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gaa · Saturday 1 August 2026 · TBC 
All-Ireland Minor Football Championship Final 2026 - Derry in last four
At TBC · TBC
At TBC · TBC
Derry’s minor footballers had a compelling run through the 2026 All-Ireland Minor Football Championship, beating Roscommon 2-16 to 1-13 in the quarter-final to reach the last four of the competition. For GAA followers in Derry, the minor grade carries particular weight - it is where county football futures are shaped, and this group of under-18 players gave supporters a genuine summer to follow.
The All-Ireland Minor Football Championship - sponsored by Electric Ireland - runs each summer as a competition for players under 18, sitting alongside the senior inter-county series. It is a fast, direct style of football: the players are at the peak of their teenage athleticism, with the tactical discipline of senior football not yet fully bedded in. Games tend to be open and high-scoring.
Derry’s 2026 campaign included an Ulster Minor Championship run that brought them to a provincial final against near-neighbours Tyrone, eventually losing that decider 2-16 to 1-12 in Letterkenny. They recovered well for the All-Ireland series, defeating Roscommon convincingly to set up a semi-final against Cork. The four semi-finalists - Cork, Tyrone, Kildare and Derry - represented strong provincial credentials across all four provinces.
The All-Ireland Minor final itself typically takes place as a standalone fixture or as a curtain-raiser before a senior match, with venues in recent years including Tullamore, Portlaoise, Thurles and Newbridge rather than Croke Park. Tickets for minor games are generally good value, starting from around £10 for adults.
Derry city is well connected by road and bus. The Bus Eireann Expressway service runs from Dublin and several northern towns; Translink operates services across Northern Ireland. By road from Belfast it is roughly 1 hour and 20 minutes via the A6. The city has several car parks close to the centre, and GAA fixtures at Celtic Park on Lone Moor Road are served by street parking in the surrounding streets.
For fixtures at neutral All-Ireland venues, check gaa.ie and derrygaa.ie for confirmed locations closer to the date.
Derry is one of Ireland’s most engaging cities for a day out - the old city walls, the Bogside murals and the Museum of Free Derry are all within easy walking distance of each other. Pair a GAA fixture with a walk around the walls for a full afternoon. There is more to see in Derry and across Co. Derry.
Heading to TBC in Derry? Derry has plenty more to see. Read the Derry area guide, find what else is on, and explore the towns and villages nearby.