THURSDAY’S draw for the Ulster U21 football championship paired holders Glen with Cavan champions Ramor United, with the Derry men on course for three in-a-row.
Glen’s grasp on their title was hanging by a thread in the Derry final against Swatragh. With seconds remaining the Davitts spurned a gilt-edged chance to win the game. In extra-time Glen pulled clear by nine points, aided by Tiarnan Flanagan’s goal.
Ramor racked up a 5-15 to 2-8 win over Assan Gaels in the Cavan final but Glen boss Enda Gormley referred to underage as "a means to an end" when speaking at last night’s official launch.
“It’s not the be all and end all, our main motivation is a Derry senior championship,” Gormley added.
Last season, Kilcar were robbed of their county contingent for the Ulster opener with Magheracloone. Stephen McBrearty, Eoin and Ryan McHugh were withdrawn from club duty by Rory Gallagher to play a challenge game for Donegal.
This season, Gaoth Dobhair are the champions in the North West but the club versus county situation will again need a resolution. Michael Carroll, Daire and Naoise Ó Baoill are named on the U21 squad expected to represent the county in the McKenna Cup.
Gaoth Dobhair will face Aghagallon, who won the club’s first ever grade A championship– after coming back with entirely the same team which lost last year’s Antrim final to St John’s
With school and club fixtures crossing over, the schedule will be finalised over the ‘next few days’. Clubs will be notified this week, with the first game scheduled for Sunday January 15.
“The competition is going from strength to strength,” explained tournament organiser Colm McLarnon. “We have no representative from Fermanagh but they don’t have a championship. All the other counties are keen and looking forward to this competition.”
Stewartstown had a narrow 0-8 to 0-7 win over Coalisland to lift the Tyrone title and now face Monaghan’s Donaghmoyne, who also won the Farney intermediate crown with 10 of their U21 team on board.
Of the seven tournaments so far, Burren (2) and Bryansford brought the cup home to the Mournes. This year Down’s representatives are Mayobridge who narrowly lost the 2012 final to Omagh.
Under the leadership of manager Brendan Grant, the ‘Bridge are back again this season and were pulled out in the tie of the round against Armagh kingpins Crossmaglen.
The winners will be presented with the Paddy McLarnon Cup and for the second year, the Eddie Fitz Cup will be presented to the top scorer.
QUARTER-FINAL DRAW
Glen (Derry) v Ramor United (Cavan); Aghagallon (Antrim) v Gaoth Dobhair (Donegal); Stewartstown (Tyrone) v Donaghmoyne (Monaghan); Crossmaglen (Armagh) v Mayobridge (Down)
