Derry show composure to see off Kerry and reach All-Ireland Minor decider

Derry 1-13 Kerry 1-12

Dylan Rocks, right, and Eamon Young of Derry celebrate victory at the final whistle

Derry goal hero Dylan Rocks engages with Kacper Robak of Kerry during the sides' All-Ireland Minor clash

thumbnail: Dylan Rocks, right, and Eamon Young of Derry celebrate victory at the final whistle
thumbnail: Derry goal hero Dylan Rocks engages with Kacper Robak of Kerry during the sides' All-Ireland Minor clash
John Campbell

Derry booked their place in the All-Ireland Minor Football Championship Final when they showed composure and coolness in closing out Saturday’s Semi-Final against Kerry at Cusack Park, Mullingar.

Both sides showed admirable commitment and no little skill in sustaining their efforts for the entire game, with reigning All-Ireland champions Derry just managing to cross the line ahead of their opponents after a frenetic second-half.

Yet Kerry had looked as if they were about to boss the game when they led by 1-3 to 1-1 at one stage in the first-half before Derry mounted a recovery operation that was masterminded by James Sargent, Eamon Young and Dylan Rocks.

Indeed, it was a third minute goal from Rocks that laid the basis for Derry’s first-half performance, although Eoin O’Flaherty’s prompt response when he netted for Kerry ensured that the Kingdom stayed on their opponents’ shoulder.

And when Eanna Murphy and Gearoid White in particular underlined their accuracy in shipping over points, Kerry began to look comfortable and by the halfway stage they led by 1-7 to 1-3.

Derry, though, stepped on the accelerator in the third quarter with Sargent in particular imposing himself in the middle third of the pitch while at the same time landing 0-4.

Indeed, it was his authority and finishing skills that were to stand Derry in good stead as Kerry battled to salvage the game. But when Young plundered two valuable points for Derry as the game neared its climax, they began to breathe a little easier.

And when Sargent steered over a long-range free in the closing minutes of the game, this set the seal on a notable Derry victory.

Manager Damian McErlain was both relieved and hopeful at the finish – relieved that they had edged to victory and hopeful that they can now get the better of either Mayo or Armagh the All-Ireland final.

“This game against Kerry was a tough as it can get but no matter who we meet in the Final will present us with a big challenge,” said McErlain afterwards.

Derry scorers: J Sargent 0-4 (2f, 1‘45’), E Young 0-4 (2f), D Rocks 1-0, G Dillon 0-2 (1f), L Grant, D McGuckin, C Rocks 0-1 each.

Kerry scorers: G White 0-5 (4f), E O’Flaherty 1-1, A Ó Beaglaoich, B Murphy, J Joy, M Horan, É Murphy, J McCarthy (f) 0-1 each.