Paul McGirr u16 Championship

Started by tyroneman, August 31, 2011, 07:47:41 PM

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Fuzzman

Congrats Kilcoo and commiserations to Cross.

I was delighted to be there to present the winning medals on behalf of the Tyrone Association Dublin who were the founders of this great tournament as the county board didn't seem interested in doing anything to commemorate Paul's death.

A lad asked me what did I think about the whole process of presenting loser medals to teams and I thought it was a strange process as nobody enjoys it and it must be hard for the players and management to try to put on a brave face.
Then years later is it not just a reminder that you failed to win or do people here see it as being a positive thing?

I suppose Joe Kernan used it well in 2002 as a motivational tool.

PMG1

Hi Fuzzman seen you there yesterday, I meant to get chatting to you, personally I feel presenting runners up is a good thing for underage tournaments like this as for some players this game will be the pinnacle of their career as many drop out after this age, it will be a momento for them of the occasion. I would not be in favour of it at senior level as at senior level you usually have another chance at winning what you have just lost so you have the opportunity to make up for the loss, at underage level you don't get a second chance as you move on to the next level.

PMG1

Newtonbutler v An Tearmainn

The 2018 Paul McGirr Ulster U16 Club Champions Tournament kicks off this Saturday at 2:00 in Gardrum Park Dromore with an intriguing preliminary round fixture between Fermanagh champions Newtownbutler First Fermanagh's and Donegal champions An Tearmainn.  Newtownbutler are managed by Finbarr O'Keefe, Brendan Mc Brien, Martin Mc Guinness and Natie McManus and backboned by a group of players that went close to annexing the Ulster Og Sport title earlier this year.   Goalkeeper and captain Kian O'Dowd has been impressive form this season as have midfield pairing Caolan Swift and Diarmaid King but their hopes will depend a lot on how their speedy forward line can penetrate a very strong Termon defence.   The game is one which O'Keefe is looking forward to 'Whilst we are a very young team the boys have experience of playing in tournament football and are looking forward to the challenge.  In many games it has been a solid defence that has been our platform for success and this will again be vital on Saturday.  Creating and conversion of our own scoring opportunities against a Donegal defence will be an interesting test but one the boys will relish.  We are proud to represent Fermanagh on Saturday and look forward to a strong traveling support.'

Termon are newcomers to the competition but have been the dominating force in Donegal at U16 level this year having done a complete sweep of county titles, experiencing only one defeat throughout the season.  They are managed by Trevor Alcorn who is assisted by Daire McDaid, Dan Conaghan, Ricky Gallagher and Padraig Friel and came out on top by the minimum margin in an epic Donegal final against a fancied Gweedore side to claim the clubs first ever Donegal U16 title. Attacking centre back Marty Steele and the imposing midfield partnership of Jack Alcorn and Kevin McGettigan will look to provide a platform for a highly rated Termon attack and having come through a tough Donegal championship they will be heading into Saturday's game as slight favourites in what will be a momentus occasion for the blossoming Donegal club.  Manager Alcorn is very pleased with their season so far 'We set out this year with small achievable goals, to make training enjoyable, to develop players and to try to improve with every game.  Our one major goal this year was to win a county championship for the first time in the clubs history.  We are now delighted to have the opportunity to compete at the highest level at U16 in the Paul McGirr Tournament, and every game from now on is a bonus.  Our motto for the year is 'when things aren't going our way, work harder' and this is something our lads certainly go by'.  The winners of this game will advance to a quarter final against Cavan champions Gowna.

PMG1

The draw for the 2018 U16 Club Champions Tournament:

Preliminary Round:  Newtownbutler (Fermanagh) v Termon (Donegal)
Quarter Finals:      Burren (Down) v St. Galls (Antrim)
                               Preliminary Winners v Gowna (Cavan)
                                Ardboe / Carrickmore (Tyrone) v Donaghmoyne (Monaghan)
                               Lavey (Derry) v Madden (Armagh)

LeoMc

Are all counties still running u16 competitions or how are County representatives now selected?

PMG1

7 out of the 9 counties still run U16's, for the other two we select the U15 winners and they can make up the team with their U16's. Was an awkward situation so this is the way we decided to go, not sure how the St Paul's U18 competition is going to do it as they are in a similar situation

Estimator

Looks like Burrlen are the team to beat this year. Scored 8-15 against Magherafelt and then followed that up with 2-20 versus Gaoth Dobhair. Conceding a total of 13pts ( 9 v M'felt, 4 v GD)
Ulster League Champions 2009

lurganblue

#217
Yes it looks that way.  I believe this Burren side were Division one feile winners previously?

Look, our lads have done exceptionally well.  They are a credit and will be going to give it a good rattle.

A great tournament BTW.

PMG1

This Sunday two clubs steeped in the history of Ulster club competition lock horns in the final of the Paul McGirr Ulster U16 Club Champions Tournament, three times Ulster senior champions Clan Na Gael and five times Ulster senior champions Burren.  Pedigree doesn't come much better than this but it is a new generation of players from both clubs that will be seeking to create their own piece of history on Sunday afternoon in Gardrum Park Dromore in a game that will showcase some of the best underage talent in the province. 

