Paul McGirr u16 Championship

[ONeill]

Video: See St Michael's from Donegal beat Carrickmore in the Ulster U-16 QFs today in Dromore http://jeromequinnmedia.com/video/Paul-McGirr/Donegal/St-Michaels-Donegal-beat-Carrickmore-1365

Nice point - http://jeromequinnmedia.com/video/Paul-McGirr/St-Michaels/Wide-of-the-mark-1375

[Any craic]

Video: See a superb 9-man move from today, Saturday, as St Brigid's reach the Paul McGirr Ulster U-16 Final in Dromore.. http://jeromequinnmedia.com/video/Paul-McGirr/St-Brigids/Superb-St-Brigids-reach-Ulster-Final--1376

[PMG1]

St Brigids (Antrim) 1-07 v St. Michaels (Donegal) 0-07
Antrim champions St Brigids advanced to the final of the Paul McGirr Tournament on a scoreline of 1-7 to 0-7 at Gardrum Park Dromore on Saturday.  The opening half was dominated by St Brigids who led by 1-5 to 0-2 at the short whistle.  St Michaels had a number of early opportunities to open their scoring but wayward shooting and attempting to score from awkward angles proved fruitless.  St Brigids with man of the match Patrick Finnegan impressive in midfield opened the scoring ten minutes into the game with points from Peter Webb and Joe Finnegan before St Michaels responded with a point from Colin McFaddden.  The crucial score of the game then came from an angled pass come shot across the St Michaels goal which was deflected into his own net by the unfortunate St. Michaels captain Jamie Hunter.  Further pressure from St Brigids led to two more goal opportunities but fantastic saves from Dean McColgan kept the Dunfanaghy boys  in the game.  St Brigids added three more points to their total from the lively Peter Webb, Patrick Finnegan and James Smith.  St Michaels replied with an excellent point just before the half time whistle from midfielder Colin McFadden.  The second half saw a great fight back from St Michaels who gained control of midfield and a point from Ciaran McGinley and two from lively corner forward Liam Kelly reduced the deficit to three points.  Peter Webb and John Blaney took some pressure off the Antrim champions with vital scores but in the final five minutes the St Brigids defence with Paul Storrs and Brogan Austin making timely tackles and interceptions held out to reach the final on Sunday 23rd November where they will face Burren.

[Any craic]

The build-up to the Final starts here... Patrick Finnegan MoM for St Brigid's in the semi talks the talk..
http://jeromequinnmedia.com/video/Paul-McGirr/St-Brigids/Amazing-to-be-in-Ulster-Final---Patrick-Finnegan-1380

[PMG1]

2014 Paul McGirr Ulster U16 Club Champions Tournament Final
   
This Sunday at 2:00 in Gardrum Park Dromore, Down champions Burren will face Antrim champions St. Brigids in the final of the 2014 Paul McGirr Ulster U16 Club Champions Tournament.  It will be a game between one of Ulster's oldest and most successful clubs against one of it newest clubs with St. Brigids only having been formed 16 years ago this week.  Burren enter the final having come through what appears to have been the toughest side of the draw which saw them secure narrow victories over Armagh's Clann Eireann and a highly fancied Dungiven side, in both games Burren were put to the pin of their collars but a mixture of tremendous fighting spirit and undoubted talent saw the emerge from each game with their reputations enhanced.  Playing an attractive style of football with an emphasis on attacking play they have been a hugely impressive side and will be entering the final as the bookies favourites.  According to manager Jimmy McAlinden their acheivements to date have not come as a surprise "As Down Champions and having overcome a much fancied Clann Eireann side, we were surprised to be tagged as underdogs going into the Ulster semi-final against Dungiven.  We go into Sundays final, knowing we still have the ability to raise our game further. The team is strong in all areas. We have top-class defenders in Conor Cox and Peter Fegan; more usually on opposing sides, playing Colleges football for the Abbey and St Colman's respectively. At midfield Aidan Fitzpatrick and Liam Kerr have been consistent throughout the tournament. Aidan is strong, reliable and dependable in the centre of the field whereas Liam is unafraid to break forward whenever an opportunity arises. Playmaker Shea Murdock has created many chances for his cousin Declan Murdock who has been lethal in front of goals, well-supported by the emerging Conor McCartan who scored both goals in the semi-final.  With players such as these, we know that we are capable of winning this tournament and just hope that the little bit of luck, on which games can turn, is with us on the day. Sincere thanks to the organisers of the Spirit of Paul McGirr tournament for giving us the opportunity to compete at this level. Thanks also to our many generous sponsors and supporters who we know are here behind us today."

