Paul McGirr U16 Club Champions Tournament: Saturday November 24 at 2pm: Lavey v Burren
Two heavyweights of Ulster football go head to head on Saturday in the second semi-final of the Paul McGirr U16 Club Champions Tournament.
Derry champions Lavey and Down kingpins Burren will face off to earn a spot in the final against last week’s semi-final winners, Carrickmore.
Both teams are laced with names synonymous with the heydays of Ulster football like Burren’s Murdocks, McKernan and Magill and Lavey’s Downeys, McGurks and McGills.
With both teams playing all out, attacking football there is no doubt that the scoreboard men in Gardrum Park will once again be kept on their toes.
Burren enter the contest having had a comprehensive quarter-final victory over a fancied St Gall's side and star of the show that day was unquestionably corner-forward Niall Toner,
He was firing scores from all angles, amassing a personal tally of 1-10, all but one of the scores coming from play.
Their philosophy of going man-for-man is based on a strong belief on their defenders man-marking ability.
With Tony Magee and James Kelly in particular in fine form they restricted St Gall's to a measly tally of 0-6. Odhran Murdock and Conlin Bradley form a steely midfield partnership and Zach Murdock at full-forward will provide a potent partnership with Toner that will give the Lavey defence plenty to think about.
U14 star Eoin Loughran made an impressive impact when introduced against St Gall's and he will be pushing hard for a starting slot this time out.
Burren manager Aidan Woods feels though that his side have a huge task ahead of them.
''We're looking forward to playing the favourites for the competition this Saturday,'' he said.
''Lavey are probably a year ahead of us in their development as we have a very young panel.
''They are a team full of big names and so we know this will be the toughest game we've had this year.
''We'll need to produce a massive performance to get anywhere close to them.
''But our boys love a challenge, so we'll give it our best shot and see where it takes us.''
Having come through a very tough Derry campaign, Lavey were faced with the challenge of Armagh champions Madden in the quarter-final.
A dominant display led them to a 3-19 to 2-06 victory, although that came at a cost when they lost centre-back Jamie Duggen to a straight red card.
Duggan’s loss could be vital as he is likely the man that would have been tasked with nullifying the threat of Toner.
Enda Downey is a player who has been earning many plaudits in college football with St Patrick's, Maghera.
A superb footballer with power, pace and vision, Burren will certainly have their work cut out trying to curb his influence.
The tireless James McGurk and Rory McGill form a strong engine room with Downey while in attack Lavey are blessed with the talents of Matthew Downey and Jack Scullion among others.
Lavey manager Johnny McGurk is no stranger to the big occasion.
''Having lost in the first round last year, we were delighted to get through against the Armagh champions in our first round game,'' he said.
''Burren will be a completely different test and we are looking forward to renewing rivalries with one of the greatest clubs in Ulster football.''
''The Down champions Kilcoo won last year’s competition and having defeated Kilcoo comprehensively in the Down final Burren will be confident of progressing, but we will be extremely competitive.
''Carrickmore, Burren and Lavey in the last three has a nice ring to it and we are determined to get to the final which would be a great occasion for our club,''
The experience of playing in the tournament last year could prove vital for Lavey but Burren are no strangers to the competition.
This side will be looking to emulate their team of 2014 who won the tournament outright.
This is a game that will really appeal to the neutral supporter with a high-quality contest guaranteed.
No doubt there will be a large crowd in attendance in Gardrum Park to witness what promises to be an intriguing contest that is almost impossible to predict.
Throw in is at 2pm and all proceeds from the tournament go to the Spirit of Paul McGirr Foundation to aid with the tremendous work the foundation does for less fortunate children in Lusaka, Zambia.
