Burren reign supreme for third time in Paul McGirr tournament

Bellaghy (Derry) 1-09

Burren (Down) 1-06

The 2025 Paul McGirr Ulster U16 Club Championship has produced some wonderful contests this year, and Sunday’s final certainly lived up to expectations as a gallant Burren side added to their array of provincial titles, coming out on top in a terrific battle against Derry champions Bellaghy. Martin Brennan’s team created history in doing so, becoming the first club to win the coveted Cú Chulainn trophy for a third time, having previously claimed it in 2014 and 2018.

With the game in doubt due to incessant rain in the days beforehand, underfoot conditions were never going to be ideal, but huge credit must go to both teams for producing a wonderful display of football. Passion, pride and commitment were to the fore as both sides fought for every ball in a game superbly handled by referee Kieran Eanetta in front of a packed Páirc Ghearrdhroma.

Burren signalled their intentions early, with captain Sam Murdock opening the scoring. Murdock and Michael Trainor in particular defied the conditions, dictating play, spreading passes across the field and covering every blade of grass. Further points from Shane McGreevy and midfielder Dylan Kelly put the Down men three ahead as Bellaghy struggled to settle.

On a day when scores were hard earned, Bellaghy needed leadership, and it arrived from the tournament’s outstanding player, Jarlath McCartney. Played in by Oran Doyle, McCartney stepped inside his man before drilling the ball low to the corner past Patrick McAllister, instantly turning the game on its head. Doyle then knocked over two fine points, the second a lovely left-footed effort from the wing, as the Derry champions took control. Full forward Cadhan Rocks was unlucky not to add a second goal when his effort clipped the post with McAllister beaten.

McCartney then almost lifted the roof off the Canon Tom Breen Stand when he landed an astonishing two-pointer, sparking huge celebrations among the Bellaghy support. A close-range free from Murdock steadied Burren, but they still trailed 1-04 to 0-04 at the interval as the rain continued to fall.

Bellaghy stretched their lead early in the second half when raiding wing back Fearghal McLarnon saw his rasping effort just clear the crossbar. The standard of tackling and blocking from both teams was exceptional, bodies being thrown on the line on the treacherous surface — with Oran Glackin and Tom McErlain outstanding for Bellaghy and Michael Trainor immense for Burren.

Burren needed a response, and MFC Man of the Match Shane McGreevy, the perfect target for their kicking game, began the comeback with a superb outside-of-the-boot point. McGreevy’s energy and ball-winning were crucial as he continually created attacking platforms. The returning Ethan Harty, introduced at half-time for the injured Jonny Denner, and Patrick Murtagh added two more points to leave just one between the sides before the defining moment arrived.

A perfectly weighted delivery from wing back Odhran Trainor was cleverly dummied by McGreevy, wrong-footing Charlie McFall, and nestling in the net to send Burren into a lead they would never relinquish. A pointed free from Oran Glackin, after McCartney was impeded when bearing down on goal, proved to be Bellaghy’s final score.

Murdock, showing real leadership, then carried the ball fifty yards before sending over a stunning point as tension mounted with the finish line in sight. Three minutes later, he added another to leave three between the sides.

Bellaghy, renowned for their dramatic comebacks throughout the competition, pushed desperately for the goal they needed, but heroic defending kept them out. In the dying seconds, McAllister produced a superb reflex save to deny McCartney what would have been a deserved equaliser. Eanetta’s final whistle sparked scenes of celebration among the green and white, while a brave Bellaghy side fell to their knees — defeated but far from disgraced after a sensational campaign.

Reflecting on their historic victory, manager Martin Brennan paid tribute to his side’s character:
“I want to pay huge credit to Dromore for getting this match played in the conditions we faced. We knew it would be a heavy pitch and that the team willing to dig deepest would come out on top. We showed massive grit, character and fight. Bellaghy got a purple patch on us in the first half, but this team has shown unbelievable bounce-back ability all year — they never know when they’re beaten. It’s an unbelievable tournament and it’s about more than just football when you see what the charity does. Hopefully this is a step towards putting Burren back at the pinnacle of Down and Ulster football. There has been a drive and winning mentality in these lads from the moment we set out 11 months ago.”

Winning captain Sam Murdock was equally proud:
“Conditions were tough for both teams. They hit 1-04 without reply at one stage, but we just stuck at it. It’s fantastic to be history-makers winning it for a third time — a great accomplishment for everyone in the club.”

Bellaghy – Charlie McFall, Tom Harkin, Tom McErlain, Diarmuid Doherty, Oran Glackin (0-1, 1F), Cian O’Sullivan, Fearghal McLarnon (0-1), Gabriel Gormley, Jartlath McCartney (1-2), Donnacha Scullion, Oran Doyle (0-2), Adam Mulholland, Ruairi Hull, Cadhan Rocks and Aodhan Scullion

Subs: Mark Og McLarnon for D Scullion, Daniel McElhone for Hull, Cathan Loane for O’Sullivan

Burren – Patrick McAllister, Joe McGovern, Eoin Coulter, Ben Downey, Odhran Trainor (1-0), Cillian McCarthy, Patrick Murtagh (0-1), Jay Cunningham, Dylan Kelly (0-1), Sam Murdock (0-4, 2F), Matthew McCartan, Aidan McGivern, Michael Trainor, Shane McGreevy (0-2), Jonny Denner

Subs: Ethan Harty (0-1) for Denner