Ulster success a step in the right direction for Dromintee

DROMINTEE joint-manager Kevin Toale believes the experience gathered in their successful Paul McGirr expedition will be invaluable for the team heading towards the senior grade.

The Armagh u-16 champions – who have five starters back on board next season – easily defeated Carryduff in the semi-final and Errigal Ciaran in the decider in Dromore, holding their opponents to a combined 0-8 across the two fixtures.

It’s history for the club, a first provincial title in what was the first time a male team from the club had entered an Ulster series.

Goals from Player of the Tournament Diarmaid O’Rourke and a superb Odhran Carnegie finish had left them in control against the Tyrone champions at the break, but a swirling wind meant that nothing could be taken for granted.

“We were pretty apprehensive going into the changing rooms at half time despite the lead as there was a difficult wind that we were facing into in the second half and we knew that Errigal were going to come at us and they did,” said Toale, who takes the side with 2002 All-Ireland winner Aidan O’Rourke and Stephen Dyas.

“We found it very hard to get out but when we calmed down we rectified that. have been working tremendously hard on our tackling and the players are very disciplined in that regard.

“This has really made Christmas special for Dromintee,” he added of the 3-6 to 0-5 final win.