champions took only six minutes to draw level after the break.

The outlook looked stark for Derry but, as they have done all year, when the questions were asked, the Oakleafers found the answers.

Derry outscored the Leinster champions by 3-03 to 0-3 in the final 24 minutes of the game despite playing with a man less.

James Sargent and Johnny McGuckin were brilliant. Sargent's 36th minute penalty was a key moment for Derry.

Further goals from corner back Luke Grant and an audacious chip from the excellent Cahir Spiers in injury time runner stamped a breathtaking second half to set up a fourth meeting of the season with Monghan in what will be a repeat of last month's Ulster final.

Dublin almost had the perfect start in an opening half in which both team should have had at least two goals each. With barely 30 seconds on the clock Dublin broke through down the right, Noah Byrne finding himself in space only yard from the Derry goal before pulling his shot inches wide of the near post.

With play brought back for an earlier foul, Lenny Cahill's free was some consolation but the tone had been set. This was shoot-out territory.

Within three minutes James Sargent was watching his goal bound effort brilliantly blocked by Dublin 'keeper Cillian Murray as Derry passed up a gilt edged opportunity. 

Again a point, this time from Eamon Young was the consolation and when Ger Dillon tapped over a free seconds later the Oakleafers were a point up four minutes in.

Luke O'Boyle equalised through a lovely '45', but it was clear they were going for goals.

Oisin Doherty and Byrne swapped points for 0-3 apiece before Derry once again failed to capitalise on a nice team move. 

This time it was John Boyle, starting in place of Conall Higgins, at the tip of the spear, but once again Murray was quick off his line to block, with Sargent sending over the resultant '45'.

Two Dillon frees had Derry leading 0-6 to 0-3 by the 24th minute, but in between Byrne had another clear sight of the Derry goal, his effort this time cannoning off the base of the Oakleaf upright before being cleared.

Ryan Mitchell's huge score narrowed the deficit to two, but Derry had the last say of the half, a great Tommy Rogers point from the right ensuring the Ulster champions went in 0-7 to 0-4 ahead.

There was controversy before a ball was kicked in the second half when Derry 'keeper Jack McCloy was red carded, forcing the Oakleafers into a reshuffle that saw Boyle withdrawn and substitute keeper Karl Campbell introduced.

Dublin wiped out Derry's advantage inside six minutes thanks to a Mitchell point and a goal with his first touch from substitute Shane Mullarkey.

At 0-8 to 1-05, Dublin had all the momentum but Derry responded 

Scorers for Derry: Ger Dillon 0-5 (5fs), James Sargent 1-1 (1 45), Luke Grant and Cahir Spiers 1-0 each, Eamon Young 0-3, Oisín Doherty and Tommy Rogers 0-1 each.

Scorers for Dublin: Lenny Cahill 0-4 (4fs), Shane Mullarkey 1-0, Ryan Mitchell 0-2, Noah Byrne and Luke O'Boyle (45) 0-1 each.

Derry: Jack McCloy; Fionn McEldowney, Finbar Murray, Luke Grant; Cahir Spiers, James Sargent, Odhran Campbell; Tommy Rogers, Cahal McKaigue; Eamon Young, Ger Dillon, Johnny McGuckin; Rory Small, John Boyle, Oisin Doherty. 

Subs: Karl Campbell for J Boyle (HT), Deaglan McNamee for O Doherty (58), Kevin B Mullan for J McGuckin (60).

Dublin: Cillian Murray; Sean Keogh, Cillian Emmett, Jack O'Sullivan; Joshua Young, Eoghan Costello, Ryan Mitchell; Senan Ryan, Alex Carolan; Patrick Coleman, Luke O'Boyle, Noah Byrne; Paddy Curry, Harry Curley, Lenny Cahill.

Subs: Andrew O'Reilly for P Coleman (29), Shane Mullarkey for S Ryan (35), Ciaran O'Connor for J Young (50), Colin McAweeney for H Curley (52), Ben Kennedy for J O'Sullivan (52).

Referee: Sean Laverty (Antrim).