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Paddy Tierney

Derry U20 semi-final against Donegal rescheduled following Ulster GAA ruling

The Ulster U20 semi-final between Derry and Donegal has been brought forward to this weekend following a meeting of the Ulster CCCC on Tuesday morning.

The game will now be played on Saturday, April 8 at 4pm at Owenbeg after Derry won a coin toss for home advantage.

The second semi-final between Down and Monaghan will be played on Wednesday, April 12 at 7.30pm with Down having home advantage.

Read more: Conor Glass injury a real concern admits Derry boss Rory Gallagher

The decision comes following growing pressure regarding a controversial ruling which means players cannot play U20 and senior Championship games in any seven-day period.

That put Derry in a difficult position as five of their senior panel are also on Marty Boyle’s U20 squad.

The game against Donegal was originally pencilled in for next Wednesday night with Derry’s Ulster SFC against Fermanagh taking place in Brewster Park on Saturday week.

That left Boyle and senior manager Rory Gallagher with a decision to make over Eoin McEvoy, Lachlan Murray, Niall O’Donnell, Matthew Downey and Mark Doherty. All bar Doherty featured in Sunday’s Division Two final defeat to Dublin in Croke Park.

Eoin McEvoy, pictured in action against Dublin's Ciaran Kilkenny, has been a regular starter for Derry in his first year in the senior ranks (©INPHO/Evan Treacy)

After Sunday’s clash, Gallagher stated that a request to bring the game forward had been rejected by the Ulster Council, but the decision has now been reversed.

Derry defeated Fermanagh 3-12 to 0-8 in their Ulster U20 quarter-final while Donegal needed a penalty shootout to see off the challenge of Antrim in Ballybofey.

Conor Laverty’s Down, meanwhile, caused a huge shock to defeat last year’s All-Ireland champions Tyrone to set up a semi-final meeting with Monaghan following their win over 2022 Ulster finalists Cavan.

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