Football

Johnnies expecting a real test from St Patrick's, Cullyhanna

<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; ">Man of the match Matthew Fitzpatrick fires in a shot at goal during St John's win over Cavan champions Ramor Utd in the quarter-final of the Paddy McLarnon U21 tournament at Creggan <br />Picture by John McIlwaine</span>
Man of the match Matthew Fitzpatrick fires in a shot at goal during St John's win over Cavan champions Ramor Utd in the quarter-final of the Paddy McLarnon U21 tournament at Creggan
Picture by John McIl
Man of the match Matthew Fitzpatrick fires in a shot at goal during St John's win over Cavan champions Ramor Utd in the quarter-final of the Paddy McLarnon U21 tournament at Creggan
Picture by John McIlwaine

REACHING the final of the Creggan Kickham’s-hosted Ulster U21 Club Football Champions tournament for the first time is the prize on offer for St John’s and St Patrick’s, Cullyhanna in Saturday’s semi-final.

Both clubs have been involved in the prestigious competition in recent years but have yet to appear in the showpiece, so Saturday’s game should have an added bite with the winner going on to face the victor from Sunday’s second semi-final clash between defending champions Watty Graham’s and Monaghan’s Magheracloone.

This is the third year in-a-row Cullyhanna have appeared in the competition and the Armagh champions will hope they can make the leap from county to provincial honours this time around. They boast a solid midfield pairing of Phelim Savage and Shane Conlon, who paved the way to their eight-point win over Donaghmore in the quarter-final.

Their cause was helped that day when Phelim McArdle found the net in the opening seconds and, although they struggled in the atrocious conditions for a brief period, the side jointly-managed by Malachy Mackin and Stephen Reel controlled the majority of the game. The full-forward line of Aidan Nugent, Jason Duffy and man of the match Aodhan Conlon kicked 0-9 of their tally of 2-10 and will certainly test the full-back line of St John’s.

That Cullyhanna victory took place immediately after St John’s last-eight win over Ramor United, so the Johnnies got a glimpse of Saturday’s opponents. While the conditions that day meant it was difficult to gauge fully what Cullyhanna can bring to the table, Johnnies manager Locky McCurdy saw enough to suggest the west Belfast men will face a stern test.

“You could take something from their last game as regards to their structures, even though it it was a terrible day,” he said.

“But this time of the year, given the conditions, I think it comes down to work-rate and that will be the case in this game. We know we will need to work hard.”

In the quarter-final win over Ramor, Matthew Fitzpatrick starred, hitting 1-1, setting up a number of scores and providing a focal point for the attack. Fitzpatrick is expected to fulfil a similar role on Saturday, with his ball-winning ability central to the Whiterock Road men’s hopes.

However, the Antrim champions will be without CJ McKenna, who is on holiday, and brothers Ciaran and Conor Johnston, who are on county duty with Antrim’s hurlers.

That said, McCurdy will welcome several players back: “From the last day, we have a few back like Fergal Morgan, who was on holiday, Jude McCurdy and Michael Bradley,” he said.

St John’s lost out to the eventual winners from Maghera at the same stage last season, but they will be hoping to go one further, with this talented group of players looking to add the Paddy McLarnon Cup to their impressive list of achievements in both hurling and football. However, Cullyhanna also have vast experience, so this game is likely to come down to fine margins, with whoever adapts best to the conditions and occasion to prevail.

“We picked up some experience from last year, but I’m sure Cullyhanna have too,” said McCurdy.

“We have had a look at Cullyhanna and I don’t think there is an awful lot between the teams and that will be the case on the day.”