Donegal 2-12
Armagh 0-10
DONEGAL HAVE CLAIMED their sixth Ulster Minor Football title with an eight point win over Armagh in Clones this afternoon.
It is Donegal’s first provincial championship at this grade since 2006 and Declan Bonners’ men laid the foundations for the win with a lightning start; the Tir Chonnaill men led 1-3 to no score after 14 minutes thanks to John Campbell’s goal.
As Donegal dominated possession – they won nine of Armagh’s first 10 kick-outs – they clocked up 1-7 before the Orchard County finally troubled the scoreboard on 21 minutes through Oisin O’Neill.
Unsurprisingly, Armagh trailed at the break by 1-9 to 0-2.
Donegal missed an opportunity to extend their lead early in the second half when Lorcan Connor saw his penalty saved by Colm Rafferty after Armagh’s starting goalkeeper Ryan Kearney was shown a black card.
The save seemed to spark Armagh to life and they rallied through O’Neill and substitute Conor Cullen to within five points with three minutes to go.
However, Jamie Brennan secured the win for Donegal when he punched home their second goal in stoppage time.
Scorers for Donegal: John Campbell 1-2 (0-1f), Jamie Brennan 1-1, Lorcan Connor 0-4 (0-2f), Stephen McBrearty 0-3, Caolan McGonagle 0-1 (0-1’45), Michael Carroll 0-1.
Scorers for Armagh: Ryan Hughes 0-4 (0-1f), Oisin O’Neil 0-3 (0-1f), Conor Cullen 0-3.
DONEGAL
1. Danny Rodgers
2. Danny McMonagle
3. Ciaran Gillespie
4. Colm Kelly
5. Cian Mulligan
6.Tony McClenaghan
7. Andrew McClean
8. Niall Harley
9. Caolan McGonagle
10. Eoin Gallagher
11. Lorcan Connor
12. Michael Carroll
13. Jamie Brennan
14. John Campbell
15. Stephen McBrearty
Subs: Niall Friel for Mulligan, Ethan O’Donnell for Campbell, Conor Doherty for Harley, Connall O’Boyle for O’Donnell, Gavin McBride for Connor.
ARMAGH
1. Ryan Kearney
2. Fergus Quinn
3. Aidan Rushe
4. Cathal Donnelly
5. Cathal Boylan
6. Cathair McKinney
7. Conor McNicholl
8. Jarlath Og Burns
9. Shane Conlon
10. Jack Rafferty
11. Oisin O’Neill
12. Kyle Mallon
13. Ryan Hughes
14. Conor Grimley
15. Caolan McConville
Subs: Conor Cullen for Boylan, Colm Rafferty for Kearney, Ryan McKeown for Grimley, Conor Murphy for Conlon.
Referee: R Barry (Down).
