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Fancy Tyrone to beat Donegal to top spot. Few weeks training will have them primed to turn over Donegal.

All-Ireland B semi final result. Winning score deep into added time.

Down 2-10 Mayo 0-15

Thank god for that. Don't know what the point of this competition is?

U20 is development, grade the more matches the better for players. And will be B and C grade competitions in the All Ireland series at U17/minor this year.

The whole tiered championship adds an unnecessary amount of extra more or less meaningless games into an already bloated calendar.

[You could see there being a 3A and 3B in the near future the way things are going, the gap between the junior contenders and the bottom is widening every year.]

Killyman beaten by Donaghmore Thirds which is the only game they won in 2023 (Donaghmore III lost every game last year).

Things must be getting really dicey for them lately, your heart would go out to anyone trying to keep the thing going with the amount of lads moving away at the minute. Must be trojan work.

Definite split in division 3 as many men have mentioned on here, Raymond Monteith mentioned it at county convention a few months ago. You could see there being a 3A and 3B in the near future the way things are going, the gap between the junior contenders and the bottom is widening every year.

This is passed and will come into effect in 2025. Will also encourage more development teams. A positive move for the club scene as Junior football as it stands is dying a death with the big difference top and bottom.

[EirGrid U20 FC: Tyrone reach decider]

EirGrid U20 FC: Tyrone reach decider

EirGrid All-Ireland U20 Football Championship Semi-Final
Tyrone 3-18 Roscommon 3-8

Yet again, the Eirgrid U-20 championship delivered a contest of the highest quality this evening at Kingspan Breffni, where Tyrone secured their place in next weekend's All-Ireland final at Roscommon's expense thanks to a sumptuous attacking display. The final margin of 10 points would suggest a one-sided contest, but this wasn't. Roscommon threw all that they had at the Ulster champions, and when they fired two goals in quick succession at start of the second half, the crowd was rocking at it looked like the upset might be on. Instead, Tyrone roared back into the game after steadying the ship with two long range dead ball scores from Conor McAneney, and once Eoin McElholm crowned his stylish all-round attacking display with a fantastic breakaway goal, the Red Hand man were in control again. Cormac Devlin fired a couple of points with substitutes Noah Grimes and Conor Owens also adding their names to the lengthy list of scorers, bringing that number up to 11. The only black mark from their perspective was a stoppage time skirmish that saw substitute Ruairí McHugh, as well as Senan Lambe and Ryan Dowling from Roscommon, pick up a straight red card, ruling him out of next weekend's All-Ireland final against Kerry.

The story of both halves was a story of Roscommon starting brightly, but Tyrone responding in the manner of Champions. Shane McGinley, who had been the star name in the Connacht champions' attack throughout the year, kicked off the contest with a wonderful goal in reply to Shea O'Hare's opening point. With six minutes gone there were six scores on the board, and Tyrone had drawn level after Ronan Cassidy and then a brace from Ruairí McCullagh cancelled out McGinley's goal. From the first throw in, Tyrone looked to push up and defend high up the pitch, and they got a lot of joy out of this approach. Midfielders Ronan Fox and Conor O'Neill were strong in the air, allowing Paul Devlin's side to really push up on kickouts, and this also brought wing backs Shea O'Hare and Ódhrán Brolly into the game. A scything run from Joey Clark set up O'Neill for Tyrone's first goal, and while Roscommon did undo some of that damage with the next two points, including a fine score on the run from Rob Heneghan, Tyrone hit another purple patch before half time, crowned by an excellent team goal that O'Hare slammed to the net.

Seven down at half-time, Roscommon found another huge start to the second half and after the first two points were shared, quickfire goals from Conor Ryan and Bobby Nugent brought them right back into it. However, a couple of very scorable chances to surf the wave and get in front proved costly, and once Tyrone hit another rich vein of form, they never looked back. Goalkeeper Conor McAneney got Tyrone out of their mini-funk with a couple of excellent long range kicks, and almost in the blink of an eye, they were out of sight. A clinical fast break saw Conor O'Neill carry the ball out of defence and once the ball was worked into Eoin McElholm, the Loughmacrory attacker executed a slick turn and a perfect low finish to leave Roscommon in a deep hole once again – and this time, the Ulster county were in no mood to allow them to escape.

