Just as their senior team did against Armagh in the Ulster decider a fortnight ago, Derry won the Electric Ireland Ulster Minor Football Championship final with a penalty shootout win against Monaghan.
The game had finished Derry 1-13 Monaghan 3-7 in normal time and 1-15 to 3-9 at the end of extra time.
Goalkeeper Jack McCloy was one of the heroes for Derry in the shootout, saving two penalties, while Conall Higgins converted the winning kick as his side claimed the title 4-2.
"Penalties is a seriously emotional way to win it. It's not a brilliant way to win it," said Derry boss Damian McErlain, who now has three Ulster titles as manager, told TG4.
"In the game itself, we should have had it won three or four times. We kept conceding goals, which we hadn't done all through the campaign.
The title had looked like it was going to be Derry's towards the end of normal time as they led by two points. However, Monaghan found a way with two scores in a frantic finish to take the game to extra-time.
60+ 5 nóim #DERvMON@Doiregaa 1-13 (16)@monaghangaa 3-07 (16)
Am breise le teacht!
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"We played Monaghan in the first league game, and it was similar to that game there where it was just up, down, up, down. Monaghan keep bringing it. They are a really good side," said McErlain.
"I thought the character that we showed today... Coming in today, everybody was talking about us being favourites. That's just absolute nonsense talk at minor level because you never know until the day how teams are going to react. You don't know how good the teams are until you put them on the field together."
28 May 2023; The Derry squad celebrates after the Electric Ireland Ulster Minor GAA Football Championship Final match between Derry and Monaghan at Box-It Athletic Grounds in Armagh. Photo by Stephen Marken/Sportsfile
McErlain said his side had not practised penalties "apart from the craic you have at the end of training".
"We hadn't thought about it," he said.
"We had a discussion with seconds to go. We says, 'Hold on, we'll think about that in a minute once the final whistle goes'.
"We hit five penalties in the season, and missed all five. It was funny that we won a penalty shootout to win us the championship.
"We had looked at the Monaghan penalty takers and what side they would go to. We definitely had done that. Jack was aware of the different lads coming through. While they had an advantage having been through one, we had an advantage of having seen them hit penalties.
"Jack had a blinder there, saved two penalties - delighted for him."
Derry win Ulster minor final on penalties
Lán Ama #DERvMON
Is iad @Doiregaa Seampíní Uladh tar éis ciceanna éirice 🏆 🏆 🏆 🏆 🏆 🏆 🏆
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See Also: Sensational Galway Goal Not Enough To Stop Mayo In Connacht Minor Final
