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The Southern Gaels v O'Donovan Rossa game has been postponed due to the predicted awful weather tomorrow, the Dromore v St. Eunan's game still goes ahead at 2:00 at the minute

Dromore v St. Eunan's Letterkenny

Tyrone U16 champions Dromore face a very difficult task in the Paul McGirr Ulster U16 Club Champions Tournament this Saturday when they face Donegal champions St. Eunan's Letterkenny.  Dromore, appearing in the competition for the first time as Tyrone champions in the tournament's 16 year history, defeated Enniskillen Gaels 1-14 to 2-07 in the preliminary round and they will be hoping home advantage and a large St. Dympna's support will drive them on as they seek to progress to the semi final.  However in St. Eunan's they will be facing a team well accustomed to the tournament as regular visitors and a team who have featured regularly in semi finals and finals in recent years.  Having also secured the Donegal U14 title this season youth football is certainly on a high in the Letterkenny club and under the management of Paul McGovern they will be entering the competition with a great degree of confidence.  Having been defeated by rivals Sean MacCumhaills in the Donegal Northern Board final, St. Eunan's gained revenge over the same opposition in the county final.  Earlier in the competition St. Eunans also defeated pre tournament favourites Naomh Conaill and they also won the Ulster Og Sport title in 2014, defeating many of the teams in this years Paul McGirr tournament on the way to the title. 
Dromore though are a team who have been improving steadily throughout the season and emerged from a competitive Tyrone championship following a convincing replay victory over Loughmacrory.  Their performance in the preliminary round against Enniskillen Gaels was perhaps their best of the season so far and had they have been a bit more clinical in front of goals then the winning margin would have been much more convincing, however according to joint manager Joe Rafferty they cannot afford such profligacy as the tournament progresses "Our build up play at times against Enniskillen was superb but our final product was certainly not something that we were pleased with, it really is one part of our game which we must improve on if we are to reach the semi finals.  Our midfield pairing of Cahir Goodwin and Caolan McCarron dominated against the Fermanagh men and provided the perfect platform for us and we hope that they can repeat this performance on Saturday.  The experience of finally getting to play in the Paul McGirr tournament has been great for the boys and it has given everyone at the club a boost, hopefully on Saturday we can put in a performance worthy of the occasion and if we can be that more efficient up front then I don't think we will be too far away at the final whistle".  While the loss of inspirational full back Ciaran McDermott for the rest of the season has been a huge blow to Dromore team, Ruairi Teague, Caolan Slevin and Mark McGrade have been superb in defence and they quelled the Enniskillen threat superbly.  Up front the return to fitness after long term injury of Odhran Rafferty has been a huge boost and he along with Oran Sludden, Nathan McCarron and Pearse McNabb will prove a handful for the Letterkenny defence.  John MacRory was the goal scoring hero against Enniskillen and he will be hoping to maintain his recent rich scoring vein.  The highlight of the game though promises to be the midfield battle between the powerful Cahir Goodwin and St. Eunans towering Patrick McColgan.  The game has a 2:00 throw in at Gardrum Park and the game will be preceded at 12:00 by the other quarter final battle between Antrim champions O'Donovan Rossa and Cavan's Southern Gaels.  All proceeds from the games go to the Spirit Of Paul McGirr Trust in support of their work with the poor in Lusaka, Zambia.

Southern Gaels v O'Donovan Rossa

The third Quarter Final in the Pall McGirr U16 Club Champions Tournament takes place on Saturday morning at 12:00 in Gardrum Park Dromore and it is an intriguing tie between the highly promising Antrim champions O'Donovan Rossa and tournament debutants Southern Gaels of Cavan.  Both teams have had great season so far winning league and championship double's and indeed in Rossa's case it has been an extra special season having also secured the Antrim hurling title as well with 16 of their players being on both panels.  Rossa also have pedigree in the tournament having won it on their last visit and this is something team mentor Hugh McGettigan pointed to as a motivating factor "Having won the Paul McGirr in 2011 O'Donovan Rossa, Belfast are very happy to return to this  prestigious tournament. These current crop of lads stood on the sidelines 4 years ago cheering on their older club mates hoping some day they would reach the pinnacle of u16 club football in Ulster.  Having progressed from u14 with a winners and runners up medal in All Ireland Feile in hurling and football respectively, This team, this year have won all  county championships and league  titles in hurling and football undefeated. In progressing to the Paul McGirr Rossa had to overcome a strong All Saints team from Ballymena by 6 points in the county final.  We are looking forward to the challenge of Southern Gaels from Cavan on Saturday and expect a highly competitive game.  We thank the Dromore GAA people and the family of Paul McGirr for this opportunity to represent Antrim once again in 2015". 

