CM Precision Components Ulster Club Minor Football semi-final: Enniskillen Gaels v St Mary’s, Burren (today, St Paul’s Complex, 1.30pm)
Both Enniskillen and Burren are hoping that influential players will be fit to line-out in today’s first semi-final of the Ulster Club Minor Football competition, at St Paul’s GAC in Belfast.
Timothy Boyd (Enniskillen) and Declan Murdock (Burren) are the players rated highly doubtful for the clash and a decision on either player’s fitness will not be made until as late as possible, even after the teams have had their pre-match warm-up.
“Bruising above the knee is Timothy’s problem,” says Gaels’ joint manager John Rehill.
“He has been receiving physio and acupuncture but he must be regarded as a highly doubtful starter. He may be able to take some part in the game but it will be a late decision.”
It is a somewhat similar story from the Burren camp as sharpshooter Declan Murdock (right) is in a race for fitness.
“Declan has a groin injury,” reveals selector Gerry McEntee, who returns to pastures old at St Paul’s.
“We are just hoping that rest will help Declan’s problem as he would be a big loss if he can’t play.”
In a tight game with Dunloy, last time out, Murdock scored half of Burren’s winning tally of 10 points, three of them from free-kicks. That sort of target hitting can be crucial when the chips are down.
“We watched Burren in that win over Dunloy and we were very impressed with the team’s performance,” recalls John Rehill.
“They are a well organised outfit, experienced too, and any team that comes out of Burren must be highly regarded. Even the name of Murdock recalls great times for the club and, of course, Burren won the Paul McGirr U16 Trophy two years ago.”
McEntee admits that he knows little about Enniskillen Gaels, apart from the fact that this is the club’s second year in a row to reach the semi-finals, but he stresses that any team which gets to the last four in this prestigious competition has to be regarded highly.
Gaels inflicted the first defeat of the year on Cavan champions Crosserlough in the quarter-finals, a game the Breffni boys were expected to win. The Erneside titleholders were helped by the red card dismissal of James Smith early in the second half. Two late goals by super-sub Gavin Green polished off Crosserlough.
No doubt Burren have noted that finish by the Gaels and will not be caught napping. St Mary’s are an experienced outfit at this level, while Enniskillen has lost two-thirds of the 2015 side that reached the semi-finals and 10 of the present side are eligible for minor again in 2017.