2024 Paul McGirr Ulster U16 Club Championship Final Preview

All roads lead to Gardrum Park Dromore this Sunday at  2pm. when the 2024 Paul McGirr Ulster U16 Club Championship reaches its conclusion with Derry champions Magherafelt O’Donovan Rossa facing off against reigning champions Dromintee St. Patricks of Armagh. Both sides have been very impressive on route to the final and will come into the game with a degree of confidence that they can annex the Ulster title.

It can be argued that Dromintee have come through the tougher side of the draw having overcome a talented Burren side in the quarter final before dispatching of Cavan champions Denn in emphatic fashion on Monday evening.

Featuring seven of the side who created history for their club last year in winning the South Armagh side’s first title at Ulster level they are extremely comfortable at this level and with the Gardrum Park surroundings, so will not be overawed with the showpiece occasion on Sunday.

Tomas Fox at full back and full forward Gavin O’Rourke both featured for Armagh side that played in the All Ireland U17 final last year and have been among the stand out talent’s in the Paul McGirr competition this year but it has been roving wing forward Ronan Martin , who has been most impressive for the Armagh side, a noted scoretaker with a ravenous workrate and he will certainly be on Magherafelt’s radar for special attention.

Aodhan O’Neill, Oisin McCrink and Emmett Mullen form a strong half back line who are all well accustomed to turning defence to attack, Peter Rice and Jarlath O’Neill in midfield have been impressive to date and backed up by the roving Scott Harris will provide Magherafelt with their toughest test to date.

Having been there last year Dromintee will be looking forward to the occasion and determined to bring the coveted Cuchaillan trophy back to Armagh once again, a point underlined by their manager Shane McCoy “We are really looking forward to being involved on Sunday. It’s been a long season but nobody minds that when it means being able to play in an Ulster final at the end of it. It makes all the training sessions and sacrifices worthwhile” stated former Louth star McCoy. “Magherafelt will prove to be a very tough test for our lads. They have a decent tradition in schools football and that usually means a competitive club team. The standard of this years competition has been very high and Magherafelt have been impressive right from the start.

“We put in a decent performance against Denn in the semi final. We did have some areas we needed to improve from that game and we have addressed them at our coaching sessions this week. It’s an intense time for the players as they are trying to juggle schools football and club football at the minute. We have a few niggles which we hope will clear up for the weekend but if not it will give some other lads and opportunity.

“We have some players who competed at this stage of the competition last season but like Magherafelt we will have a number of players playing in this game for the first time. Again conditions will play a part in Sunday’s game. Winter football can level the playing field at times and it’s possibly whoever adapts best to these conditions and performs the basic skills best, will be on the right side of the result. Our club are very proud of being in a second Ulster final in a row at this age group and it’s a great experience and development for our players. The tournament to date has had a good showing from all team’s supporters and hopefully on Sunday that’s the same.”

There is no doubt that Magherafelt have been the stand out team in the competition this season amassing a combined 5-32 and conceding only 0-10 in their two games to date defeating Monaghan champions Donaghmoyne and Donegal’s Four Maters leaving no doubt that the Derry champions are one of the most talented sides to have appeared at this level.

They won the All Ireland Grade 2 Feile last year and have continued that form into this season, playing with a ruthless edge matched with an intense workrate they look well capable of backing up their pedigree with an Ulster title. The stylish Calum Leacock at centre back who could be featuring in his last game for his club before he embarks on a professional soccer career with West Ham United anchors a very well organised defence backed up by Tiernan McGlone and Tobias Beattie among others.

At midfield the towering partnership of Michal Higgins and Ronan Conway have been dominant in the competition to date with Higgins in particular also featuring heavily on the scoresheet for his side. But it is up front that the Derry champions have been most impressive, team captain Kian Maynes leads by example at full forward and his battle with the tough tackling Tomas Fox will be key to determining the outcome of the game. Half forwards Tony O’Hagan and Emmett Spiers will have to be watched closely too as Magherafelt go in search of their maiden Paul McGirr Ulster U16 title.

There has been a lot of talk about this Magherafelt side and to date they have lived up to the hype surrounding them but in Dromintee they will be meeting a battle hardened side who will not fear their reputation, a point head coach Kevin Purvis is well aware of “To be taking part in the Paul McGirr tournament alone has been a nice reward for winning our own county championship” said Purvis.

“The boys have enjoyed the experience and can be extremely proud of their performances against Donaghmoyne and Four Masters. To now find ourselves one game away from an Ulster title is really exciting and there is a great buzz around the group at the minute. We know we will face our toughest test yet in a strong and well drilled Dromintee side but again, we can’t wait to get going”

The final looks set to be a cracker as the two leading sides in Ulster at U16 go head to head. Dromintee’s experience from last year will stand to them, they have a well executed game plan and some seriously talented players who could well progress to senior county standard in the coming years, they will be no pushovers. But the nod would have to go an O’Donovan Rossa side who have been creating shockwaves throughout the province and beyond, their overall strength and power may just prove too much for Dromintee with their strong bench perhaps just tipping the odds in their favour. It looks set to be a heavyweight clash on Sunday and one not to be missed, all proceeds from the tournament go to the Spirit Of Paul McGirr Trust for their amazing work in Lusaka Zambia.