Orange Order Show Respect To Derry All-Ireland Winners

Derry won the Electric Ireland Minor football championship for the sixth time in their history earlier today, overcoming Monaghan by 1-13 to 0-09 at the BOX-IT Athletic Grounds in Armagh.

It wasn't the only feel good story experienced by the county, as Rían Ó Néill shared on Twitter.

The SDLP Councillor wrote a brilliant thread, detailing the respectful reaction of the Protestant Orange Order as the Derry minors' bus came through the same road as the Order's parade:

Earlier today, I had the pleasure of waiting in Moneymore to welcome home the Derry Minor All-Ireland Champions.

I couldn't help but notice how the local Orange Order lodges waited until the Derry bus had passed through before starting their parade.

They stood respectfully, many even applauded the team as the bus went by. This is a perfect example of the kind of mutual respect and good relations that are present throughout Moneymore.

Although tensions and sectarianism often make the headlines, it's important to highlight the good news of coexistence happening quietly across Northern Ireland

A Feel Good GAA Story From Derry

...coexistence happening quietly across Northern Ireland. 3/3 pic.twitter.com/4bYyi6BxYs

— Rían Ó Néill (@RyanONeill07) July 9, 2023

After Derry's win, their ecstatic manager Damian McErlain spoke to the media, and detailed the journey that his side have gone on this season.

"It's absolutely brilliant," McErlain said.

"It's been a long road, our 13th game of the season, 10th championship match. We've came the hard road. Ulster was tough itself and we had a tough challenge from Monaghan today but thankfully we got over the line.

"We were down to 14 men in the semi-final and that happened here with 20 minutes to go today. We really kicked on from it. Monaghan sort of came at us but we showed maturity.

"Derry is a proud football county. We're going well with the seniors, it's good to have the back up at the top table."