Bank of Ireland U21 Club Champions tournament
ANTRIM champions St John’s and Cavan’s Ramor United clash in the first of the quarter-finals in the Paddy McLarnon Cup at the Creggan Kickham’s grounds on Sunday.
The Johnnies, managed by ‘Locky’ McCurdy, Eddie McToal and Jimmy Wilson, successfully defended their county title last year and will field an experienced side, relatively speaking, that includes hurling stars Ciarán and Conor Johnston, full-forward Matt Fitzpatrick, who lined out for St Mary’s in the Dr McKenna Cup, as well as Pádraig and Daniel Nugent.
Ramor, managed by Michael McDermott, will field Killian Maguire and Brian O’Connell at midfield, while Seán McDermott is likely to start at full-forward for last year’s county minor and U21 winners.
In the second quarter-final, Tyrone champions Donaghmore take on St Patrick’s, Cullyhanna from Armagh. Cullyhanna, managed by former Orchard county star Malachy Mackin, are competing in the competition for the fourth time.
Phelim Savage and Shane Conlon have impressed at midfield this year for the south Armagh side, while Shea Hoey, Jason Duffy and Aodhán Conlon have all showed promise in attack.
Their opponents Donaghmore were Tyrone U21 champions for the first time last year and the Joe Daly-managed side is captained by Peter McKenna, who says they intend to “push on” from their county title.
“We know that Cullyhanna have won the past three Armagh championships, so they’re a good side,” said McKenna, son of former Tyrone star Eugene.
“It’s Tyrone-Armagh and we’re looking forward to facing them. It’s a big deal for us to be here and we’re very proud of what we’ve done, but we’re not happy about where we’re at now, we want to push on.”
Cullyhanna beat Killeavy to win their third Armagh U21 title on-the-trot (after losing the three previous finals). Gareth Mackin, captain of the Orchard champions and younger brother of manager Malachy, hopes the experience of playing in the tournament previously will stand his side in good stead for their opener.
“We don’t know much about them [Donaghmore] and I’m sure they don’t know much about us either,” Mackin said.
“We played Omagh before, so we have experience against the Tyrone teams. They’re all good teams, but hopefully we’re a wee bit better this year than we were before. We have a good strong core of players there, so hopefully that’ll bring us through.”
Mackin added: “We have been coming here for four years and we haven’t really put our stamp on it [the tournament] yet. This is the year, everyone is rowing in now and really getting behind it. We feel this is our year and we’re going to try and give it our best.
“In football, you’re in it for the good times and the bad times and hopefully we’ll have a good time this year and get that trophy. Watty Graham’s won it last year and they’re looking to retain their title. But everyone is in with a chance, everyone is county champions, everyone is coming here with momentum and good players. It’s just up to whoever turns up on the day.”
FIXTURES
Sunday, January 17
St John’s (Antrim) v Ramor United (Cavan) (12.30pm, referee: S McKinley, Armagh); Donaghmore (Tyrone) v Cullyhanna (Armagh) (2.15pm, referee: K Doherty, Antrim)
Saturday, January 23
Magheracloone (Monaghan) v Kilcar (Donegal) (12.30pm); Clonduff (Down) v Watty Graham's (Derry) (2.15pm)
