Ulster Minor Football League 2009

[ArmaghGAAforum]

any ideas when and where the final is?

[tyrone86]

In full forward Gavin, who kicked some fine scores from play and placed balls, Derrytresk could have another Francie Burke in the making. He clearly has the potential to take over from the legendary Burke as the Hill's most famous footballer.  

How dare you!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Derrytresk_Fir_An_Chnoic

Please note the last sentence.

[drici]

Minors round off with a win





DERRY .................................................. 1-10

FERMANAGH ........................................ 0-15


The minor team wrapped up their league campaign on an encouraging note when they edged out home side Derry by two points on Saturday, the foundations of the win being laid down in a sparkling first half performance.

That zippy display had seen Fermanagh very much in the ascendancy and they were to shoot an impressive tally of thirteen points and with the Derry attack generally curtailed, the Erne boys had established a fairly comfortable position by the interval.

In the second half they were not to enjoy as much authority and Derry managed a sturdy revival which brought them right back into contention.

But Fermanagh were sufficiently resilient to fend off the increased Derry challenge and a couple of points in the final ten minutes got the team over the winning line.

This win, the first in the four match programme, was a continuance of the steadily improved form which the team has marshalled since their opening poor match against Donegal.

That defeat was followed by a good showing against Antrim, an even better one against Tyrone and now a deserved success over Derry.

It all injects a note of optimism for the upcoming championship game with Down in mid May. Preparation for that contest will be undertaken with renewed enthusiasm and it is intended to have at least one challenge match in the programme probably with Sligo the opposition.

Collectively this tussle with Derry saw Fermanagh produce a solid team effort though there were a number of individuals who served up especially fine efforts. Half back John Duffy had a particularly tasty duel with key Derry forward Emmet McKeever while also in a well drilled back division there were steady contributions from Paul McCaffery in the full back line and from Paddy McGovern at half back.

The midfield duo of Richard O'Callaghan and Danny Mohan fared particularly well in the opening half and in the attack which had its best spell over the opening thirty minutes, Gavin Gallagher, Ciaran McBrien and Jonathan Feely all featured.

No shortage of possession for the Fermanagh attack in the first half and they made solid use of it, a tally of thirteen points scooped up. Leading the way was corner forward Feely with a handful of scores and also on the mark were Sean Quigley, Paul Mullen, Ciaran McBrien and John Mulligan.

Derry were restricted to a scanty four point total in reply but on the changeover things began to happen for them. They gained more of the ball around the middle of the park and their attack which had Fintan Bell as a sharp operator gradually picked off scores to trim down the Fermanagh advantage.

A Derry goal ten minutes from full time brought the result into doubt, the home side now only two points adrift and the impetus was with them. But Fermanagh who had been held scoreless for over twenty minutes got a boost with a much needed point from Danny Mohan and a final point from the prolific Feely closed the deal.


TEAM:

Conor Mohan; John Mulligan; Eoin Leonard; Paul McCaffery; John Duffy; Shane McMahon; Paddy McGovern; Richard O'Callaghan; Danny Mohan; Jarlath Jackman; Sean Quigley; Paul Mullen; Jonathan Feely; Gavin Gallagher and Ciaran McBrien; Subs; Vincent O'Brien and Liam Lindsay

[drici]

No pressure on my minor players - Martin Regan

Donegal v Armagh - Ulster Minor League final - Healy Park, Omagh - Saturday, April 26th, 12 midday

21st April
By Alan Foley
Donegal minor team manager Martin Regan believes his players have already achieved all they set out to do in the Ulster Minor League this term, and there is no pressure on them ahead of Saturday's final against Armagh.
Donegal have produced some excellent football to reach the provincial decider, which will be played at Omagh's Healy Park on Saturday at midday, having beaten Fermanagh, Derry and Antrim as well as drawing with Tyrone, in their four group games.

At the start of the season we said that we would give the league a good and honest effort, which we did, but the thing that I really wanted was to get the fifth game," Regan said. "Competitive encounters are a vital part of the preparations for the championship and getting the extra game will prove hugely beneficial to the lads.

