With five starters from last season’s All-Ireland-winning team, the Oak Leafers were favourites and opened the scoring through Young after a pass from Caomhan McNally but Armagh were level when Eoin Duffy slotted over a free.
Dillon’s long-range effort nosed Derry ahead before Armagh were level again with a Seán Woods point on the run after Diarmaid O’Rourke incision.
A free from Young had Derry ahead again before their half goal chance was averted when Gavin O’Rourke caught a Luke Grant cross.
Keelan McEntee kicked a fine score after Armagh took a more direct approach with Dillon’s free putting Derry 0-4 to 0-3 ahead.
With 10 minutes to the break Armagh found the net. Ross Marsden’s direct ball was won by Jack Loughran before Duffy slotted home. Derry had a goal chance at the other end with Young blasting over before points from Dillon and James Sargent helped them lead 0-7 to 1-3 lead at the break.
The Orchard County lost Marsden to a black card and Derry made the extra man count to go three clear before Armagh hit back with points from Aaron Garvey and Duffy. The impressive Luke Grant and a fifth Dillon score proved the insurance with Armagh ‘keeper Finnegan making a save to deny Ruairi Biggs.
There was still drama in the Derry square late on with Grant’s block ensuring they closed the door and retained their title.
SCORERS – Derry: E Young (2f), G Dillon (3f) 0-5 each; J Sargent, L Grant 0-1 each. Armagh: E Duffy 1-3 (3f); A Garvey, Fionn Toale, S Woods and K McEntee 0-1 each
DERRY: J McCloy; C McNally, R Canavan, R Collins; L Grant, C Ó Mianáin, D McGuckin; J Sargent, C McBride; E Young, G Dillon, C Hargan; C McCullagh, R Biggs, D Rocks. Subs: P Haran for C McNally (43), C Rocks for C Hargan (48), T McHugh for C McBride (54), G McIvor for C McCullagh (61)
ARMAGH: M Finnegan; T Fox, G O’Rourke, C Wilson; Fergus Toale, S Woods, D O’Rourke; J Loughran, D O’Callaghan; A Garvey, J McCooe, K McEntee; Fionn Toale, E Duffy, R Marsden. Subs: L Bellew for R Marsden (38), S Loughran for A Garvey (54), O Gribben for O’Callaghan (54), C Dunne for Woods (62), P Comiskey for D O’Rourke (62).
REF: B McMenamin (Cavan)
