The first shots were fired in the 2026 Ulster U20FC last night when Donegal and Derry got the better of Fermanagh and Derry respectively in Group A.

Missing their captain and Young Footballer of the Year Finnbarr Roarty, Donegal survived a huge scare to edge out Fermanagh by 2-15 to 3-11 in Buncrana. The underdogs threw down the gauntlet by racing into an early 1-5 to 0-0 lead with Mattie McDermott raising the game's first green flag.

Shane Callaghan eventually opened the home side's account before two goals in the space of three minutes from Kevin Muldoon (penalty) and Donnacha O Baoill tied up the scoring. However, Daire Chapman replied with a second major for Ronan Gallagher's charges to restore their lead, 2-8 to 2-6, at the break.

Boosted by a third major from Rory Smyth, the visitors continued to lead up until injury-time, but a late Donegal rally which yielded four unanswered points - including the winner from Kalvin McLaughlin - saw them snatch victory from the jaws of defeat. 

In Castleblayney, Derry overcame Monaghan by 0-14 to 1-8 after leading by 0-6 to 0-5 at half-time.

The hosts fired over the first three points, but Derry fought back to lead at the short whistle. Max McGinnity, who finished with 1-5, levelled with the only goal five minutes after the restart, but the Oak Leafers hit back with scores from Cahir Spiers, Tommy Rogers and Connall Higgins to run out winners.

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