Ulster Colleges

[trailer]

Both Academy midfielders were excellent - Hughes was a prominent threat, reliable from frees, but i thought their No. 9 was even better. Cant mind his name now. Lost count of how many clean kick outs he won, always an outlet on the Academy kickouts. Liam McGeary showed very well too in the SPAD attack
Agree on Noah Grimes, fantastic prospect. One to watch with Tyrone U20s this year

It was a really enjoyable semi final - especially when you consider that not that long ago, both these sets of players would have in all likelihood have been playing for the Academy. If Omagh CBS do indeed lift this years McRory cup, the emergence of Donaghmore convent taking boys in has cost the Academy a McRory.

Very true RE: the emergence of SJD. HTC as well. Historically those lads would all have been open to SPAD and certainly Father Faul would have ensured any talented players got a "football scholarship"

[imtommygunn]

Abbey winning 16-3 in the mclarnon. They're supposed to be backboned by four masters players so are probably very strong.

[johnnycool]

Abbey winning 16-3 in the mclarnon. They're supposed to be backboned by four masters players so are probably very strong.

Are the schools in the 26, kids a year older?

[imtommygunn]

I wouldn't have thought so no... what makes you say that? If they were they'd win a lot more than they do at ulster level.

[Mikhailov]

Both Academy midfielders were excellent - Hughes was a prominent threat, reliable from frees, but i thought their No. 9 was even better. Cant mind his name now. Lost count of how many clean kick outs he won, always an outlet on the Academy kickouts. Liam McGeary showed very well too in the SPAD attack
Agree on Noah Grimes, fantastic prospect. One to watch with Tyrone U20s this year

It was a really enjoyable semi final - especially when you consider that not that long ago, both these sets of players would have in all likelihood have been playing for the Academy. If Omagh CBS do indeed lift this years McRory cup, the emergence of Donaghmore convent taking boys in has cost the Academy a McRory.

Hughes has a fantastic strike on him for free kicks. Massive asset having a player who can do that. He played the majority of the game as full forward, so disagree with his impact at midfield. The number nine Dillon O'Neill had a very good game but shades of Holy Trinity last year as he is 19 years old playing against players one or two years younger than himself. Grimes is a great prospect but he will have better days on the football field, his 1-01 showcased his talent but he was also guilty of some very poor shots throughout the game. Ultimately what cost Donaghmore was the number 15 Corrigan blazing a goal chance over the bar when he had a simple chance to square the ball for a palm to the empty net second half, he puts that across and Donaghmore go three up they would've pushed clear. Joey Clarke the best for Donaghmore, even though the referee was very very harsh on him. CBS have a great chance of back to back MacRory's but they have struggled with teams who have superior size and Dungannon would be quite a bit bigger than Omagh, so 50/50 game.

Agree on Joey Clarke. I felt he was the best player on the pitch and the referee was sore on him particularly on one occasion mid way through the second half at a crucial stage.

[johnnycool]

Abbey winning 16-3 in the mclarnon. They're supposed to be backboned by four masters players so are probably very strong.

12 of the starting 15 were four masters and another 8 in the subs.

[J70]

Abbey winning 16-3 in the mclarnon. They're supposed to be backboned by four masters players so are probably very strong.

12 of the starting 15 were four masters and another 8 in the subs.

AVS would draw most of their student body from Four Masters and parts of the St Nauls and Naomh Brid clubs. Usually I'd be surprised there's not more St Nauls players in there, but Four Masters have an extremely strong minor set-up at the moment, as anyone watching the Ulster club underage the last couple of years would know.

[twohands!!!]

Abbey winning 16-3 in the mclarnon. They're supposed to be backboned by four masters players so are probably very strong.

Are the schools in the 26, kids a year older?

Nope - same ages.

There used to be a 6 month difference years back that favoured Ulster (all nine from what I recall/not just the six)

[johnnycool]

Abbey winning 16-3 in the mclarnon. They're supposed to be backboned by four masters players so are probably very strong.

Are the schools in the 26, kids a year older?

Nope - same ages.

There used to be a 6 month difference years back that favoured Ulster (all nine from what I recall/not just the six)

I think it's down as an U19 competition but realistically unless someone is doing a resit most upper 6th or whatever it's called now would be U18.5
Could be the same in the 26, I don't know

[Estimator]

Abbey winning 16-3 in the mclarnon. They're supposed to be backboned by four masters players so are probably very strong.

Are the schools in the 26, kids a year older?

Nope - same ages.

There used to be a 6 month difference years back that favoured Ulster (all nine from what I recall/not just the six)

I think it's down as an U19 competition but realistically unless someone is doing a resit most upper 6th or whatever it's called now would be U18.5
Could be the same in the 26, I don't know

Its Under 19 for that reason and they rejigged the playing rules for the MacRory this year, regarding Yr 15 students (Repeat U6th students). 
If you have decided to repeat your final year in secondary school, you can only play MacRory Cup football if you are returning to the same school that you completed the previous 7 years in. Cuts out any school recruiting students/footballers who have left school, but could still play another year of MacRory Cup.

[clarshack]

Abbey winning 16-3 in the mclarnon. They're supposed to be backboned by four masters players so are probably very strong.

Are the schools in the 26, kids a year older?

Nope - same ages.

There used to be a 6 month difference years back that favoured Ulster (all nine from what I recall/not just the six)

can remember Dungannon Academy in 1991 losing players for the Hogan Semi due to a 6 month difference rule.

[imtommygunn]

Maghera lost a few late 90s too. (Plus suspensions from that bug fight too haha)

[Taylor]

Abbey winning 16-3 in the mclarnon. They're supposed to be backboned by four masters players so are probably very strong.

Are the schools in the 26, kids a year older?

Nope - same ages.

There used to be a 6 month difference years back that favoured Ulster (all nine from what I recall/not just the six)

Maybe my mind is playing tricks but I always thought the rule DIDNT favour Ulster teams and they used to lose players when they went to the Hogan

[bennydorano]

Abbey winning 16-3 in the mclarnon. They're supposed to be backboned by four masters players so are probably very strong.

Are the schools in the 26, kids a year older?

Nope - same ages.

There used to be a 6 month difference years back that favoured Ulster (all nine from what I recall/not just the six)

Maybe my mind is playing tricks but I always thought the rule DIDNT favour Ulster teams and they used to lose players when they went to the Hogan

Yes,definitely used to be that way, not sure when it was equalised.

[the_daddy]

MacRory was u18.5 & Hogan was minor for many years but they all when to 18.5 at some stage and I'm not sure when it changed, presumably the 90s. The transition year in the South gives three years in the leaving cert cycle in some cases so this is why there's the perception of them having the year extra.