Derry minor with Milford roots looking to capture All-Ireland glory this weekend

It will be a big day for the parish of Milford this Sunday as Derry minor Turlough McHugh looks to capture the All-Ireland minor championship against Armagh.

Despite the fact that Turlough lives in Drumsurn, where he plays his club football. His dad Joe is from Forquar, Milford. Turlough is the grandson of Mary McHugh and the late John, a founding member of the Donegal Sports Star Awards, and a former Chairman of the Donegal Junior Football League, who passed away in 2013.

Turlough’s cousins Darragh and Shane Black, Conor McHugh, and Gavin Grier all play for Milford's senior team.

McHugh was a substitute for the Oak Leaf County, who defeated Armagh on a scoreline of 0-12 to 1-7 at O'Neill's Healy Park in Omagh to reclaim the provincial title they won in 2023, but started in the centre-half forward position in the All-Ireland semi-final against Kerry, which they one by one-point two weeks ago.

After victories over Tyrone, Armagh, and Dublin to reach the last four, Damien McErlain's team once again proved their character and quality against a formidable Kerry side to reach the final.

Derry will now play Armagh in Sunday's decider in Omagh and the circumstances for the Oak Leaf County are similar to last year. They also played an Ulster rival in the 2023 final in the form of Monaghan, and just like last year, they have played Armagh twice already, beating them in their Ulster group and then in the provincial final.

This is the county's fourth national final at this grade in eight seasons. They won the 2020 and 2023 deciders and have claimed five of the last 10 Ulster titles. Manager Damian McErlain has had a huge input across his two stints. With the Derry minor teams that he has managed, they have won a remarkable 28 of their 32 games.

However, with opponents Armagh, managed by former Donegal boss Aidan O'Rourke, and with ex-Orchard County senior Stefan Forker coaching them, they will pose a serious threat.