Scorers for Tyrone: Eoin McElholm 1-02, Conor O'Neill 1-01, Shea O'Hare 1-01, Ruairí McCullagh 0-03, Ronan Cassidy 0-03 (1f), Conor McAneney 0-02 (1f, 1 45), Cormac Devlin 0-02, Odhrán Brolly 0-01, Ronan Fox 0-01, Noah Grimes 0-01, Conor Owens 0-01f.
Scorers for Roscommon: Shane McGinley 1-05 (3fs), Bobby Nugent 1-01, Conor Ryan 1-00, Dan Hagney 0-01, Rob Heneghan 0-01.

Tyrone: Conor McAneney; Conor Devlin, Ben Hughes, Joey Clarke; Shea O'Hare, Michael Rafferty, Ódhrán Brolly; Ronan Fox, Conor O'Neill; Cormac Devlin, Callum Daly, Gavin Potter; Ronan Cassidy, Ruairí McCullagh, Eoin McElholm.
Subs: Fiachra Nelis for Brolly (half-time), Ruairí McHugh for Devlin (41), Paddy McCann for Fox (52), Noah Grimes for Cassidy (56), Conor Owens for McCullagh (58).
Roscommon: Seán Allen; Eoghan Carthy, James Connolly, Dan Casey; Senan Lambe, Eden Kerins, James McGreal; Conor Harley, Conor Ryan; Rob Heneghan, Rory Hester, Dan Hagney; Shane McGinley, Niall O'Donnell, Bobby Nugent.
Subs: Ryan Dowling for Heneghan (30), Cillian Campbell for Carthy (half-time), Ethan O'Reilly for Hester (half-time), Ryan Conlon for Hagney (45), Oisín O'Flaherty for McGreal (54).
Referee: Jonathan Hayes (Limerick).

[Few tighter calls this week.]

Few tighter calls this week.
Strabane vs Brocagh
Drumquin vs Castlederg
Tattyreagh vs Augher
Derrytresk vs Eskra
Bravkaville vs CNG (Draw)
Killeeshil vs Errigal III
Killyman vs Donaghmore III

Hard to know between Donaghmore thirds and Killyman and Brackaville against Clann Na Gael

[Strabane]

Strabane vs Brocagh
Drumquin vs Castlederg
Tattyreagh vs Augher
Derrytresk vs Eskra
Bravkaville vs CNG
Killeeshil vs Errigal III
Killyman vs Donaghmore III

What people's thoughts on the U20s going forward? Watched Roscommon in Connaught final. They look decent which you'd expect. Think it's Kerry vs Meath in other semi. We've had some talented players past few years. Hopefully they continue to make the breakthrough.

At this point we have to be eyeing up winning the All Ireland. Overcoming Derry in Ulster was always going to be the biggest test they were to face. As long as they keep their focus now they should be fit to overcome what is left, especially with the scoring potential in the team. In Potter, McElholm, Cassidy, McCullagh, Owens and Grimes they have enough firepower to get over the line even if the performance isn't quite there and if they were to really click and burst into life they could blow away whoever the opposition is.

Jaysus that's a bad oul beating for Killyman in the opening league game in Div3.

Opening round fixtures show the need for 3B. Be surprised to see shocks anywhere and the expected favourites all winning comfortably.

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Not sure what the issue is. I just assumed Ruairi McCullagh overtook him and he was dropped.

I think that is the case. Conor Owens and Noah Grimes no bad players to be springing from the bench for an impact. Paddy McCann also had a positive impact of the bench for them.
In a game that could have got away from them, especially the stage where the referee bizarrely penalized Daly and McHugh and led to two Derry scores, the character shown by the team was incredible. Fair play to them young men. Get them togged out in Ballybofey.