Southern Gaels will be visiting Gardrum Park for the first time but with several players on the Cavan development squads they will not be short in confidence and won't be overawed by the occasion, joint manager Kevin Madden feels that the game can't come soon enough for his team "I would firstly like to thank the Dromore club and the organisers of the Paul McGirr Tournament for the invitation. This will be our first attendance at this very prestigious tournament and we are delighted to be taking part. I was delighted to be in attendance at the launch night and I was struck by the level of organisation and commitment by the club and the family of the foundation that is the Spirit of Paul McGirr Trust. For many of our young players this will be their opportunity to pitch themselves against the best under 16 players in Ulster and as such we are looking forward to our first game against O'Donovan Rossa on Saturday . As a group of players we have enjoyed a great season in our own County league and Championship and this is our opportunity to take it to another level ".  Southern Gaels overcame Cavan holders Ramor United and Crosserlough on their way to the Cavan title but have suffered a blow with the loss of star forward Oisin Pierson who scored the clinching goal in the county final.  They still have impressive performers in Ryan Madden, Peter Galligan, Eoin O'Reilly and Cian Madden.  However the Rossa boys will be entering the game as favourites and are being tipped by many to repeat their Paul McGirr success of 2011, as the first part of a double header on Saturday there will be huge interest in both games. 

Clann Eireann 2-14 v Bredagh 0-08
Armagh's Clann Eireann produced the performance of the Paul McGirr U16 Club Champions Tournament so far to easily dispose of a Bredagh team who came in to the tournament in high hopes having defeated holders Burren in the Down championship.  In a wind assisted first half, Bredagh took the early initiative with points from Ryan Lewsley, Jack Conlon and two from Rioghan Meehan.  A wonder save from Liam Francis denied the raiding Conlon a goal and several other goal chances were squandered as the Bredagh defence were constantly under pressure.  Full forward Shaun Lyttle registered Bredagh's first point with a superb 40 yard free into the face of the gale force wind.  Two further points from the impressive Tiernan Kelly and Aodhan McConville extended the Clann Eireann advantage, the pace and ball winning ability from man of the match McConville throughout the game was to be a constant thorn for the Bredagh back line.  Bredagh finally awakened from their slumber with the towering Cormac O'Rawe, Jake Carlin and the hard working Ronan Costello beginning to have a bigger influence on the game and two converted frees from Lyttle and Lorcan Fahy gave them hope going into the break 0-7 to 0-3 behind. 

The wind which was having a telling factor should have given the Down men great hope going into the second half and another Fahy free reduced the deficit.  However at this stage Clann Eireann really upped their game and showed incredible pace and passing ability combined with efficiency in front of goal to totally control the remainder of the game.  Kelly set the tone with a great score from a tight angle and a driving run from him tee'd up McConville for the first goal of the game.  Points from Ruairi McConville, Conlon, Aodhan McConville and another from Kelly extended the lead before Bredagh replies from Matthew Hamilton and Lyttle.  Sean McCarthy and Fahy swapped scores before Rioghan Meehan who was having a superb second half scored a brilliant individual goal for Clann Eireann dancing past several Bredagh defenders.  A point from Meehan and one in reply from Lyttle rounded out the game and Clann Eireann's manager Mairtin McConville stated that there would be much more to come from the Armagh boys "We didn't perform in the first half and missed a lot of chances, but the players spoke among themselves at half time and really upped their performance in the second half which we were very pleased with.  Our tackling, decision making and shooting improved immensely and we are really looking forward to the semi final now".

Teams – Clann Eireann: Chris McAlinden, Thomas French, Adam O'Connor, Rory Shine, Jack Conlon (0-2), Jack Haddock, Callum Magee, Conor Turbitt, Sean McCarthy (0-1), Rioghan Meehan (1-3, 1f), Tiernan Kelly (0-3), Ethan Kearney (0-1), Ruairi McConville (0-1), Aodhan McConville (1-2) and Ryan Lewsley (0-1).  Subs Oscar McKeagney for S McCarthy

Bredagh: Liam Francis, Cillian Durkan, Ruairi Green, Matthew McKeogh, Michael Napier, Jake Carln, Matthew McAreavey, Matthew Hamilton (0-1), Cormac O'Rawe, Ronan Costello, Liam O'Keefe, Jospeh Blayney, Eamon Carville, Shaun Lyttle (0-4, 3f) and Lorcan Fahy (0-3, 3f).  Subs Joseph McKee for M Napier, Tim Cunningham for R Green, Niall McFarland for L O'Keefe, Tiarnan Quinn for R Costello and Odhran Davis for C Durkan

