Ulster U20 FC quarter-final: Tyrone v Monaghan (Friday, Healy Park, 8pm)
FIVE days after their thrilling Ulster SFC clash at Healy Park, Tyrone and Monaghan meet there again tonight in the Ulster U20 FC.
Farney fans will return to the Omagh venue with a bounce in their step, still buzzing with the joy of Sunday’s big win over the Red Hand county.
There’s a healthy rivalry at under-age level as well between these neighbouring counties, and that should make for an interesting contest.
While this is a new age group, it retains the traditional U21 knock-out system, unlike the re-designated U17 minor grade, which now has a qualifier element for the first time.
And with no accompanying league competition ahead of championship action, this really is sudden death, and five Ulster counties will play just one competitive game at this level in the entire season.
Victory, therefore, is vital at the Omagh venue this evening for two squads that have spent many months preparing for this fixture.
Monaghan’s senior management team has a strong Tyrone influence, and it doesn’t stop there, with former Red Hand star Ciaran McBride managing the county’s U20 team.
Healy Park will provide familiar surroundings for the former Omagh attacker, who has assembled a talented and physically strong Farney side.
The talented David Garland has tasted action with the senior side in the McKenna Cup, and up front he will conspire with Michael Bannigan and James Wilson in their bid to unlock a typically well organised Tyrone defence.
Josh Walshe has many of the attributes of older brother Colin as a solid and dynamic defender, and along with Frank Connolly and Colm Lennon, they will attempt to curb a Tyrone attack in which Matthew McGleenan, Ryan Gray and
Paul Donaghy pose a significant threat.
Skipper Conor Shields is set for a withdrawn role form the half forward line, while the Red Hands look strong in defence, with Antoin Fox, Conor Quinn and Ryan McCusker all well drilled by manager Paul Devlin and his assistant Dermot Carlin, both former Tyrone defenders.
“The lads have worked hard and most importantly they are enjoying it,” said Devlin, who insisted his players will be unaffected by the outcome of last Sunday’s Ulster SFC tie at the same venue.
“Whatever happened at the weekend will have no bearing on ourselves. It’s a different game, a different day, different players. This is a new dawn, a new day for us, and a new challenge. It’s all down to what happens on the day
“It’s about every lad being focused on the day and doing their job.
“Monaghan will come with a lot lads with a desire to do well, they’ll be coming up with all guns blazing to get another result, but we’ll be doing all in our power to swing it our way.”
And Devlin is happy to embrace the pressure that comes with the sudden death knockout system.
“It’s ‘old school’, that’s what we were used to, and it’s about who can be ready for the big day. I have had plenty of experience of that myself through the years.”
Ulster U20 FC quarter-final: Fermanagh v Armagh (Friday, Brewster Park, 8pm)
FERMANAGH will be hoping to replicate the win the Erne senior team enjoyed over Armagh in the Ulster Championship last weekend when they face the Orchard county in the Ulster U20 FC quarter-finals at Brewster Park tonight (8pm) – and they have five members of the extended senior panel to draw from in their pursuit of that aim.
Talented corner-forward Lorcan McStravick and the hard-working Conor McGee both saw gametime this year under Rory Gallagher, while Ultan Kelm is a highly-regarded half-back. Rangy midfielder Eoin Beacom, captain of the Fermanagh minors last year, has been training with the seniors this season and is a major influence around the middle, while goalkeeper Gary Doherty should provide a reliable last line of defence.
Fermanagh are managed by Shane Goan and Shane McDermott, both of whom were senior stars for the county in 2000s.
“You know what you are going to get with Armagh,” said Goan. “They will be physical and strong and we expect them to play direct and to be a good side overall. But we are looking forward to it.’’
Armagh are under the guidance of former senior boss Peter McDonnell, with Martin McQuillan providing assistance on the line. Both men have sons on the team, with Eoghan McDonnell a powerful presence either at midfield or in the full-forward line, and Ross McQuillan a tidy and intelligent operator.
Others to look out for in the Orchard line-up include wing half-back
Ryan Owens and Conor Turbitt in attack.
For Fermanagh and Goan preparations have been going well, with the team having almost four months of training under its belt.
“We got together 14 or 15 weeks ago and we couldn’t have asked for more from the boys in the panel.
“They are a really good bunch and have knuckled down and worked hard and done everything that we have asked them to.”
