Yahoo Sports All-Ireland Minor finals have been 'diluted'
Derry manager Damian McErlain believes the All-Ireland Minor Football Championship final is being "diluted" after being moved away from Croke Park.
McErlain's side face Armagh on Sunday in a repeat of the Ulster Championship final, which the Oak Leafers won 0-12 to 1-7.
The decider traditionally used to be the pre-cursor to the All-Ireland senior final at the GAA's headquarters.
The 2024 final will be played at Healy Park in Omagh and is the third decider in a row to be played away from Dublin.
Derry defeated Monaghan in last year's decider, with 13,000 in attendance at the Athletic Grounds.
"A lot of these lads won't ever play at Croke Park," said McErlain.
"It doesn't have to be before the All-Ireland final, it could be before any of the senior Championship fixtures - semi-finals, quarter-finals, whatever.
"It's the opportunity to win an All-Ireland minor title at Croke Park."
McErlain feels the changes for the minors - who are under-17 players - are "starting to get ridiculous".
"They are diluting it recently with no speeches, no interviews after games, no man of the match.
"It's starting to get ridiculous now. Nobody has ever communicated properly as to why that is.
"That's what bothers me and even when I do interviews like this I don't really think there is anybody listening."
McErlain braced for 'serious battle'
McErlain says he is expecting a "serious battle right to the finish" when his side take on Armagh.
After facing each other in the Ulster final, Derry have defeated Dublin and Kerry to reach the All-Ireland final while Armagh powered past Longford and Mayo.
Derry have won both matches between the sides this season, with a 2-18 to 0-7 win in the Ulster Championship group stages before a two-point victory in the provincial final.
Their run has parallels with their win in 2023, when Derry defeat Monaghan in the provincial and All-Ireland finals.
"You don't think about getting this far when you start out with a new group. You get the team together and see what you have, and then build on that.
"We have played Armagh twice and they are an excellent side. They have really kicked on from Ulster with two huge wins.
"It is going to be a serious battle right to the finish. It's no surprise that they are back in it.
"It's been a while since the Ulster final and the two teams have developed since that. We'll see on the day who has developed better.
"You can prepare all you like but you have to go out on the grass and do it."
