Burren 2-10 Clann Eireann 1-12
This Paul McGirr Ulster U16 Club Champions tournament quarter final was billed as tie of the round and played before a large crowd both teams did not disappoint as a rip roaring affair ended with a narrow one point victory for the Down champions Burren. It was a tremendous display by both sides, played in great spirit and there were some great individual performances, none more so than man of the match Liam Kerr from Burren who contributed five wonderful points from play from midfield. Burren got off to a great start in the game and were three points up following scores from Declan Murdock from a free, Ronan Fegan and Ciaran McAdam. Clann Eireanns scorer in chief Conor McConville got his sides first scores with two frees, one of which he had won himself. Murdock converted another free after a powerful run from raiding wing back Darragh Murdock was unceremoniously ended by the Clann Eireann defence. The Armagh men were now starting to take a grip in the possession stakes with the robust Barry McCambridge foraging tremendously hard in the middle of the field. Ruairi McConville opened his account with a fine effort before Conor McConville took centre stage with a pointed free and a goal from a move which he started himself. A snapshot off the ground from Cormac Coleman put the Lurgan boys four ahead but just before half time the powerful Kerr got his first point of the day finishing after a great run through the centre of the Clann Eireann defence to leave three in it at half time.
The half time lead though was short lived as a fired up Burren team came out all guns blazing and full forward Murdock found the back of the Clann Eireann net, setting the scene for a great second half. Points were exchanged by opposing midfielders Kerr and McCambridge before one of the defining moments of the game came when Burren captain full back Conor Cox came to his teams rescue with a full length diving block denying McCambridge a certain goal. A McConville free put Clann Eireann ahead but this was the last time they were to be in this position as the bustling Kerr levelled and then corner forward Conor McCartan goaled with a neat finish punishing a misplaced kick out much to the delight of the Burren support. An Aodhan McConville point was cancelled out by a Murdock free before Clann Eireann captain Ryan Owens scored an inspirational point to leave two between the sides. A fisted effort from Kerr eased Burrens nerves but not for long as Conor O'Carroll now playing in the forward line got in on the scoring act for Clann Eireann. Burren were coming under immense pressure and Clann Eireann went close several times before once again Kerr took centre stage pointing after a lung bursting ninety yard run. Two late points from McConville and Owens brought the gap to the minimum to set up a grandstand finish but the Burren defence with 14 men behind the ball held out to become the first team into the semi final draw.
Teams: Burren - Jack Brady, Shea Fitzpatrick, Conor Cox (capt), Shane O'Hare, Ardan McAvoy, Peter Fegan, Darragh Murdock, Liam Kerr (0-05), Aidan fitzpatrick, Ronan Fegan (0-01), Shea Murdock, Ciaran McAdam (0-01) , Sean O'Connor, Declan Murdock (1-03) & Conor McCartan (1-00)
Subs - Thomas Travers for McAdam, Ryan McAteer for O'Connor
Clann Eireann - Calum Magee, Conan O'Carroll (0-01), Adam O'Connor, Colm Holbrook, Sean McCarthy, Ryan Owens (capt) (0-02), Jack Haddock, Barry McCambridge (0-01), Niall McCarron, Cormac Coleman (0-01), Conor McCarville (1-05), Aoghan McConville (0-01), Ruairi McConville (0-01), Sean Keenan, Conor Turbitt
This Paul McGirr Ulster U16 Club Champions tournament quarter final was billed as tie of the round and played before a large crowd both teams did not disappoint as a rip roaring affair ended with a narrow one point victory for the Down champions Burren. It was a tremendous display by both sides, played in great spirit and there were some great individual performances, none more so than man of the match Liam Kerr from Burren who contributed five wonderful points from play from midfield. Burren got off to a great start in the game and were three points up following scores from Declan Murdock from a free, Ronan Fegan and Ciaran McAdam. Clann Eireanns scorer in chief Conor McConville got his sides first scores with two frees, one of which he had won himself. Murdock converted another free after a powerful run from raiding wing back Darragh Murdock was unceremoniously ended by the Clann Eireann defence. The Armagh men were now starting to take a grip in the possession stakes with the robust Barry McCambridge foraging tremendously hard in the middle of the field. Ruairi McConville opened his account with a fine effort before Conor McConville took centre stage with a pointed free and a goal from a move which he started himself. A snapshot off the ground from Cormac Coleman put the Lurgan boys four ahead but just before half time the powerful Kerr got his first point of the day finishing after a great run through the centre of the Clann Eireann defence to leave three in it at half time.
The half time lead though was short lived as a fired up Burren team came out all guns blazing and full forward Murdock found the back of the Clann Eireann net, setting the scene for a great second half. Points were exchanged by opposing midfielders Kerr and McCambridge before one of the defining moments of the game came when Burren captain full back Conor Cox came to his teams rescue with a full length diving block denying McCambridge a certain goal. A McConville free put Clann Eireann ahead but this was the last time they were to be in this position as the bustling Kerr levelled and then corner forward Conor McCartan goaled with a neat finish punishing a misplaced kick out much to the delight of the Burren support. An Aodhan McConville point was cancelled out by a Murdock free before Clann Eireann captain Ryan Owens scored an inspirational point to leave two between the sides. A fisted effort from Kerr eased Burrens nerves but not for long as Conor O'Carroll now playing in the forward line got in on the scoring act for Clann Eireann. Burren were coming under immense pressure and Clann Eireann went close several times before once again Kerr took centre stage pointing after a lung bursting ninety yard run. Two late points from McConville and Owens brought the gap to the minimum to set up a grandstand finish but the Burren defence with 14 men behind the ball held out to become the first team into the semi final draw.
Teams: Burren - Jack Brady, Shea Fitzpatrick, Conor Cox (capt), Shane O'Hare, Ardan McAvoy, Peter Fegan, Darragh Murdock, Liam Kerr (0-05), Aidan fitzpatrick, Ronan Fegan (0-01), Shea Murdock, Ciaran McAdam (0-01) , Sean O'Connor, Declan Murdock (1-03) & Conor McCartan (1-00)
Subs - Thomas Travers for McAdam, Ryan McAteer for O'Connor
Clann Eireann - Calum Magee, Conan O'Carroll (0-01), Adam O'Connor, Colm Holbrook, Sean McCarthy, Ryan Owens (capt) (0-02), Jack Haddock, Barry McCambridge (0-01), Niall McCarron, Cormac Coleman (0-01), Conor McCarville (1-05), Aoghan McConville (0-01), Ruairi McConville (0-01), Sean Keenan, Conor Turbitt