Magherafelt O'Donovan Rossa 3-10 v Inniskeen 0-10

Magherafelt justified their favourites tag to become the first team into the semi finals of the Paul McGirr U16 Club Champions Tournament on Saturday but it was a game where the scoreline definitely did not reflect the game with Monaghan champions Inniskeen squandering a number of gilt edged goal scoring chances that would have swung the game in their favour.  Magherafelt started well and it took Inniskeen keeper Chris Martin to pull off a superb save to deny them an early goal.  Two early frees from Aidan Woods got Inniskeen off the mark but Magherafelt replied with points from Simon McErlain and midfielder Cormac Murphy, Murphy was to have a great influence in the game showing a superb work rate this throughout.  Attacking half back Declan Martin gave the Derry boys the lead before man of the match Caolan Coyle got the first goal of the game for them when he pounced on a rebound after another great save from Shane Martin.  Inniskeen showed their intentions by responding well, scoring three of the next four points through miidfielders Ciaran McNulty and Andrew  Woods as well as one from Aidan Woods.  Shea Donnelly kept Magherafelt in from with two points to go into the half time break 1-05 to 0-05 ahead.

Harry Monahan had a chance to immediately put Inniskeen level but a poor finish was the first of four good second half goal chances that the south Monaghan were left to rue.  A fine score from Ciaran McNulty from the right wing reduced the deficit before the three point advantage was restored by a volleyed point from Ryan Kearns after a penetrating run from Murphy.  Points were swapped between Aidan Woods and Murphy as Patrick McLarnon in the Magherafelt goal reacted sharply to deny Woods a goal.  Two points from midfielders McNulty and Andrew Woods reduced the deficit to the minimum midway through the second half but this was a s good as it got for them with Magherafelt's main men Coyle and Murphy taking the game by the scruff of the neck.  Coyle converted a point after winning an Inniskeen kick out and then Murphy capitalised on a poor kick out to score his teams second goal.  Coyle again stepped up to put the game beyond reach converting a penalty after a foul on Ben McErlain.  Magherafelt manager Oliver Monaghan was understandably delighted to progress to the semi final "We are very relieved to have got through after a tough game, we had watched some DVD's of Inniskeen and knew that their big men down the middle would be hard to stop.  Inniskeen were very unlucky missing four goal chances and it took some fantastic saves from Patrick McLarnon to keep us in the game.  Our defence has been the benchmark of the team and it was a fantastic performance from them, we have been training since the 11th of January and are glad to keep our season going".

Teams:  Magherafelt – Patrick Mcarnon, Liam Og McElhone, Conor McCluskey, Ciaran Shields, Declan Martin (0-1),  Caolan Coyle (2-01, 1 Pen), Cianan McCann, Cormac Murphy (1-02), Peter Tohill, Cathal Martin, Odhran Lynch, Simon McErlain (0-1), Ben McErlain (0-1f), Ryan Kearns (0-1) and Shea Donnely (0-2).  Subs  Jack Diamond for C McCann, Aaron McKee for O Lynch, Emmett Young for B McErlain, James Beggan (0-1) for S Donnelly, Eoghan Hawe for C Martin and Ciaran McKeever for R Kearns

Inniskeen – Shane Martin, Gavin Dooley, Seamus Kindlon, Shane Hanratty, Padraig Russell, Christopher Hanratty, Dylan Curtis, Ciaran McNulty (0-3), Andrew Woods (0-3, 1f), Harry Monahan, Jack Hoey, Jarlath McGahon, Pauric McGahon, Aidan Woods (0-4, 2f) and Aaron Keenan

Today's score was Magherafelt 3-10 to Inniskeen 0-10, entertaining game much tighter than the scoreline suggests, full report to follow. 

Looking forward to a clinker tomorrow between Bredagh and Clann Eireann.

Rossa Belfast

O'Donovan Rossa of Belfast play Southern Gaels of Cavan next Saturday 14th at 12:00

Bredagh v Clann Eireann Press Release
The second quarter final of the Paul McGirr U16 Club Champions Tournament this weekend is seen by many as the tie of the round featuring an intriguing battle between Down champions Bredagh and Armagh's Clann Eireann.  Bredagh were not fancied to come out of Down as they were drawn out in the quarter finals against reigning Paul McGirr champions Burren who featured many of the players that won the tournament in 2014.  However following an intensive physical battle played in poor conditions Bredagh emerged winners and went on to defeat Downpatrick in the county final.  The win over Burren will have given managers Martin Durkan, Mark Donegan, Martin Hanratty and their team great belief that they can go the whole way in the competition and keep the title in the Mourne county.  Backboned by Michael Napier, Liam O'Keefe, Brendan Gallen, Shaun Lyttle and Eamon Carville the South Belfast boys are a physically imposing side and there is no doubt they will take some stopping in the competition. 