Clan Na Gael will have had the benefit of having come through what appears to be the tougher side of the draw, in the quarter final they had a tough encounter with experienced Fermanagh champions Newtownbutler and in last weekend's semi final they overcame a half time deficit to produced a stunning second half against a very physical O'Donovan Rossa.  In fact it is their second half performances that have been most impressive for the Lurgan lads, displaying levels of stamina that no other team has matched to date.  It is Clan Na Gael's half back line that has been the driving force in their Ulster campaign, Callum O'Neill, Brendan O'Hagan and in particular the tigerish Michael McConville have been imperious but they will have to be at the top of their game again this Sunday when faced with a free scoring Burren side.  Ronan O'Hagan has been dropping back into a sweeping position and his driving runs from the back have caught the eye while their midfield partnership of Odhran Reid and Cian McCrory work tirelessly for their side.  Odhran McGivern and Matthew Lennon have been their scorers in chief, the talented Lennon will be looking to add to his 4-09 tally so far in the tournament, his goals being key in his sides victories.   

Clan Na Gael manager Laurence McGuinness is confident of his sides chances 'Sundays game can't come quick enough for the lads. They are absolutely buzzing and full of confidence after Saturdays game. We know we are going to be in for a very tough game against a strong and experienced Burren side, but our lads will be up for the challenge. We know we have to start strongly and keep the intensity up as we showed in the second half against Rossa. We have really embraced the Paul McGirr competition and to go out and play in the final of it is a great honour for our club. If we can iron out a few of the mistakes we made in the semi final and go out and really have a go, we won't be too far away.

Burren came into the tournament as favourites having won the 2017 All Ireland Feile title and their performances in the quarter and semi final have been outstanding, comfortably disposing of a strong Magherafelt O'Donovan Rossa and a hard hitting Ghaoth Dobhair with dazzling displays of attacking football.  While their incredible tallies have been grabbing the headlines, one cannot underestimate the role that their defence has played.  Yet to concede a goal in the competition, their back six are very competent in the tackle and highly disciplined, Patrick McCarthy at full back has been of the stars of the tournament while Ryan Magill and Eoin McKernan have also stood out, centre back Magill is the man likely to be tasked with keeping tabs on Lennon and it's a task that he will relish. Powerful midfielder Odhran Murdock has been totally dominant and the possible return to fitness of Conlin Bradley would really bolster Burren's chances.  The Burren forward line are a mix of power, strength, speed and skill every Clan Na Gael defender will be pushed to the limit to curb an attack that amassed an astonishing 10-35 in two games.  The towering Zach Murdock and James Duggan are the ideal target men while Eoin Loughran, Zach and Aaron Murdock all are well aware of where the posts are.  The man the Lurgan side will have to watch most though is centre forward Niall Toner, capable of scoring with either foot from a variety of angles, Toner appears almost impossible to mark and he is the man that could hold the key to bringing the title back to the Mournes.       
Burren manager Neil Coulter is aware that his side will not have it all their own way on Sunday 'We are delighted and proud to be representing Burren in Sundays Paul McGirr U16 Ulster Final. With perseverance and determination we hope to emulate the success of our 2014 team. We have reached this years final by hard work, dedication and 100% commitment from a panel of 41 players who all played their part. Despite this we know that with Clan Na Gael (a club with Ulster Championship history) we are in for a tough game! Having watched them closely in Saturdays other semi final, they will cause us plenty of problems. With their pace and strong defensive set-up they held Rossa scoreless through the entire second half which was very impressive - we will need to be on our guard! We would like to congratulate the Dromore club on running a fantastic competition for players and supporters alike.'

The hurt of losing out in last year's semi final may provide the key ingredient for Burren as they seek to regain a title they won in 2014. With thirteen of the team that started last year's semi final defeat Burren have an experienced side that belies their tender years, they play as a team who are well aware of each others strengths and weaknesses and are extremely accurate in front of the posts. However it can be argued that they have not really been put to the pin of their collar so far in this years tournament and Clan Na Gael will bring a level of tenacity they have not yet faced, it is how Burren react to this that will determine the destination of the Cuchulainn trophy. It promises to be a high scoring encounter, Clan Na Gael will fight to the bitter end but the extra scoring power may just give Burren the edge.  For those that cannot make the game, it will be streamed live via the 'Spirit Of Paul McGirr' Facebook page, coverage will start from 1:45. All proceeds from the game go to the Spirit Of Paul McGirr Foundation for their work with under privileged and less able bodied children in Lusaka, Zambia.

lurganblue

A hard day's work for our lads but every one of them did the club proud. That is a special Burren side.

Just a note to say what a great tournament ran by Dromore. They put on a quare spread for everyone on a very cold day. Brilliant stuff.

PMG1

Cheers Lurganblue, we don't like to send anyone home hungry. That is a special Burren team, perhaps the best team we have ever had in the tournament and that includes the great Glen team that cleared up at minor and u21 level in Ulster. Your lads done themselves proud as did your support, some very good footballers in that team, especially young Callum O'Neill, one to look out for

tyroneman

Anyone know if this will be continued as an Ulster u15 comp?

Was a brilliant tournament.

PMG1

Quote from: tyroneman on October 04, 2021, 12:59:01 PM
Anyone know if this will be continued as an Ulster u15 comp?

Was a brilliant tournament.
It would be more likely to continue as the U17 competition as this is what it originally was before the Ulster Council requested it to move to U16. There are no tournaments this year but it's likely to resume next year if the Ulster Council can find room in the revised calendar for it. The charity has suffered greatly with covid so the re-start is badly needed

City Dweller

How will that fit in with St Paul's tournament? It was the "Ulster Minor" competition.

Also assume Creggan keen to get the U20 grade one going again. (moving from U21)

bennydorano

Dromintee beat Errigal Ciaran fairly convincingly today in the final. Watched the 2nd half on Facebook, 3.6 to 0.5 or so. Lot of expectation on this Dromintee side. They'll hardly do a Glen but the St Paul's Tournament will obviously be coming into focus next year