Derry's pedigree shines through

2 July 2021

Derry's Matthew Downey lifts the Ulster MFC trophy. ©INPHO/John McVitty.

Captain Matthew Downey pointed the way for Derry as they were crowned 2020 Ulster minor football champions, dethroning the holders in the process.

The son of 1993 All Ireland winning skipper Henry finished top scorer with six points in the rescheduled final at Healy Park this evening as the Oak Leafers held off a late rally from the Farney Army to take a 1-15 to 0-15 victory.

Niall O’Donnell fired Derry in front after just five minutes with a well-taken goal, rounding goalkeeper Darragh Croarkin, and they led 1-8 to 0-4 at half-time.

Monaghan weren't going to give way easily, they showed true grit to claw a seven-point deficit back down to one in injury-time after four successive points by Cian Conlon, Stephen Mooney, Nathan Lavery and Dan McCahey but couldn't find a leveller.

There was also action in the Ulster U20FC tonight, Donegal opened their 2021 campaign with an impressive 1-17 to 0-8 win against Armagh at Ballybofey.