A decade of the Paul McGirr Cup

With the Ulster U-16 competition wrapped up for another season, we look at the winners over the last decade

2016

ST EUNAN’S – DONEGAL

THE Letterkenny side won the tournament for the first time, and they did it in fine style too with a thumping 6-10 to 1-6 win over Down champions Warrenpoint. Wing-forward Michael Gallagher was the man of the moment with a 3-2 tally with Conor O’Donnell, Patrick Tobin and Darragh Ellison also goaling. They were the first Donegal side to lift the trophy since Four Masters in 1997.

2017

KILCOO – DOWN

KILCOO and Crossmaglen have enjoyed a good rivalry over the years, but the Magpies were far too strong for the Armagh outfit as they eased to a 3-8 to 0-9 win. Shealan Johnston was just too elusive for the Rangers’ defence and he finished with 1-4 while Justin Clarke managed a brace. It was a first Ulster title for the club, but they’ve added to that haul at senior level since and a number of players from the day will hope for more provincial glory this weekend.

2018

CARRICKMORE – TYRONE

ONE of the best finals of the last decade as Tyrone’s Carrickmore defeated Derry’s Lavey on a 2-12 to 1-13 scoreline. Daniel Fullerton won and converted an early penalty to giver the Carmen men a foothold while Brian Conway landed a fortunate second-half major to seemingly put them in control. Lavey fought back though in the final quarter with Ryan Farrell’s goal bringing them right back into it, but fittingly Fullerton had the final say.

2019

BURREN – DOWN

THE St Mary’s club claimed a second title and did it with style as they destroyed Armagh’s Clan Na Gael 3-17 to 0-7. Odhran Murdock was easily the best player on show and he helped set up Michael Murdock for the first goal of the game. They led by eight points at the break and goals early in the second half from Niall Toner and James Duggan killed the game off as a contest.

2020-2022

THE Paul McGirr Tournament was not played during the Covid-19 pandemic with no matches played between the 2019 final and the start of the 2023 tournament.

2023

DROMINTEE – ARMAGH

A FIRST-EVER Ulster title for the south Armagh club at any level and they followed it up with a first-ever Armagh Minor title this season. They proved far too strong for Tyrone’s Errigal Ciaran with Diarmuid O’Rourke, son of joint-manager and 2002 All-Star Aidan, scoring an early goal with Odhran Carnegie lobbing home a brilliant second before Oisin Byrne wrapped up proceedings in a 3-6 to 0-5 win.

2024

MAGHERAFELT – DERRY

RED-HOT favourites Magherafelt looked like they were going to destroy back-to-back chasing Dromintee in the final as they led by 13 points at one stage with Daultagh Donnelly and Callum Leacock – who has since signed for West Ham – firing in first-half goals.

When Donnelly raised another green flag on the restart, the rout looked on, but Dromintee fought back brilliantly with Jack Casey grabbing two goals as they brought the gap back to three points, but Magherafelt held out and won 3-12 to 2-11.

2025

BURREN – DOWN

BURREN made history at the weekend by becoming the first club to lift the Cú Chulainn trophy for a third time with a 1-9 to 1-6 win over Derry champions Bellaghy.

With Jarlath McCartney in sensational form, Bellaghy led 1-4 to 0-4 at the break in tricky conditions, but the second half would belong to the famed Down club.

Odhran Trainor got the crucial goal with player of the match Shane McGreevy playing his part, on another brilliant day for Burren.