[Eskra]

Opening round fixtures show the need for 3B. Be surprised to see shocks anywhere and the expected favourites all winning comfortably.

Eskra vs Killyman
CNG vs Augher
Strabane vs Derrytesk
Urney vs Killeeshil
Glenelly vs Brackaville
Aghaloo vs Tattyreagh
Donaghmore III vs Brocagh
Errigal III vs Drumquin

[Eskra]

Junior league starting this weekend. What are we thinking this year? Killeeshil very hard to look past, expecting a big year from them. In terms of dark horses, I'd be looking at drumquin and glenelly. Two good young sides with plenty of quality.

Eskra vs Killyman
CNG vs Augher
Strabane vs Derrytesk
Urney vs Killeeshil
Glenelly vs Brackaville
Aghaloo vs Tattyreagh
Donaghmore III vs Brocagh
Errigal III vs Drumquin

Did Killeeshil get any men back that they were missing last year? Might not be as straight forward as you would think if they haven't. Strabane will have plenty to say about promotion this year now that the glory hunters are back on board.

It would make sense for Ben Cullen to rejoin this group now. He wasnt eligible last night, once he came on against Donegal as sub last Sunday. Tyrone dont play again until after the U20s is complete. Would be a serious addition to this panel of players

Does he start? O'Hare Daly Rafferty are nailed on and I wouldn't be completely confident on him taking Brolly's place. Maybe take Devlin's place at Wing Forward.

Not much in the game throughout but Derry had a 10 minute spell where if they had a couple of 2 footed forwards they could have got a lead. Plenty of talent on show and interesting to see who will kick on

Tyrone be looking a reasonable return out of this squad. Rafferty, Daly, Hughes, O'Neill, McCullagh, McElholm, Potter, O'Hare, McAneney would be the obvious players that would offer something to the Senior panel.

[EirGrid Ulster U20 Final: Tyrone triumph following penalty shootout]

EirGrid Ulster U20 Final: Tyrone triumph following penalty shootout

EirGrid Ulster U20 Football Championship Final
Tyrone 3-10 Derry 2-13 AET
Tyrone win 3-1 on penalties

Tyrone's second EirGrid Ulster U20 Football Championship title in three years was won in dramatic fashion as they edged out Derry in a penalty shoot-out at BOX-IT Athletic Grounds in Armagh. Goalkeeper Conor McAneney emerged as the hero by saving Derry's first threes spot kicks, and it was left to Noah Grimes to slot home the winner..
The sides had been deadlocked on 1-11 to 2-8 at the end of normal time, but a Ryan McNicholl helped the Oak Leafers to a four point lead in extra-time. However, the Red Hands refused toe admit defeat, and pressed with passion and courage to get themselves back in contention with substitutes Ruairi McHugh, with a goal, and Conor Owens, with the game's 10th equaliser, bringing them level.
Niall O'Donnell got Derry off the mark as they made the more positive start to a game that started with both sides setting up with a fortified defensive structure. They stretched the Tyrone cover for Shea McCann to move inside and cap a weaving run with a well executed score, but Ronan Cassidy and Conor O'Neill were both on target at the other end to keep the Red Hands close. But Derry contrived an 11th minute goal, slicing a hole in the Tyrone defence as Ruairi Forbes and Danny McDermott combined, and it was Johnny McGuckian who cut in from the right to send a low shot past Conor McAneney. Tyrone hit back with a goal inside a minute, Shea O'Hare finishing from close range after Joey Clarke's shot was blocked. Clarke denied the Oaks a second goal with a brilliant block on McGuckian, but they continued to press strongly with the wind in their backs, going back in front through O'Donnell. Tyrone knocked them back with another goal, midfielder Conor O'Neill driving at the opposition defence before slipping the ball inside for Ruairi McCullagh to smash home his shot off the underside of the crossbar. However, they went in level at the break, Ronan Walls bringing Derry level at 1-6 to 2-3.
Danny McDermott had Dery back in front, but it swung back in Tyrone's favour as wing back Odhran Brolly pressed forward to pick off the lead score. And a couple of Eoin McElholm gems had the Red Hands ahead by a point going into the final quarter. The probing runs of Johnny McGuckian and the energy of corner back Fionn McEldowney propelled Derry forward again, and substitute Rory McGill fired over the leveller. After Oisin Doherty had converted his third free of the evening, McCullagh had the sides level for the ninth time. Both sides had chances to win it, but the closing ten minutes failed to produce a score, and it ended deadlocked at 1-11 to 2-8.
Defensive heroics from Rory Small and Conleth McGrogan helped restrict Tyrone to a single point, and Derry gave themselves a massive boost at the end of the first spell of added time with a Ryan McNicholl goal to lead by 2-13 to 2-9 at the turnaround.
Substitute Ruairi McHugh punched home a third Tyrone goal two minutes after the restart to plunge a gripping contest right back into the balance, and a superb equaliser from Conor Owens set up a penalty shoot-out.

