Sunday presents a golden opportunity to the youngsters of Dungiven and Four Masters as the pair collide in the finale of the St Paul’s Ulster Minor Tournament, the first since 2019 after a two-year Covid enforced absence.
Both sides have impressed throughout the duration of the competition and the Donegal champions may just start the decider as slight favourites, given their route to the final.
They’ve had to do it the hard way, not only coming from the preliminary round but also upsetting the odds in the St Stephen’s Day semi-final, when they downed Tyrone champions and favourites for the competition Donaghmore.
The aid of a huge first half breeze helped Damien Dunnion’s men build up an eight-point, and ultimately uncatchable, lead at half time and they showed enough quality and maturity to see the game out after the turnaround.
Conor Meehan was the main man up front, finishing the game with a personal haul of 1-5, and his first half goal proved crucial. Daniel Quinn, Caolan Sweeney and Seanan Carr also chipped in with one point apiece.
In the earlier rounds, Four Masters needed five goals from Carr (2), Meehan, Kevin Muldoon and Oisin Doherty, to see off St Molaise of Fermanagh, winning 5-4 to 2-10 in the end, before clinching a one-point triumph over Armagh’s Clan na Gael in the quarter-final.
Dungiven have been in flying form right from the off. They overcame Ramor United of Cavan 3-12 to 0-11 in the opening round, with goals from their talisman Odhran Murphy, Conor Gaile and Ryan McCloskey.
Their last four clash with Down champions Burren was much more of a battle, but the Derry men did enough to grind out a 2-11 to 3-6 win, with Donach McGonigle and star man Murphy rattling the net.
Given the goal scoring form both sides have displayed throughout the tournament, Sunday’s clash has all the potential to be a thrilling shootout.
If Dungiven can get their hands on the Jim McConville Cup, which they previously did in 1990 beating Aodh Ruadh of Donegal, they’ll be the third team in a row to do so from the Oak Leaf County.
Lavey were the most recent winners in 2019, beating Donegal opponents Termon in the final, while Bellaghy claimed the title in 2018.
A Donegal team hasn’t been crowned Ulster champions since Aodh Ruadh in 1992, so history is against Four Masters tomorrow. Still, they’ll go in as favourites and have a great chance of ending Donegal’s long wait, but they certainly won’t get anything easy.
