Paul McGirr u16 Championship

[PMG1]

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.

[outinfront]

Rossa Belfast

[PMG1]

Rossa Belfast

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

[outinfront]

Cheers

[mylestheslasher]

Any score from today, just wondering how  the Cavan village got on against Belfast today.

[outinfront]

Next week

[PMG1]

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.

[PMG1]

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

[PMG1]

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

[PMG1]

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. 

[PMG1]

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.

[PMG1]

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

[PMG1]

Tremendous game in atrocious conditions today in the Paul McGirr Tournament, Dromore winning 0-13 to 1-07 with Letterkenny pushing them right to the final kick, full report to follow

[PMG1]

Paul McGirr Ulster U16 Club Champions Tournament

Dromore 0-13 St.Eunan's 1-7

Dromore are into the semi-finals of the prestigious Paul McGirr Ulster U16 Club Champions Tournament after they had three points to spare over a battling St.Eunan's of Letterkenny side at Gardrum Park on Saturday afternoon.

Both sides deserve immense credit for the football that they produced in trying weather conditions with the St.Dympnas full value for their victory. After leading 0-7 to 0-5 at the break they hit a purple patch in the second half which yielded them five unanswered scores to build up a matching winning lead. To their credit the Donegal champions battled back to set up a tense finish when Louis Hasson scored a goal but Dromore didn't panic as they held out for a narrow victory.

Dromore centre half back Mark McGrade was awarded the man of the match award but special mention must also go to fellow defenders Ruairi Teague and Paudie Quinn, the latter holding dangerman Oisin Purdy scoreless. Caolan McCarron, Odhran Rafferty and team captain Oran Sludden were other players to the fore in what was in essence a good team performance from Dromore on a day when eight different players featured on the scoresheet for them. Aaron Deeney, Louis Hasson, Niall Hannigan and Michael McGroary all played well for St.Eunan's. Dromore joint manager Joe Rafferty was delighted with the win.

"Both sides deserve great credit for the football that they produced in difficult weather conditions," said Joe.

"It was our best display of the season to date and I was particularly pleased with the way that the lads dealt with the defensive system which St.Eunans deployed."

It was Dromore who looked the livelier side early on but they missed a few chances and it was centre half forward Hannigan who opened the scoring for St.Eunan's with a well taken sixth minute point. John MacRory and McGroary then exchanged points before a forty metre free from the boot of Caolan McCarron levelled matters at the end of the opening quarter. A Hannigan free was followed by a fine point from play from the impressive Hasson but St.Eunan's were to score just once more in the first half as Dromore assumed control.

Pearse McNabb, McGrade, Sludden, MacRory and Rafferty were all on target for the winners with the latter's the score of the game after going past three challenges to score with his weaker left foot. McNabb was then denied a goal after Ronan McGeehin made a good save before Eoin McGeehin had the final say of the half to leave it 0-7 to 0-5.

Dromore picked up where they had left off on the restart with Caolan McCarron knocking over another placed ball before a superb move the length of the field resulted in Nathan McCarron splitting the posts. In the 38th minute Hannigan charged through on goal before being fouled by Cahir Goodwin who was black carded, Hannigan converting the resulting free himself.

It was at this stage that Dromore really came of age as they lifted their game after losing the influential Goodwin. Sludden fired over a brace of points with McCarron on target from another free to leave them ahead by double scores going into the final ten minutes, 0-12 to 0-6. Any thoughts that they had the game won though were quickly dispelled when first of all Hasson pointed before the same player pulled on a loose ball to send to the net to cut the gap to two. Dromore though retained possession well as they waited for an opening and it came in the form of a superb point from Ruairi Gallagher. St.Eunan's now needed a goal to force extra time but Dromore held on to reach the last four.


Match stats....

The scorers....

Dromore –Caolan McCarron 0-3, Oran Sludden 0-3, John MacRory 0-2, Pearse McNabb 0-1, Mark McGrade 0-1, Odhran Rafferty 0-1, Nathan McCarron 0-1, Ruairi Gallagher 0-1

St.Eunans – Louis Hasson 1-2, Niall Hannigan 0-3, Michael McGroary 0-1, Eoin McGeehin 0-1

The teams....

Dromore - Ross Hunter, Caolan Slevin, Ruairi Teague, Padraig Quinn, Jamie Louis Law, Mark McGrade, Cathal Colton, Cahir Goodwin, Nathan McCarron, Odhran Rafferty, Caolan McCarron, Pearse McNabb, Ruairi Gallagher, Oran Sludden, John MacRory. Sub – Ross Slevin for Goodwin (black card), Oisin Gallogly for Colton

St.Eunans – Ronan McGeehin, Ciaran McCloskey, Conor McWalters, Ryan Hillferty, Aaron Deeney, Jerome Angel Atuahgne, Donal Farren, Patrick McColgan, Michael McGroary, Shane Maguire, Niall Hannigan, Eoin McGeehin, Louis Hasson, Matthew McGovern, Oisin Purdy. Sub – James Kelly for Maguire

Referee – Martin Higgins, Fermanagh

[PMG1]

Impressive performance from Rossa today, full time score O'Donovan Rossa 4-09 v Southern Gaels 1-03, full report to follow.  The draw for the semi finals was made with Magherafelt O'Donovan Rossa v Clann Eireann next Saturday and O'Donovan Rossa Belfast v Dromore next Sunday.  See some of the goals today on the following likc:
https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=10153651074296113&pnref=story