"They are an extremely committed panel of players and I hope they enjoy the day on Saturday, because they deserve to be there. They have been rewarded for what they have contributed this year and Saturday against Armagh will be a huge test - they've knocked over some big scores on their way through the other group."

Armagh have certainly been in fine scoring form through their Group B campaign. They rounded off their four wins from five games with a hammering of Down, 4-11 to 0-6. Beforehand, they overcame the guest Dublin side by 0-12 to 0-7, Cavan by three points, 1-9 to 1-6, and Meath, who were also invited to join the competition by 2-15 to 1-7. The other Armagh outing was a 1-10 apiece draw with Monaghan.

Tonight, Tuesday, Regan and his panel will meet at St Eunan's College in Letterkenny and there will be a final light training session on Thursday. Michael McEniff from Bundoran, Dermott Molloy of Naomh Conaill and St Michael's Raymond McLaughlin are injury doubts, although the manager has not ruled any of the trio out for definite.

"We'll see how the lads are and hopefully there will be no more injuries after the weekend," Regan added. "It would be an awful pity for a young man to miss a provincial final through injury. There's minor club fixtures this week too, so fingers crossed everyone will come through that.

"I wouldn't ask for these games to be postponed as I feel that it would be unfair on an awful lot of players - the ones that aren't involved with the county - to have to wait an extra week to get a game. Denying people football would be wrong I feel, so I'm all for the common sense approach.
By Thursday, we should have a good idea then who'll be right for Saturday."

Donegal last won the Ulster Minor League in 2006 when Brendan Faherty's late goal against Armagh was enough for the team managed by Sean Clerkin to seal the first part of a memorable double, which was complimented with the Ulster championship win over Antrim at Croke Park.

Antrim are also the current Donegal side's championship opponents this year, when they make their way to MacCumhaill Park in Ballybofey for the Ulster quarter-final on June 14.

[drici]

Improving minors show great resolve to defeat Derry

Derry 1-10; Fermanagh 0-15;

Ulster Minor League; Fermanagh rounded off their Ulster Minor League campaign on a positive note as they picked up their first win with a two point margin of victory over Derry on Saturday.

After two heavy defeats in their opening two games Fermanagh have shown progress and improvement in recent weeks, pushing Tyrone all the way last week before seeing off Derry, a win which should give them confidence ahead of the Ulster Championship meeting with Down on May 17 at Brewster Park.

The platform for the victory was a good first half performance that saw Fermanagh carve open an eight point advantage over the Oak Leaf county and although Derry rallied when they had the wind at their backs in the second half, Fermanagh managed to dig deep to hold out for the win.

Fermanagh played with the breeze in the first half with Richard O'Callaghan and Daniel Mohan controlling the midfield exchanges while the attack caused Derry a lot of problems with Belcoo's Johnny Feely in particular looking sharp in the forward line as he rattled over six points.

Garvan Gallagher clipped over two points in the first half while Ciaran McBrien, Sean Quigley, Daniel Mohan, Paul Mullan and John Mulligan also chipped in with points as Fermanagh moved into a 0-13 to 0-05 half time lead.

And that lead could even have been greater but for some missed opportunities in the first period.

It was a completely different game after half-time, however, as Derry began to eat into the Fermanagh advantage.

Daniel Mohan did knock over for Fermanagh but Derry were able to get back to within striking distance as a series of points left one between them, 0-14 to 0-10. And when Derry struck for a goal with seven minutes left it seemed that they might go on to sneak the win. However, Fermanagh battled hard over the final minutes and they managed to break up the field for Sean Quigley to score to leave two points dividing the sides at the finish.

This was a good performance by Fermanagh with John Duffy, Eoin Leonard and Patrick McGovern prominent in defence while O'Callaghan and Mohan put in a good shift at midfield.

The forward line worked very well as a unit, which will have pleased the management, and they all played well with Feely, Gallagher and McBrien in particular impressing.

