For the youngsters of Four Masters and Donaghmore, the Christmas dinners and selection boxes may have to be put to one side this weekend as they face off in the Ulster Minor Championship semi-final on Monday (Boxing Day).
It’s tradition for the last four clash to take place on Boxing Day at the St Paul’s tournament and the the two clubs won’t be complaining too much. Donegal champions Four Masters eventually shook off the challenge of Armagh’s Clan na Gael at the quarter-final stage, edging through with just one point to spare.
It was a tough test for the Tir Chonaill men, who showed serious bottle to fend off a late Clan na Gael comeback during the second period. Super sub Oisin Doherty was the goal scorer in their 1-10 to 1-9 victory, while accurate free taker Conor Meehan top scored with 0-4, all coming from dead ball efforts.
Conor McCahill chipped on with three points while Callum McCrea and Seanan Carr also split the posts. Doherty hit the net after coming off the bench when the Donegal champs saw off St Molaise, 5-4 to 2-10 in the preliminary round.
Carr (2), Kevin Muldoon and Meehan all raised green flags for their side as they battled past the Fermanagh representative. If Four Masters can get the job done, they’ll be the third Donegal team to reach the final in recent years, although St Eunan’s (2015) and Temon (2019) both lost out in their respective games.
Donegal clubs tend to have a poor record in the competition, Aodh Ruadh’s 1992 victory was the last time the Jim McConville Cup headed for the hills. Tyrone dominated the tournament in the mid-noughties, with Errigal Ciaran (2005), Coalisland (2006) and Omagh (2009) all being crowned Ulster Champions but a Tyrone side hasn’t contested the final day since.
Donaghmore will certainly have their eyes on another piece of silverware to add to their ever-growing collection. The Tyrone men are back-to-back league and championship winners in the Red Hand County and earned their place in the last four by beating Monaghan’s Scotstown by three points in the quarter-final.
Noah Grimes arrowed over a number of late frees to ensure their passage to the next round and Donaghmore had to do it with 14 men for most of the second half having lost full forward Ronan Molloy to a straight red card.
Cormac Draine was responsible for their first half major while Grimes finished with 0-8 to his name. Ronan and Aidan Molloy along with Joey Clarke all chipped in with points along the way to secure a three-point triumph.
Monday’s match should be a real Christmas cracker, with the possibility of reaching an Ulster decider there for both teams. Donaghmore are probably the favourites, given their domination in Tyrone of late, but they’ll face a stiff examination. It’s a huge opportunity for both club and a day they’ll always remember.
