Football

Newtownbutler and Clan Na Gael lock horns in Paul McGirr Tournament opener

Paul McGirr Ulster U16 Club Champions Tournament: Newtownbutler (Fermanagh) v Clan Na Gael (Armagh)

This season’s Paul McGirr Ulster U16 Club Champions Tournament kicks off tomorrow and first up is an intriguing contest between Fermanagh champions Newtownbutler and Armagh’s Clan Na Gael at 12 noon in Gardrum Park.

Returning to the tournament after a strong showing last year Newtownbutler will have most of their 2018 team still involved and they will be hoping that their experience pays off.

The impressive Diarmuid King and Jamie McCaffrey lead a resolute defence who conceded very little in their Fermanagh campaign, midfield partnership of Caolan Swift and the towering Sean Conlon will look to give them a strong foothold but it is up front where they could hold the key.

The impish Ger O’Keefe will prove a handful for the Lurgan lads and Joseph Clancy who will certainly take a bit of watching also.

Under a management team led by Finbarr O’Keefe the First Fermanagh’s play an attacking brand of football and have been racking up high scores so far this season, it’s a challenge they will relish according to O’Keefe. ''Newtownbutler First Fermanagh’s are delighted to compete at this level, with our U16s up against the finest in each county in Ulster,'' he said.

''Clan Na Gael have a rich history and are one of the most successful clubs in Armagh. It’s championship football but with a greater degree of the unknown.

''Saturday’s game is an exciting opener for us and we look forward to it.''

Clan Na Gael emerged from a very tough Armagh championship and having defeated teams of the calibre of Clann Eireann, Armagh Harps and Crossmaglen along the way they will be certainly coming into the Ulster campaign a battle hardened side.

They followed up the 2-15 to 2-12 defeat of Crossmaglen in the Armagh final at the start of September by annexing the Armagh league title defeating Madden to complete their dominance of a strong Armagh competition.

The Lurgan club of course have a strong history in Ulster competition but as their manager Laurence McGuinness says it been too long since they last appeared on the scene: ''It's an honour for our club to be participating in such an esteemed competition as the Paul McGirr Tournament. It's been a long time since we have competed in an Ulster championship at any level.

''The lads are looking forward to the game and have been training hard for it.

''They will go out and give everything they have as always and we will see where it takes us.''

Oran O’Kane is the man Newtownbutler will have to keep an eye on with his scoring prowess being a major contributor to Clan Na Gael’s success with Matthew King, Niall Magennis and Matthew Lennon among others seeking to push the Armagh champions onto the semi-final.

At underage level experience counts for an awful lot and with the majority of the Newtownbutler squad playing their third game in the competition they will certainly feel confident but Armagh champions are never easily beat at this level so it is a game that is very hard to call.

All proceeds from the tournament go to the Spirit of Paul McGirr Trust for their work with poor and less able bodied children in Lusaka, Zambia.

Paul McGirr Ulster U16 Club Champions Tournament: O’Donovan Rossa (Antrim) v Carrickmacross Emmett’s (Monaghan)

The second quarter-final of the Paul McGirr Ulster U16 Club Champions Tournament takes place in Gardrum Park tomorriow (Saturday) at 2.15 when Antrim champions O’Donovan Rossa face the challenge of Monaghan Champions Carrickmacross.

Rossa have a strong pedigree in this competition having won it in 2011 and reached the final in their last visit in 2015.

With a team full of pace and no lack of finesse Bill Kelly and his management are well aware of what it takes to win at this level.

Their Antrim campaign was a high scoring one throughout and their eye for goal is one thing the Carrickmacross defence will certainly be aware of.

Barry McBurney Hegarty and James Boyle lead a strong defence but it’s their towering midfield maestro Michael McDade and partner Ruaidhri Murray that could hold the key to victory for the west Belfast lads, McDade’s aerial prowess and 1-3 tally in the Antrim final defeat of Moneyglass was one that caught the eye of many Antrim gaels.

Captain Barra McCaffrey and Liam Carr are part of a very potent full forward line that has served Rossa well throughout the year.

Manager Kelly is certainly looking forward to the challenge

''The lads are really excited about the game. It gives them an opportunity to play against the best teams in Ulster at this age.'' he said.

''We are going into the unknown a bit and that’s a great experience for any young footballer.

''Hopefully by the final whistle Saturday we will all be able to say we have done our club and county proud.''

Carrickmacross are coming into the tournament by virtue of their Monaghan U15 championship success as Monaghan have changed to the grades that look set to be standard across the country with the proposed new remit coming from Croke Park.

They have however a few more lads to into this team which will certainly provide a stern test for the Rossa men. Jack and Fionan Carolan are the lynchpins of the Monaghan champions defence.

Daragh Mee and team captain Cian Conlon form a hard working midfield partnership and will be looking to provide a platform for a spritely forward line.

Dualta Honney in full forward is the mainstay of the Emmett’s attack and his 1-06 tally in the Monaghan final against Magheracloone was just reward for a fine performance as he led his team to the title.

Manager Leo Carolan has previous experience of the tournament and is certainly relishing a return: ''We are really looking forward to testing ourselves against the cream of Ulster U16 Footballers, particularly in such a prestigious tournament as the Paul McGirr Champions Cup.

''Although we’re a young team as U15 Monaghan winners we are not short on ability and I hope we can do justice to ourselves and our County against a very strong Rossa team''.

Rossa will head into the game as slight favourites but they will certainly not be underestimating the Carrickmacross challenge.

A lot will come down to the midfield battle and this could well tip it in the West Belfast men’s favour.