"It was good to finish off the campaign on a winning note and it was a very encouraging performance," said assistant manager Peter McGinnity. "We played some great football in the first half and it was pleasing to see the boys battling hard when Derry came back at us in the second half."

[drici]

Section A (Armagh/Cavan/Monaghan/Down/Meath/Dublin)

Monaghan 1-10 Armagh 1-10   20th March Inniskeen

Cavan 0-12 Meath 3-08           20th March Breffni Park

Down 2-08 Dublin 4-12           21st March Burren
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cavan 0-18 Dublin 0-11           28th March Kingscourt

Armagh 2-15 Meath 1-07        28th March Cullyhanna

Down 1-09 Monaghan 2-09     28th March An Ríocht
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Down 2-10 Meath 1-10           4th April Newry

Monaghan 0-13 Dublin 1-10     4th April Clontibret

Armagh 1-09 Cavan 1-06         4th April Davitt Park
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cavan 1-14 Down 1-06           11th April Breffni Park

Monaghan 1-12 Meath 1-08     11th April Ballybay

Armagh 0-12 Dublin 1-07         11th April Killeavy
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cavan 0-10 Monaghan 0-10      16th April Breffni Park

Down 0-06 Armagh 4-11          18th April Burren



------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Section B (Antrim/Derry/Donegal/Fermanagh/Tyrone)

Fermanagh 0-04 Donegal 5-07  21st March Irvinestown

Derry 2-05 Tyrone 2-10           21st March Newbridge
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Donegal 2-10 Derry 0-08          28th March Ballybofey

Antrim 1-09 Fermanagh 0-02    28th March Creggan
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tyrone 1-08 Donegal 1-08        4th April Omagh

Antrim 3-06 Derry 1-09            4th April Creggan
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fermanagh 0-09 Tyrone 1-08    11th April Brewster Park

Donegal 2-17  Antrim 0-07        11th April Letterkenny
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Derry 1-10 Fermanagh 0-15       18th April Slaughtmanus

Tyrone 1-14 Antrim 1-07           18th April Dungannon

[drici]

Minors Chasing League glory

Ulster Minor League final - Donegal v Armagh - Healy Park, Omagh - Saturday, 2-00pm

By Alan Foley

When Brendan Faherty blasted high into the Armagh net at St Tiernach's Park in Clones three years ago, not only did the late goal win Donegal the Ulster Minor League, but it set them in good stead for the championship that followed that summer.
Sean Clerkin's silky team went on to lift the Ulster championship, before finally falling at the All-Ireland semi-final stage against a strong Kerry team. This year's minor panel, now under the guise of Martin Regan, have had a similar run thus far in the league and are continuing to implement the step by step approach.

And although the manager has been hugely complimentary when assessing the progress to date and believes the Healy Park assignment is a deserved bonus after a diligent spring, he also has made no secret of the championship's importance.

Regan has to plan without Four Masters' Luke Keaney, who has a dislocated finger, for Saturday's final against Armagh. Other main fitness worries centre around Michael McEniff from Bundoran, Dermot Molloy of Naomh Conaill.

McEniff took part in light training in Letterkenny on Tuesday night while Molloy and clubmate were to play in a Minor League game for Naomh Conaill last night. Aside that, Regan was hoping that no further problems developed in the minor league club fixtures contested this week.

"We'll see how the lads are and hopefully there will be no more injuries," Regan said. "It would be an awful pity for a young man to miss a provincial final through injury."

Donegal qualified for the final after coming through Section B relatively unscathed. They opened with an easy triumph over a poor Fermanagh side at Brewster Park, winning 5-7 to 0-4, before defeating Derry by 2-10 to 0-8 at MacCumhaill Park. Afterwards, they drew 1-8 apiece away to Tyrone in Omagh, and concluded the series with a 2-17 to 0-7 success over Antrim at O'Donnell Park.

