Ryan McNicholl kicks winning point for Derry to break Donegal's hearts

Ryan McNicholl kicked the winning score for Derry at the death to see the Oak Leaf County advance to an Ulster U-20 football final showdown with Tyrone following a one-point win in Ballybofey. 

At half-time, Donegal held a three-point lead, buoyed by their strong performance. However, a remarkable resurgence led by Ruairí Forbes and McNicholl propelled Derry forward, with Oisin Doherty's clinical goal in the 33rd minute dramatically shifting the momentum of the game. 

Before Derry's scoring spree, Donegal maintained a three-point advantage, with McGlynn, Conor Reid, and Conor McGinley finding the target with precision. 

In a notable play, McGlynn embarked on a determined run towards the goal, but the relentless pressure from James Murray forced him into a hurried shot, which was expertly saved by the vigilant goalkeeper, adding to the tension on the field. 

Derry's first score wasn’t until the 18th minute, a distant shot by Patrick McGurk, momentarily rattled Donegal's defence, but they swiftly regained composure and responded with resilience. 

The opening half witnessed impressive marks from Patrick McElwee and Karl Joseph Molloy, whose contributions proved pivotal in shaping the early dynamics of the match. 

Derry were very lateral in the first half failing to break down the Donegal defence until the last five minutes of the opening half. 

But until then Donegal continued to showcase their tactical prowess by exploiting the spaces left by Derry's defensive line, demonstrating their strategic acumen on the field. 

Three final points in the last five minutes from Derry’s Forbes, Cahir Spiers, and Eoin Higgins brought the opening 30 minutes to a close with Donegal leading 0-7 to 0-4 at the break. 

Early in the second half, McGlynn displayed his skill and accuracy by scoring from a challenging angle, further solidifying Donegal's lead.  

However, Derry's determination remained unyielding, and then came that all-spectacular goal courtesy of Doherty's exceptional individual effort, narrowing the score margin to 0-8 to 1-4 when he broke through the Donegal defence by by-passing Callum McCrea and Oisin Caulfield to blast the ball past Damien McGowan. 

Forbes, with two crucial points, and Doherty from a free, injected renewed energy into Derry's gameplay with their clinical finishing, sparking a spirited comeback from the visitors, with the boys in red eventually taking the lead for the first time as they hit their purple patch. 

Despite their dominance, Derry missed two golden opportunities to score goals, as Ciaran Chambers and Ryan McNicholl failed to capitalise on promising chances when their team was in a commanding position with credit going to the Donegal defence and goalkeeper. 

But at this crucial point, Donegal looked tired, while a rejuvenated Derry went for the kill, capitalising on every Donegal mistake and charging through the heart of a now tired and weakened Donegal defensive structure. 

Sensing the need for a strategic shift, Donegal made a decisive triple substitution in a bid to rejuvenate their gameplay and reclaim control of the match. 

Cian McMenamin, Luke McGlynn, and Kevin Lynch, made impacts late on by showcasing their sharpshooting abilities, swiftly finding the target to level the game, setting the stage for a thrilling climax. 

Needing an equal;iser, Karl Magee opted for a long ball at the edge of the square, superbly won by McElwee, who laid it off to Lynch, who only newly introduced, brought the sides level. 

However, just when it seemed that the match was destined for a tense stalemate, Derry conjured a moment of brilliance, securing a dramatic winning point in the dying moments of the game when Donegal were caught off guard from a Derry line ball, giving McNicholl the space to slot over for his second and the winner, leaving the spectators in awe in what was a captivating match. 

Scorers – Donegal: Luke McGlynn 0-4, 2fs; Seán Martin, Conor Reid, Shaun Ward (45), Karl Magee, Seanán Carr, Kevin Lynch, Cian McMenamin, Patrick McElwee (m), KJ Molloy (m) and Conor McGinty 0-1 each. Derry: Oisin Doherty 1-2 (2f), Ruairí Forbes 0-3, Ryan McNicholl 0-2, Ciaran Chambers, Eoin Higgins (f), Cahir Spiers, Conall Heron and Patrick McGurk 0-1 each. 

Donegal: Damien McGowan; Callum McCrea, Finbarr Roarty; Karl Magee; Finn Coll, Oisin Caulfield, Sean Martin; Conor Reid, Shaun Ward; Conor McGinty, Luke McGlynn, Seanán Carr; Eoghan Kelly, Patrick McElwee, KJ Molloy. Subs: Niall Prendiville for Ward (50), Cian McMenamin for Reid (57), Kevin Lynch for Molloy (57), Donal Gallagher for Kelly (57). 

Derry: Callum Armstrong; Fionn McEldowney, James Murray, Rory Small; Conleth McGrogan, Patrick McGurk, Danny McDermott; R McNicholl, Conall Heron; Ruairi Forbes, Cahir Spiers, Niall O'Donnell; Johnny McGuckian, Eoin Higgins, Oisin Doherty. Subs: Ciaran Chambers for Higgins (HT). 

Referee: Enda Mallon (Armagh)