Ulster Freshers aiming to bridge a seven-year gap

By Michael McMullan

DONEGAL All-Star and Young Footballer of the year Finnbarr Roarty will lead Ulster University Freshers into this week’s All-Ireland A League final.

The Ulster side will face ATU Galway on Thursday night (7.30pm) at the GAA’s National Games Development Centre in Abbotstown.

Six Ulster counties are represented in a squad that also includes Louth’s Leinster u-20 winner Conor Mac Criosta.

The Ulster team is under the management team of Benny Hurl, Pat Hughes, James Wray, Frank Fitzsimmons and Jim McAlinden.

They are in search of a first title since the 2018 winning team that included Barry McCambridge, Dominic McEnhill, Finn McElroy, Ryan and Dalaigh Jones.

This year’s team reached the knock-out stages with wins over QUB and Dundalk IT.

University of Galway conceded the quarter-final, setting up Monday’s semi-final with UCC.

Goals from Luke Grant (2) and Luke Mc Guinness helped them to a 3-14 to 0-10 victory.

Aside from Roarty, the Ulster squad had a core of Derry players from their All-Ireland winning minor teams.

Johnny McGuckian, Dara McGuckin, Luke Grant and Cormac Óg McCloskey were all part of the squads managed by former UUJ Fresher winner Damian McErlain.

Ulster University squad: Liam Carroll (Armagh), Cathal Ó Gallchóir (Donegal), Luke Quinn (Down), Luke Grant (Derry), Dara McGuckin (Derry), Aaron Haughey (Armagh), Finnbarr Roarty (Capt – Donegal), Michael McSorley (Armagh), Luke McGuinness (Donegal), Johnny McGuckian (Derry), Conor Mac Criosta (Louth), Padraig O’Keefe (Armagh), Cormac Óg McCloskey (Derry), Aaron Magennis (Armagh), Luke McKenna (Monaghan), Dara McGillan (Armagh), Odhran Nugent (Tyrone), Senan Carolan (Monaghan), Dara Harney (Armagh), Adam McCarey (Monaghan), Caoimhin Wray (Derry), Lorcan McGonigle (Donegal), Marty Óg Flanagan (Down), Conal McGeough (Armagh)