Clann Eireann put up a great showing in their visit to the Paul McGirr tournament last year pushing eventual winners Burren all the way only to lose out agonisingly by a single point.  Many of that team will return again to Gardrum Park on Sunday and last years experience will have stood them in great stead.  Having comfortably completed the league and championship double in Armagh they comprehensively defeated Killeavy by sixteen points in the county final but managers Martin and Michael McConville and Gary McLeary will be in no doubt that the challenges will be much tougher over the next few weeks as they step up to Ulster level. Known as an attacking team who like to run the ball, the Lurgan boys have a superb defence who have conceded very little all season, Bredagh will have to fight hard for every score they an get.  The game has a 1:00 throw in this Sunday in Gardrum Park and a great crowd is expected to see two of the top youth teams in the province battle it out for a semi final place.

Magherafelt O'Donovan Rossa v Inniskeen

The first quarter final of the Paul McGirr U16 Club Champions Tournament takes place this Saturday morning with an intriguing tie between Derry champions Magherafelt O'Donovan Rossa and Monaghan's Inniskeen Grattans.  Magherafelt are being tipped by many as the pre tournament favourites having emerged from a very strong Derry championship having defeated 2013 All Ireland Feile finalists Dungiven and an impressive Swatragh team who pushed them all the way in the county final.  As with most Magherafelt teams they are a physically imposing side who play a direct style of football with several of their players featuring strongly on the Derry U16 panel they will be highly confident of success.  According to O'Donovan Rossa Chairman Jarlath Conway the challenge is one which they are certainly looking forward to "Having overcome Dungiven, Limavady, Bellaghy and Swatragh the players, management and supporters of O'Donovan Rossa GAC, Magherafelt, are very excited about being involved in this competition in memory of Paul McGirr, especially as it has been 6 years since we last reached this stage.  We would like to take this opportunity to thank St Dympnas GAC for the fantastic work that they do in hosting this competition which is now in its 16th year, and also to wish all the other clubs involved in this competition the very best of luck".

It will be a momentus occasion for their opponents Inniskeen Grattans, who are entering the competition for the first time.  They will be coming in to the game as underdogs but this is a tag that they are well used to having overcame a very talented Carrickmacross team in the Monaghan final and manager Anthony Keenan feels that the occasion will not phase his team "The inniskeen grattans are looking forward to the tournament. It's the first time in our history winning the county u-16 Championship. There is a nice balance to the team with strong players on every line.  Seamus Kindlon (captain) at full back sets the platform while in midfield Andrew Woods and Ciaran McNulty are a match for anyone. In the forwards Aidan Woods and Pauric McGahon are a handful for any defence and we certainly feel that it will take a very strong team to overcome us".
The match throws in at 12:00 in Gardrum Park Dromore and it certainly seems to be a competitive fixture that will please a lot of the neutrals.  All proceeds from the tournament go to the Spirit Of Paul McGirr Trust for their work with the poor in Lusaka, Kenya.

Dromore 1-14 Enniskillen Gaels 2-07

Dromore and Enniskillen got the Paul Mc Girr tournament up and running on Saturday afternoon in front of a large and appreciative crowd at Gardrum Park. Played in splendid conditions the teams served up an exciting game that swung one way and then the other before the Tyrone champions eventually sealed the win 1-14 to 2-7.  Playing with the aid of a strong breeze Enniskillen opened the scoring on two minutes with a free from Ronan Beattie but Dromore began to dominate the midfield exchanges and with Cahir Goodwin and Mark Mc Grade in outstanding form they were soon 0-4 to 0-1 ahead. However Enniskillen reduced the gap to two with a brace of points from impressive full forward John Rehill.

The sides exchanged further points before an own goal put the Fermanagh men in front for the first time. Dromore recovered from that setback and scores from Mark Mc Grade and Caolan Mc Carron tied the scores with five minutes of the half remaining.