Armagh, for their part, have won four from five games, after beating Down, Dublin, Meath and Cavan and drawn the other encounter with Monaghan, have been raking up a bucketload of scores in the process.

"They are an extremely committed panel of players and I hope they enjoy the day on Saturday,because they deserve to be there," Regan said of his playing panel. ""At the start of the season we said that we would give the league a good and honest effort, which we did.

They have been rewarded for what they have contributed this year and Saturday against Armagh will be a huge test.

"Competitive encounters are a vital part of the preparations for the championship and getting the extra game will prove hugely beneficial to the lads."

Antrim are Donegal's Ulster championship opponents, on June 14, in Ballybofey, but for Saturday, a repeat of the heroics of 2006 would provide a firm foundation for what lies ahead.

Donegal Panel: Peter McGonigle (Bundoran, captain); Ashley Mulhern (Bundoran), Cathal Ellis, (Naomh Conaill), Christopher Barrett (Milford), Ciaran Conaghan (Killybegs), Ciaran Greaney (St Eunan's), Cory Gallagher (Dungloe), Dara Grant (Burt), Darren McGeever (Cloughaneely), Declan McGuire, (Naomh Columba), Dermot Molloy (Naomh Conall), Enda Faulkner (Moville), Fiachra McGinley (St Naul's), Harry Harden (Naomh Mhuire), Jamie Doherty (Letterkenny Gaels), Jonathan Harkin (Gaoth Dobhair), Jonathan Ward (Bundoran), Kevin McFadden (Cloughaneely), Luke Keaney (Four Masters), Michael McEniff (Bundoran), Oisin McGinty (Four Masters), Owen Grant (Naomh Mhuire), Owen Ward, (Gaoth Dobhair), Pauric Carr (Kilcar), Peter Boyle (Aodh Ruadh), Peter Divine (St Eunan's), Peter McGonagle (Bundoran), Raymond McLaughlin (St Michael's), Sean O'Kennedy (Four Masters), Shane Walsh (Naomh Bríd), Stephen Doak (St Michael's, Thomas McKinley (Naomh Cholmcille).

[harlechman]

Congrats to Armagh on winning the UMFL. Armagh 0-13 Donegal 0-9. Decent game of football, Armagh deserving victors

[mountainboii]

Winning Armagh team, according to a guy on orchardcounty:

1 Stephen O'Reilly (Madden)
2 Kealan Downey  (Killeavy)
3 Ronan Finnegan (Crossmaglen)
4 Shane Mone       (Ceide)
5 Declan McKenna (Harps - Captain)
6 Niall Rowland      (Culloville)
7 Chris McCaffery   (Clann Eireann)
8 Peter Carragher  (Silverbridge)
9 James Donnelly   (Killeavy)  (0-1)
10 Rory Grugan      (Ballymacnab)  (0-5)
11 Thomas McAlinden (Sarsfields)
12 Conor King        (Killeavy)
13 Robbie Tasker    (St Pats)   (0-3)
14 Eugene McVerry (Mullaghbawn) (0-2)
15 Ryan Rafferty     (Granemore)  (0-1)

Subs used James Morgan (Crossmaglen)
                 Gavin McParland (Ballymacnab)  (0-1)
                 Andrew Murrin    (St Pauls)

also Darren Kelly      (St Peters)
        Dean Nugent    (Ceide)
        Matthew Greene (Ceide)
        Paul McGeown   (Sarsfields)
       Michael Lennon   (Derrynoose)
       Mark Davidson    (Tir na nOg)

[drici]

Donegal Minors' second half-fade out in Minor League final

Ulster Minor Football League Final

Donegal 0-09 Armagh 0-13

By Peter Campbell at Healy Park, Omagh

The sight of the Armagh jersey is becoming unpleasant for Donegal as the minors followed the U-21s in failing to sparkle against the Orchard men in the Ulster Minor League final in Healy Park, Omagh.

Despite getting on terms within two minutes of the second half, they just couldn't match the Armagh hunger in that period. They did get back within a point on a number of occasions but never looked likely to kick on and win.

