Minors seal Markham Cup after a classic clash with Kerry

Tyrone 1-16  Kerry 1-15

A GAME for the ages ended on Sunday with the Red Hand cheers ringing loud as they welcomed Tyrone’s ninth All-Ireland Minor Championship title thanks to the efforts of teenagers who became men in the cauldron of this classic clash at Newbridge.

New heroes stood up throughout the field as the grandest of finishes clinched the Thomas Markham Cup.
Padraig Donaghy received the famous trophy from GAA President, Jarlath Burns, and lauded the efforts of his teammates and management.

It was Diarmuid Martin who fired over the winning score. His point was taken with the same confidence that saw Vincent Gormley secure the vital turnover as Kerry searched for the winner with the very last play.

Each of these young Tyrone lads played their part. This was a team win, and the captain took time to acknowledge the absence of attacker, Joel Kerr. The future for him lies with West Ham FC, while his teammates look forward to the bright prospect of potential U-20 and senior glory ahead.

Firm forecasts in favour of either team were rare entering this first All-Ireland Final clash between the counties in 21 years.

As a result, there was a sense of nervousness from the respective sides during the opening stages. Most of the talk before the big match surrounded the unavailability of Josh Kerr. He didn’t play and was replaced by Diarmuid Martin as the Red Hands sought to gain a foothold during the early stages with the wind.

Points from Darren McAnespie and Peter Colton settled them. But it was clear even at that stage that this wasn’t going to be a clear-cut victory for Tyrone or Kerry. Instead, the sizeable attendance settled down for a closely-contested final in which the two sides battled hard to try and grab the initiative.

It was low-scoring as well, and Diarmuid Martin’s point for Tyrone right at the end of the first quarter edged them 0-3 to 0-2 ahead. But the indications were that they needed to tighten things up in the defence.

Elliot Kerr, James Daly and Padraig Goodman had to be on their toes to thwart a Kerry attack in which Ben Kelliher, Tadgh O’Connell and Alex Touhy were the main threats. Their running along the right wing was causing problems, as highlighted when Alex Touhy raced through to bring the teams level at 0-3 apiece.

Tyrone, though, were also working hard. Cathal Farley, Thomas Meenan and Darren McAnespie were spearheading the attacks, while the tactical running of Peter Colton, Eoin Long and James Mulgrew was also having a positive impact.

That calm approach was reflected to some extent on the scoreboard. James Mulgrew capitalised on a good pass from Darren McAnespie to score, before a well-worked team move also involving Cathal Farley and Aodhan Quinn resulted in Eoin Long firing over.

This was more like it from Tyrone and despite some response from Kerry’s Ben Kelliher, the Ulster champions now looked capable of pressing ahead. Then, James Mulgrew fired over a great two-pointer before Eoin Long stretched the Red Hand lead to three,0-8 to 0-5.

Now was the time to forge even further ahead. But the small margins which so often impact on big games allowed Kerry back into conention; Geraoid White and Danny Murphy reduced the deficit and heralded the opening goal of the final.

It came just before the break when a run from Danny Murphy saw him place Ben Kelliher who made no mistake in hitting the net.

The Munster champions led by 1-7 to 0-8, and the pressure was on Tyrone to respond. Of course, Tyrone have regularly found themselves in difficulties at half-time throughout this unbeaten 2025 season. Hopes were high as a result that they would be capable of once more pressing ahead when it mattered most on the resumption.

Urgent action was required from the Red Hands at the start of that second half. They produced it, too, as Aodhan Quinn raced through to settle them again.

Then Eoin Long brought the teams level, and the stage was set for more of the same. This was developing into an even better half of football than what had been witnessed in the first period. James Daly, Thomas Meenan, Padraig Donaghy and Peter Farley worked hard to create openings. However, their efforts didn’t always yield the required dividends.

Patient build-ups promised much, but often failed to result in the required outcome. Swapped points between Diarmuid Martin and Tadgh O’Connell maintained the status quo. Eoin Long reduced the deficit to one again on a score of 1-10 to 0-12.

But the going was becoming tougher for Tyrone and a golden spell for Kerry saw them push for victory. Small slips, the tightest of margins and missed breaking balls increased the tension. For Tyrone, it was developing into a case of now or never.

Kevin Griffin registered a two pointer for the Kingdom. Suddenly they were three ahead. Then Ben Killher raced through on goal. He was looking very dangerous until Elliot Kerr produced a brilliant interception. The resultant 45 was converted by Griffin – now Kerry were four ahead.

It was tense, exciting and brilliantly breathless. Eoin Long hit the post as the Red Hands pressed. Matthew F Daly fired over to give Tyrone more hope. The score was 1-13 to 0-13. Tyrone still trailed, but there was a renewed vigour.

Eoin Long and James Daly worked a well-taken point for the full-forward. Thomas Meenan, Cathal Farley and Peter Colton prompted and probed in search of a breakthrough. Then the long-awaited chance finally arrived.

A foul on Matthew Daly brought a penalty. Up stepped Peter Colton with the hopes of a county at his feet. He scored the goal with confidence. Tyrone were ahead now, only just, but the one point lead was very valuable.

Now the game was set for the grand finale, and what a finale it proved to be. The tension as normal time ebbed away was almost unbearable. The coolest people in St Conleth’s Park were the 30 players bidding for glory with their respective teams.

Danny Murphy and Ben Kelliher edged Kerry ahead. The score stood at 1-15 to 1-14, as four minutes of added time were announced.

Tyrone needed something, anything, to bring them back from the brink. Peter Colton delivered the equaliser from a free, and then up stepped Diarmuid Martin with the point to win an All-Ireland.

Back came Kerry for one final opportunity. Ben Kelliher went with intent in his heart to snatch the winning goal. Vincent Gormley was there to deny him, and clear the ball just as the final whistle confirmed that the Thomas Markham Cup would be back in Tyrone for the first time since 2010.

Scorers
Tyrone: Peter Colton 1-2 1-0 pen, 1f, Eoin Long 0-5 3f, Diarmuid Martin 0-3, James Mulgrew 0-3 1x2pt, Aodhan Quinn 0-1, Darren McAnespie 0-1, Matthew F Daly 0-1.

Kerry:  Ben Kelliher 1-2, Gearoid White 0-4 1x2pt, 1f, Kevin Griffin 0-3 1x2pt, 1 45, Danny Murphy 0-2, Tadhg O’Connell 0-2, John Curtain 0-1, Alex Touhy 0-1.

Teams

Tyrone: Ronan Donnelly, Elliot Kerr, Padraig Goodman, Ciaran McCrystal, Aodhan Quinn, James Daly, Thomas Meenan, James Mulgrew, Padraig Donghy, Darren McAnespie, Peter Colton, Cathal Farley, Joel Kerr, Eoin Long, Pearse McDonald.Subs: Matthew F Daly for D McAnespie 44, Vincent Gormley for P McDonald, Mark Kennedy for E Long 59.

Kerry: Ruairi Kennedy, Ronan Sheridan, Eoghan Joy, Tadhg O Slatara, Danny Murphy, David Sargent, Marcus Clifford, Maidhc O Se, John Curtain, Mark O’Carroll, Gearoid White, Alex Touhy, Ben Kelliher, Kevin Griffin, Tadhg O’Connell. Subs: Nick Lacy for T O’Connell 44, James Kissan for D Sergant 46, Padraig O Maininn for M O’Carroll 53.

Referee: Thomas Murphy, Galway.