Scorers for Tyrone: R McCullagh 1-2 (1f), S O'Hare, R McHugh 1-0 each, R Cassidy 0-3 (1f), E McElholm 0-2, C O'Neill, C Owens, O Brolly 0-1 each.
Scorers for Derry: O Doherty 0-4 (3fs), J McGuckian, R McNicholl 1-0 each, S McCann, N O'Donnell, R McGill 0-2 each, D McDermott, C McGrogan, R Walls 0-1 each.

Tyrone: C McAneney; J Clarke, B Hughes, Conor Devlin; S O'Hare, M Rafferty, O Brolly; R Fox, C O'Neill; Cormac Devlin, E McElholm, G Potter; R McCullagh, R Cassidy, C Daly.
Subs: F Nelis for Conor Devlin (21), R McHugh for Brolly (42), P McCann for Fox (50), N Grimes for Cassidy (55), C Owens for O'Neill (70).

Derry: C Armstrong; F McEldowney, D McDermott, R Small; C McGrogan, P McGurk, R Walls; R Forbes, C Heron; C Spiers, J McGuckian; R Walls; N O'Donnell, C Chambers, O Doherty.
Subs: R McNicholl for McCann (HT), E Higgins for Spiers (36), R McGill for Chambers (44), D McPeake for Walls (55), T Rogers for Heron (73), F Donnelly for Rafferty (73).

Referee: D Boylan (Monaghan).

Tyrone U20 Team V Monaghan - Ulster U20 Semi Final (Live On SportTG4)

1. Conor McAneney (Glenelly)
2. Joey Clarke (Donaghmore)
3. Ben Hughes (Donaghmore)
4. Conor Devlin (Ardboe)
5. Shea O'Hare (Ardboe)
6. Michael Rafferty (Killyclogher)
7. Odhran Brolly (Gortin)
8. Ronan Fox (Loughmacrory)
9. Conor O'Neill (Donaghmore)
10. Cormac Devlin (Ardboe)
11. Eoin McElholm (Loughmacrory)
12. Gavin Potter (Killyclogher)
13. Conor Owens (Beragh)
14. Ronan Cassidy (Donaghmore)
15. Callum Daly (Omagh)

16. Conan McGarvey (Donaghmore)
17. Fiachra Donnelly (Beragh)
18. Paddy McCann (Beragh)
19. Noah Grimes (Donaghmore)
20. Ruairi McCullagh (Loughmacrory)
21. Liam Og Mossey (Gortin)
22. Hugh J Cunningham (Pomeroy)
23. Ronan Donnelly (Donaghmore)
24. Callan Kelly (Cookstown)

25. Barry McMenamin (Aghyaran)
26. Shane Hughes (Clonoe)
27. Caolan Donnelly (Fintona)
28. Ruairi McHugh (Coalisland)
29. Fiachra Nelis (Edendork)
30. Oisin Gormley (Drumquin)