Their opponents St. Brigids however will not be coming into the final without hope and they will be looking to emulate the recent success of Antrim sides in the tournament with O'Donovan Rossa (2011) and St. Endas Glngormley (2012) both having claimed the title in recent years.  Under the tutelage of Greg Finnegan and Jack Dowling, they defeated a physical Crosserlough in the first round and then last week overcame Donegal champions St. Michaels in a very defensive low scoring semi final.  With the physically imposing Finnegan twins Patrick and Joe in midfield they will be expecting to shade the possession stakes in this area and up front they will be looking again for big performances from Peter Webb who has been one of the stars of the tournament so far and John Blayney, who will be donning the No. 11 jersey that his father, Down great Greg Blayney, wore on many occasions.  Their defence who struggled somewhat against Crosserlough conceding 2-09 certainly made great improvements last week against St. Michaels conceding only seven points and they will be hoping for a similar performance this week against a prolific Burren attack.  Their coach Dowling is looking forward to the occasion and the challenge that Burren will present "Our whole club is buzzing about this tournament and it has given a great boost to everyone involved with the club.  It is our first ever Ulster Final.  The club is 16 years old this week and it would be a tremendous way to end the season to win an Ulster title.  Our lads have shown serious maturity in being able to cling on to the lead last Saturday even though they weren't playing anywhere near what they are capable of.  We can't wait for Sunday against a very strong Burren side who are obviously favouites but we'll just see what happens on the day, hopefully the boys can do themselves justice with their performance."

There are some great battles in store, no more so than the midfield area where the Finnegans come up against Fitzpatrick and the excellent Kerr who has notched seven points in the two games to date. The quality of the Paul McGirr tournament this year so far has been first class and no doubt Sundays game will live up to expectations.  The magnificent Cuchaillan trophy will be heading up the M1 motorway on Sunday, but whether it will be in the hands of Burrens Cox or St. Brigids Patrick Finnegan we will have to wait and see.

[bannside]

Good PR there PMG1.

Hope the final turns out to be a good spectacle. Antrim sides have a good record here (winners in 2011 & 2012) but Burren look an exceptional side and will be hard to beat. Great club with great structure and ambition - I met them when they stayed with our club at the feile last year before going on to win it.

A bit of novelty value lies in that St Brigids manager Greg Finnegan is taking his first ever team. Greg was a county full back for a decade and was a playing member of St Pauls at that time along with brother Donagh, Anto Finnegan (no relation) and half a dozen other county players at that time. The guy helping him is Jack Dowling, son of Dermot who played for Armagh and QUB back in the day.

Gregs twin boys are midfield for St Brigids. Patrick got MOTM last week, and Joseph is captain I think and they double up as rugby players for Belfast Inst - with whom they had an important game on the very night before their semi final win against St Michaels!

Should be a good final and hopefully I will make it down.

[Walter Cronc]

Do the 2 Finnegan lads attend RBAI bannside or are you referring to Instonians rugby club? Is that common? I thought Methody would have been a more 'neutral' school to attend.

[bannside]

Yes Walter it's RBAI - Belfast Inst. More than capable at the Rugby too, on Ulster development squads too. I know the lads fairly well - their Dad and I are first cousins.

[Walter Cronc]

Cheers BS. Thats good to know!!

[Any craic]

There's an interview here with Jack Dowling looking ahead to the Final..
http://www.hoganstand.com/ArticleForm.aspx?ID=227981

[PMG1]

Cheers BS, no doubt Burren are an exceptional team, very solid all round but Cox at full back and young Kerr in midfield (still underage next year!) are great prospects.  As you say, plenty of good stock in the St. Brigids team with the Finnegans and Greg Blayney junior, they have an intelligent and fast moving forward line but I just worry about their defence's ability to keep the Burren attack quiet.  However, as Walter knows with Glen, never under-estimate Antrim underage teams as they have caused a shock or two over the last few years.

The most impressive thing about the St. Brigids team is their discipline, they really do seem to be a team who carry themselves well and their dignity in victory in both games so far would set an example for a lot of teams.  The 2 Finnegans lads in particular are as fine a 2 lads as you would wish to meet.  Regarding Jack Dowling, I had the pleasure of being coached by his father Dermot in my own Queens days and it is obvious he has passed a few of his traits onto his son.

It promises to be an entertaining final, hope to see you all there, the kettle will be on the boil!

[Any craic]

Video: See the only goal as Burren win the Ulster title today in Dromore.. http://jeromequinnmedia.com/video/Paul-McGirr/Burren/Burren-win-Ulster-Title-No-8-1383

[PMG1]

Another unbelievable game of football today folks, Burren emerging 1-09 to 0-10 winners but were made to fight all the way but St. Brigids who were unlucky not to snatach a winning goal from a couple of late chances.  This really was football at its purist, superb scores, great hits and amazing tension right to the final whistle, great crowd too, report to follow.

