Derry retained the All-Ireland MFC title with a three-point win over Armagh at O'Neills Healy Park, coming from behind with a killer goal ten minutes from the end.
It was the second successive all-Ulster decider, and a repeat of this year’s Ulster final, which the Oak Leafers won by two points, and this time they weathered a number of storms on their way to the county’s seventh title, and a third in the last five seasons.
Goals from skipper and man of the match James Sargent and Cody Rocks sealed the deal for the Derry as they made a home in the Sperrins for the Tom Markham Cup for another year.
The holders reeled off three points inside the opening four minutes, to take an early lead through Ger Dillon, Eamon Young and Dylan Rocks, with Ross Marsden getting the Orchard off the mark
Defensive systems were addressed on both sides as the game became more dogged, space at a premium for the creative players and even more sparse for the finishers.
Although playing into the wind and rain, Armagh dominated possession in the opening quarter, closing the gap with a Diarmuid O’Rourke free, and it was Fionn Toale who brought them level in the 20th minute, biding his time as his team-mates worked patiently to find the openings on a greasy Omagh surface.
But in the 24th minute, Derry struck for a goal, skipper James Sargent blasting a penalty to the roof of the net after Luke Grant was fouled going through.
The challengers responded in emphatic fashion, scoring the last three points of the half to go level.
Full back Gavin O’Rourke landed a long range effort, before Eoin Duffy tapped over a free.
A turnover deep in their own half created a goal chance as Keelan McEntee an Ross Marsden broke at speed, but full back Ronan Canavan stepped in to deny Eoin Duffy.
Goalkeeper Michael Finnegan drilled the resultant ’45 between the posts to tie it up at 0-06 to 1-03 in stoppage time, and crafted another goal chance in the early moments of the second half as Marsden flashed in a shot which was deflected out for a ’45 by Caoimhin Harkin, with 'keeper Finnegan converting again to give his side the lead for the first time.
They went two clear through substitute Aaron Garvey, and with a defensive system still frustrating the champions, the Orchard were looking strong.
But Sargent, Luke Grant and Eamon Young had an immense influence on the game in the final quarter as Derry turned the game around.
In the space of six minutes they turned a two-point deficit into a four-point lead. Sargent and Young landed inspirational scores, and they grabbed a second goal on 51 minutes, Dylan Rocks crossing for Cody Rocks to punch home at the far post.
It was a devastating blow for the Orchard lads, who could only manage one further point, an O’Rourke free, as the Oak stood firm to retain the Tom Markham Cup.
Derry: J McCloy; P O’Kane, R Canavan, P Haran; L Grant (0-01), C O Mianain, D McGuckin; J Sargent (1-01, 1-0 pen), C McBride; E Young (0-02), T McHugh, C Hargan; G Dillon (0-02, 1f), C Rocks (1-00), D Rocks (0-01).
Subs: R Collins for Hargan (46), R Biggs for O’Kane (55)
Armagh: M Finnegan (0-02, 2’45); T Fox, G O’Rourke (0-01), C Wilson; Fergus Toale, S Woods, D O’Rourke (0-03, 3f); J Loughran, D O’Callaghan; R Marsden (0-01), J McCooe, K McEntee; Fionn Toale (0-01), E Duffy (0-01, f), S Loughran.
Subs: A Garvey (0-01) for Marsden (36), D McGee for Fergus Toale (52), O Gribben for Duffy (55)
Referee: B Tiernan (Dublin).
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