Enniskillen were growing in confidence and struck for a second goal following some fine creative play from their forwards. The ball eventually made its way to the edge of the Dromore square where Ronan Beattie applied the finishing touch to put his side 2-4 to 0-7 in front. Conor Love extended the lead with a nice point but back again came Dromore and late points from Cahir Goodwin and Nathan Mc Carron left only a point between the teams at the break.

Dromore's recent run of competitive games stood to them in the second half as they camped in their opponents' half for most of the third quarter. An opportunist goal from John Mac Rory followed by two points from the boot of Oran Sludden put the blues in a strong position as the game entered the final quarter. Enniskillen eventually awoke from their slumbers but found the Dromore defence a tough nut to crack. Caolan Slevin, Ruairi Teague and Padraig Quinn worked very hard to deny the Fermanagh side time on the ball. Enniskillen did reduce the gap to a single point with thirteen minutes left but it was the Tyrone side that finished strongest with points from Mark Mc Grade, Caolan Mc Carron and Pearse Mc Nabb sealing a 1-14 to 2-7 win.

The Paul McGirr U16 Club Champions Tournament kicks off in style this weekend with the preliminary round derby fixture between Fermanagh champions Enniskillen Gaels and newly crowned Tyrone champions Dromore who defeated Loughmacrory last weekend after a replay.  It was Dromore's first title at this level since 1998 and the win has provided them with a chance to represent their club and county at Ulster level for the first time on their home pitch.  It will be a massive occasion for the host club and according to joint manager Joe Rafferty it is an occasion which they are certainly looking forward to "Having had a huge involvement in the tournament myself over the last few years and having watched it grow into what is probably the premier youth football tournament in the country it has always been a dream to watch my own club taking part.  It will be a memorable occasion not only for the team but for the entire club and parish and I have no doubt there will be a huge Dromore support there to cheer the boys on.  While traditionally Tyrone teams have not done well in the competition we certainly hope to give it a good shot this year, while we have struggled with serious injuries to key players thoughout the season all came good for us in the end and our performance against Loughmacrory in the championship final replay last Saturday will certainly give the boys a huge boost coming into this game.  We have a strong spine with Ruairi Teague, Mark McGread and Caolan Slevin at the back and a good midfield partnership in Cahir Goodwin and Nathan McCarron.  Caolan McCarron,  Oran Sludden and John MacRory  have been the scorers in chief but the return of Odhran Rafferty after long term injury has proven to be a big boost in the last few weeks.  However, we are under no illusions as to the task ahead of us in Ulster and the way in which Enniskillen demolished Ederney in the county final a few weeks ago shows the enormity of the task ahead of us.  It will be a proud day for the club and hopefully the Dromore boys can give the local fans something to cheer about".  Rafferty and his fellow management team of Niall McNulty, Brian McCarron and Conor O'Hara will be hoping to kick on from last weekend's Tyrone final win and secure a quarter final berth.

Enniskillen cruised to a 52 point win in the Fermanagh final and this is certainly one of the strongest underage team to emerge from the Erne county in recent years.  Managed by Niall Jones, James Reihill and Raymond Curran the Gaels game plan revolves a lot around the towering midfield duo of captain Eoin Beacom and hard working Patrick Cassidy , Gavin Greene is an attacking half back of note and the forward line features the promising John Reihill, Ronan Beattie and Conor Love who top scored in their county final.  This local derby promises to be a tight affair and one that is very hard to call, the game throws in at 2:30 in Gardrum Park this Saturday and all proceeds from the gate go the The Spirit Of Paul McGirr Trust.

Dromore secured the Tyrone title today and will face Enniskillen next week in the preliminary round with the winners facing Bredagh.  The other quarter finals see Southern Gaels Cavan play O'Donovan Rossa Antrim, The Derry winners play Inniskeen Monaghan, and Clann Eireann Armagh play St. Eunans Donegal

Draw was made tonight,  first up next weekend is the preliminary round game between Enniskillen Gaels and the Tyrone champions which will be either Loughmacrory or Dromore which is being played tomorrow.

Hi folks, the launch of this season Paul McGirr U16 Club Champions Tournament takes place this evening at 8:30 in Garvaghy, everyone is welcome to come along and see the wonderful work being done by the the Spirit of Paul McGirr Trust. The draw for the tournament will take place also with some guest speakers sure to keep all entertained. 

This year's tournament will be launched on Friday 23rd October in Garvaghy.  Southern Gaels of Cavan, Inniskeen of Monaghan and I believe Bredagh of Down are the qualifiers so far, Tyrone, Donegal and Derry are at semi final stage and fermanagh is at the final stage we believe.  Any other information is most welcome as to who else has qualified.  It is hoped first game will be played in the last week of October