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All-Ireland U20HC B: Mourne County book final ticket
Sunday 21st July 2019
Down pulled victory from the jaws of defeat to set up a All-Ireland U-20 HC B final meeting with Kerry.
Down scraped over the challenge of Derry at Owenbeg on Saturday after coming back from a nine point arrears to win the semi-final 2-17 to 0-22.
The Oakleafers were the driving seat and led 0-12 to 1-05 at the break, with Ronan Costello finding the net for Down before half-time. Conor McCrickard hit Down's second goal on the 46th minute but it still looked the home side's game to lose.
Tim Prenter levelled the game in the 60th minute before Eoghan Cassidy put Derry back in front. But the momentum was now with Down and midfielder Niall Fitzsimmons' point in injury-time put the Mourne County in front for the first time in the game and set up a final meeting with Kerry on the weekend of 3rd to 5th August. Kerry defeated Meath 2-21 to 1-19 in the other semi-final.
Goals in either half from Ronan Costello and Conor McCrickard were also key ingredients in their winning formula as they overturned a 1-5 to 0-12 half-time deficit.
MATCH STATS:
Down: Conor McLornan; Eoin Kelly, Tom Murray, Aaron Dorian; Callum Smith, Ruairi McCrickard, Niall McFarlane (0-1); Niall Fitzsimons (0-1), Phelim Savage; Joe Hannrahan, Ronan Blair (0-3, 1f), Tim Prenter (0-1); Stuart Martin (0-4), Conor McCrickard (1-5, 2f), Ronan Costello (1-2).
Subs: Matt McAreavey for E Kelly (24), Ciaran Watson for J Hannrahan (39), Michael McKay for C Smyth (43), Padraig Doran for R Blair (44).
Subs: Matt McAreavey for E Kelly (24), Ciaran Watson for J Hannrahan (39), Michael McKay for C Smyth (43), Padraig Doran for R Blair (44).
Derry: Eoin Mulholland; Marty Bradley, Michael McEldowney, Pádraig O'Kane; Daire Kelly, Tiarnan Walsh, Fintan Bradley (0-1); Richie Mullan (0-7, 2f), Noel Rafferty; Eoghan Cassidy (0-4), Sean Kelly (0-2), Eoghan O'Kane (0-4); Ryan Scullion (0-1), Tiarnán McHugh (0-2), Reece McSorley (0-1).
Subs: James Crawford for N Rafferty (51), Shane Grant for R McSorley (55), Fintan McGrath for D Kelly (60+2), Tim Rankin for R Scullion (60+2).
Subs: James Crawford for N Rafferty (51), Shane Grant for R McSorley (55), Fintan McGrath for D Kelly (60+2), Tim Rankin for R Scullion (60+2).
Ref: Aidan Ferguson (Fermanagh).
Pic: Mary K Burke (Derry).
