ARMAGH Under 21 full-back Tony McEntee believes the absence of Derry captain Johnny McBride could be decisive in the outcome of Sunday’s Ulster final between the two sides.
McBride is suspended, having been sent off in last Sunday’s NFL semi-final win over Monaghan and added to the loss through injury of Enda Muldoon, his absence is a big blow to the All-Ireland champions.
“McBride is a great player for Derry and has been in this situation before,” says the Crossmaglen man.
“But more importantly he is their captain and they will miss his leadership qualities.
“Enda Muldoon is also a big loss for them as he gets through a lot of work at midfield.”
Derry’s double blow is not making the Orchard men over-confident for Sunday’s game added McEntee: “We know what we are capable of and we realise that in our two games so far against Tyrone and Down we have not played to our full potential.’’
Armagh: P Hearty, B McArdle, T McEntee, K McElvanna, S O’Hare, P Watters, J Toal, A O’Neill, J McEntee, P Oldham, P Loughran, P McKeever, N McParland, B Duffy, D McAuley Subs: B Matthews, S McDonnell, M O’Hegan, S McKeever, Gary Mone, D Loye, P McCormack, B Malley.
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THERE were some excellent performances as the National Boys Championships began at the National Stadium in Dublin, starting in the Boys One class as Shane Cunningham of St Bronagh’s trotted out a 14-7 win over Sacred Heart’s Brendan Dowling.
Then there were the excellent displays by Newry boxers Eddie Ward and Des Toman of the Sacred Heart club. Ger McGilloway of Derry’s Oak Leaf club was among the best on the night.
He scored 20-1 over Pat Mongan of Camlough.
The tall McGilloway made full use of his advantage.
Then there was Gerry McCullough of Newhill who emerged a 9-3 winner over Mick Cox of Portlaoise.
The Bishop Kelly club came up with an impressive operator in Cathal Donnelly a 21-2 winner of Peter Conroy of Dublin’s Drimnagh.
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SOLITUDE could play host to 5,000 spectators on Saturday when Cliftonville bid to win the club’s first Irish League title for 88 years. Glentoran supporters have been allocated 1,500 tickets for the game.
The Glens, due to Tuesday evening’s 2-2 draw with Ballymena, cannot win the title but do maintain an interest in the runners-up spot and subsequent passport into European competition next season
Last night tickets for the main stand at Solitude were sold within 40 minutes.
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OUCH: Correction: A report in yesterday’s Club Call suggested that a promotional evening for Bredagh GFC at Ballyskeagh greyhound stadium next month would feature a free bar. This was incorrect, and the reference should have been to a late bar. We regret the error.
