Derry cruised into the Ulster minor hurling final thanks to a one-man show from corner-forward Hugh Pat Kelly, whose 1-7 accounted for more than half his side's tally and it was only when he went off injured midway through the second half that Down managed some sort of comeback. lead early on, Kelly's goal coming after four minutes and it was not until the 14th minute that Down registered through Peter Gilmore.

Scorers - Derry: C McKenna (0-1), D McGill (0-3, two frees), S McLaughlin (0-1), J Grant (0-1) P Bradley (0-1), HP Kelly (1-7, five frees).

Down: C Sloan (0-2), P Gilmore (0-3), D McCusker (0-1), F Murphy (0-1), E Clarke (1-0).