With a great stop from 'keeper, Peter Boyle, they were just a point adrift at the break after playing against the strong wind in the opening half.

Boyle is also a very good outfield player and maybe there is a case for the Donegal management to take a look at him as a full-forward alongside Owen Ward, especially as Ashley Mulhern is a very suitable replacement between the sticks.

Donegal got the perfect start with Peter McGonigle driving from the throw-in and setting up Owen Ward for the opening score on 19 seconds.
Armagh availed of nervousness in the Donegal defence, in particular, to hit the next four points through Eugene McVerry (2), James Donnelly and Rory Grugan (free) to lead by 0-4 to 0-1 after just seven minutes.

However, the lively opening was not continued. Armagh, despite having the strong breeze at their backs, employed a sweeper in front of their full back line, which killed the game as a spectacle.

Donegal, when they got their composure back, got back in touch with
points from Dermot Molloy and Owen Ward, but they still gave a lot of ball away, trying to carry the ball forward.

Robbie Tasker edged Armagh two clear again but a great ball from Dermot Molloy set up a move which ended with Raymond McLaughlin pointing for Donegal.

Tasker put the Orchard men two clear again four minutes from the break and Donegal had a let-off in the 28th minute when Rory Grugan found a path through the middle and his pass found Robbie Tasker with just Peter Boyle to beat. He opted to flick the ball but Boyle re-adjusted to make a wonder save and even kept his balance to win the break.

A minute into added time the hard-working Owen Ward won a free near the endline and sideline but it proved no problem to Raymond McLaughlin who swung over the free to leave just a point between the teams at the break.

Half-time Donegal 0-05 Armagh 0-06

Donegal brought in Cory Gallagher and Enda Faulkner at the break and thanks to a Dermot Molloy '45' they were on terms within two minutes.
However a mix-up between Peter McGonigle and Dermot Molloy saw Armagh go clear through Gavin McParland and Ryan Rafferty doubled the lead.

Another Donegal substitute, Jamie Doherty, set up Owen Ward for a great point from 47m and Dermot Molloy was wide from a free.
Rory Grogan and Raymond McLaughlin traded points within a minute on 47 minutes and Robbie Tasker and Dermot Molloy did the same two minutes later.

However, Donegal were not to find the target in the final eleven minutes and Rory Grogan finished off the game with three pointed frees in that period.

Donegal were disappointing in the second period and overall only Peter Boyle, Cathal Ellis, Peter McGonigle, Dermot Molloy and Owen Ward made a real impression with Ward, McGonigle and Boyle outstanding. Jamie Doherty also made a contribution when coming in.

For Armagh full-back Ronan Finnegan was a revelation in the second half when released from his defensive duties. Rory Grogan, Robbie Tasker, Eugene McVerry and Gavin McParland were also impressive.

Donegal: Peter Boyle; Ciaran Conaghan, Peter Devine, Sean O'Kennedy; Thomas McKinley, Cathal Ellis, Ciaran Greaney; Fiachra McGinley, Peter McGonigle; Michael McEniff, Dermot Molloy n(0-3,one 45), Luke Keaney; Raymond McLaughlin (0-3,1f), Owen Ward (0-3), Christopher Barrett. Subs., Cory Gallagher for Keaney; Enda Faulkner for Conaghan (both h.t.); Jamie Doherty for McEniff 35; Luke Keaney for Faulkner 50

Armagh: Stephen O'Reilly; Kealan Downey, Ronan Finnegan, Shane Mone; Declan McKenna, Niall Rowland, Christopher McCaffery; Peter Carragher, James Donnelly ((0-1); Rory Grugan (0-5,4f), Thomas McAlinden, Conor King; Robbie Tasker (0-3), Eugene McVerry (0-2), Ryan Rafferty (0-1). Subs., James Morgan for Mone 20; Gavin McParland (0-1) for McAlinden 25; Andrew Murrin for McCafferty 55.
Referee: Eugene McConnell (Tyrone).