Rory Gallagher’s Derry are celebrating their first Ulster senior football title since 1998 following Sunday’s 1-16 to 1-14 victory over Donegal after extra-time in Clones.
Brendan Rodgers and Conor Glass kicked the crucial scores in the second period of extra-time to spark unbridled scenes of joy amongst the Oak Leaf County’s supporters.
For Donegal, it was another missed opportunity in a provincial final.
Derry led 1-6 to 0-6 at half-time with Niall Loughlin’s early goal the opening score of this Ulster final – although TV replays suggested Donegal’s Stephen McMenamin might have been fouled in the lead-up to the goal.
Donegal’s performance improved in the third quarter and they moved ahead on 42 minutes for the first time thanks to Ryan McHugh’s well-taken point.
But Derry were resilient at the back and kept several of Donegal’s marquee names quiet.
The sides traded scores in the final quarter as the tension mounted.
Shane McGuigan brought Derry from a free on 64 minutes – but there were audible groans from the Clones crowd as Donegal, despite having possession, seemed reluctant to push for a match-winning score in the dying moments of normal time.
In extra-time, with the heat taking its toll and bodies cramping up, scores were even harder to come by.
The teams were still deadlocked at 1-13 a-piece at half-time in extra-time.
But – in the final 10 minutes, it was Derry who edged in front through a McGuigan free.
Donegal struggled to get the ball back – with Brendan Rodgers scoring a huge point from full-back in the closing stages.
Conor’s Glass’s point was the insurance score.
Michael Murphy had a last-gasp chance to fire in a goal from a close-in free, but his drop-kick attempt for a goal was blocked and clear by a forest of Derry backs, as they held on for a famous victory.
For Donegal, round two of the qualifiers beckons in a couple of weeks time – but there will be some soul-searching before that.
Ulster senior football final
Derry 1-16 Donegal 1-14 after extra-time
Ulster minor football final
Tyrone 4-8 Derry 0-16
Connacht senior football final
Galway 2-19 Roscommon 2-16.
