Derry begin McGurk Cup defence

Derry won last year’s Conor McGurk Tournament

By Niall McCoy

DERRY’S defence of the Conor McGurk tournament starts this Saturday when they face Donegal at Queen’s (1.30pm).

The Oakleaf hurlers won the inaugural event 12 months ago, and will fancy coming out of a group that also contains Down and St Mary’s.

The other group features Armagh, Ulster University, Queen’s and Antrim. The two group winners will play off in the final on Saturday 23 January at 7pm.

Derry won last year’s event following a 2-16 to 1-15 victory over Armagh – Liam Hinphey and Alan Grant with their goals.

The tournament is named to honour the memory of Queen’s Hurling Club Past Member Conor McGurk. Conor read sciences at Queen’s and was an active member of the university hurling club. He played in two Fitzgibbon finals and was twice picked as goalkeeper on Combined University teams, the highest accolade in Higher Education hurling.

n.mccoy@gaeliclife.com

Queens University Conor McGurk Tournament

Fixture schedule

Round one

Saturday 2nd January 12pm (Group A) Queen’s Vs Antrim

Saturday 2nd January 1.30pm (Group B) Donegal Vs Derry

Sunday 3rd January 12pm (Group B) St Mary’s Vs Down

Sunday 3rd January 1.30pm (Group A) Armagh Vs UUJ

Round two

Saturday 9th January 12pm (Group A) Antrim Vs UUJ

Saturday 9th January 1.30pm (Group B) Derry Vs St Mary’s

Sunday 10th January 12pm (Group A) Queen’s Vs Armagh

Sunday 10th January 1.30pm (Group B) Down Vs Donegal

Round three

Saturday 16th January 12pm (Group A) Queen’s Vs UUJ

Saturday 16th January 1.30pm (Group B) St Mary’s Vs Donegal

Sunday 17th January 12pm (Group A) Antrim Vs Armagh

Sunday 17th January 1.30pm (Group B) Derry Vs Down

Final

Saturday 23rd January 7pm Group A winner Vs Group B winner

In the event of equal points, final standings will be decided on the head to head results in the group in the first instance and by scores accumulated overall in the three games should the first criteria not separate teams.