[PMG1]

Burren 1-09 v St. Brigids 0-10

Those from Down and Antrim who made the long journey to Dromore on Sunday afternoon, and the many neutrals present will all feel they witnessed one of the best games of youth football seen in the province in years as Down champions Burren added yet another Ulster title to the impressive array the club has already attained. Burren came into this game as raging hot favourites, however such was the commitment of the city lads that Burren were hanging on by their finger tips at the end as they edged a classic 1-9 to 0-10 in front of a large and appreciative crowd in a resplendent Gardrum Park.

The winners began well opening the scoring in the second minute with a pointed free from Declan Murdock. St Brigids levelled a minute later before Ronan Fegan flicked the ball to the St Brigids net from a Shea Murdock lay off to put Burren three in front.

Burren were enjoying the majority of possession but squandered several chances to move further ahead as St Brigids were forced to work hard defensively. Patrick Finnegan scored his team's second point but scores from Shay and Declan Murdock ensured Burren remained in control on the scoreboard. Referee Mickey Mc Cann allowed the match to flow and the pace remained relentless with great blocks, timely tackles and big hits being put in all over the pitch. The teams swapped further scores in the closing eight minutes of the opening half as the sides reached the break with Burren 1-6 to 0-7 in front.

Most neutrals expected Burren to build on their lead as they were playing with the aid of a slight breeze after the break, however it was St Brigids who began the second half on fire. A brace of points inside the opening two minutes courtesy of Peter Lavery and James Smith signalled the Antrim Champions intent, levelling the match and suddenly it was game on. Burren struggled to cope with St Brigids work rate and intensity as the Malone Road boys fought like demons for every ball. Their midfield pairing of Patrick and Joseph Finnegan drove their team forward at every opportunity, man of the match Phelim Lennon and nippy corner forward Peter Lavery came more and more into the game. A superb long range 50 yard free with the outside of the left boot from Declan Murdock gave Burren the lead again before St Brigids levelled once more with a point from Ethan Carleton midway through the second half.

Burren were forced to dig deep into their reserves and managed to add points from Ronan Fegan and Declan Murdock to put daylight between the sides. However as the game entered the closing minutes it was St Brigids who were on top. They missed several chances of goals while Burren keeper Jack Brady made a match winning save from Joseph Finnegan to deny St Brigids a certain goal late in the game.

Sadly for St Brigids time ran out and with sixty three minutes played the final whistle sounded much to the delight of the delirious Burren support. It was heartbreak for the young Antrim lads but they can take some comfort in knowing that themselves and Burren had just served up a hugely entertaining and memorable game. Captain Conor Cox who made a couple of heroic diving blocks in the dying minutes lifted the wonderful Cuchuaillan trophy and according to Burren manager Jimmy McAlinden it was certainly one that was going to be cherished in the Burren club rooms "During the week we showed the boys the photos on the clubroom walls of all the successful Ulster title winning Burren teams and we had a photo of these boys with a question mark beside them, we asked them if they wanted to join these other teams and they responded in style today. St. Brigids gave us a magnificent battle and were somewhat unlucky in the end but this is a special bunch of players who deserved the plaudits they were getting. I am looking forward to the bus journey home and taking this title back to the Mourne's".

Burren: Jack Brady, Shea Fitzpatrick, Conor Cox (Capt), Shane O'Hare, Ardan McAvoy, Peter Fagan, Darragh Murdock, Liam Kerr (0-1) , Aidan Fitzpatrick (0-1), Ronan Fegan (0-1), Shea Murdock (0-1), Ciaran McAdam, Thomas Travers, Declan Murdock (1-5 3f), Conor McCartan
Subs: Aaron Laverty for Ciaran McAdam

St. Brigids: Ruairi Lynch, Frank McCormick, Paul Stoors, Oran Boyle, Daire McGarvey, Brogan Austin (0-1), Mattie Loan (0-2), Joseph Finnegan (capt), Patrick Finnegan (0-1), Peter Webb (0-1 1f), John Blayney, Phelim Lennon (0-1), Peter Lavery (0-1), James Smith (0-2), Ethan Carleton (0-1)

[Any craic]

Here's a review of the Paul McGirr Ulster U-16 Club Champions Tournament with Dromore Chairman Barry Campbell..  http://jeromequinnmedia.com/video/Paul-McGirr/Burren/Fantastic-Tournament---Paul-McGirr-Review-1386