Tyrone’s Minor Footballers delivered a sensational comeback to claim the 2025 Electric Ireland All-Ireland MFC title, edging out Kerry by the narrowest of margins in a pulsating finale at St Conleth’s Park, Newbridge.
With just minutes remaining, Gerard Donnelly’s young Red Hands trailed by four and looked destined to fall just short in their bid for a first minor crown since 2010. But a late surge, capped by Diarmuid Martin’s last-gasp winner, saw them snatch victory in one of the most dramatic finishes the competition has seen.
Martin, drafted into the starting line-up as a late replacement for West Ham-bound Joel Kerr, repaid that faith in full. Having scored twice earlier in the contest, he was alert in the dying seconds to collect a rebound off the post and slot the decisive point – writing himself into Tyrone GAA folklore.
Kerry had looked to have done enough. The Munster champions held a 1-7 to 0-8 lead at the break – a position of strength considering they had played into the wind. Their goal came courtesy of Ben Kelliher, who finished brilliantly after Danny Murphy burst through from deep. The wing-back had been a constant thorn in Tyrone’s side with his aggressive running and quick link-up play.
Tyrone had their own purple patches in the first half – a fine two-point salvo from James Mulgrew and a free from Eoin Long putting them three up at one stage – but Kerry’s late burst flipped the momentum before half-time.
The second half was an end-to-end tussle. Points from Gearóid White and Kevin Griffin stretched Kerry’s lead to four, but Tyrone’s response was emphatic. Matthew Daly, introduced off the bench, won a crucial penalty after being felled by Seán Curtin. Peter Colton stepped up and buried the kick to the top corner, igniting the Tyrone comeback.
Colton would go on to add 1-2 overall and was central to Tyrone’s late push, scoring a pressure free to level the game in stoppage time. Then came the winner – a curling shot from Colton struck the upright, but Martin reacted first and clipped over the score that sealed the All-Ireland minor title for Tyrone.
James Mulgrew and Eoin Long combined for eight points between them in a powerful midfield display, while Padraig Goodman marshalled the defence superbly to contain the dangerous Kelliher in the final quarter.
There was late drama as Kelliher threatened to steal it for Kerry with a surging solo run, but Tyrone held firm to cap off a memorable day – and maintain hope of an extraordinary treble, with their U20 side already crowned champions and the seniors still in All-Ireland contention.
For manager Gerard Donnelly, the win offered sweet redemption after falling short in the 2021 final. And for Tyrone football, the future looks dazzlingly bright.
By Rory Cox Mon 7th Jul
