THE Launch and Draw for the 2023 fonaCAB Ulster Minor Football Tournament, supported by Belfast City Council took place earlier this week at Belfast City Hall.
Hosted by Ryan Murphy, Mayor of Belfast , he was joined by fonaCAB's Stephen Anton, St Paul's GAC Chairperson Caroline McLaughlin and representatives from all Minor Championship winning captains from around Ulster.
This year is the 40th run of the prestigious tournament widely regarded as the Ulster Club Championship at minor level.
And there are some close links with previous years with last year's finalists, Four Masters (Donegal) returning and looking to go one step further.
The return of 1990s regulars, Cavan Gaels, who won the competition in 1999 while the return of the hosts to the tournament after a 30-year absence will be good news for Antrim Gaels.
St Paul's last played in 1993 and are also past winners in 1982 and 1986. St Paul's manager Damian Duffy acknowledged the 'buzz about the club in recent weeks' since defeating Aghagallon in early October.
The 2023 draw:
Preliminary
CLG Naomh Pól v Tyrone GAA Winners
Quarter Final One:
Four Masters GAA & LGFA Club v O'Donovan Rossa GAC Magherafelt
Quarter Final 2
Clan na Gael CLG v Castleblayney Faughs GAC
Quarter Final 3
Irvinestown GAA v Cavan Gaels
Quarter Final 4
Mayobridge GAC v Preliminary Winners
The dates, times and venues will be issued in due course following consultation with our stakeholders. Tyrone is yet to finish their championship and it is hoped this will be completed by the end of November. The Tyrone champions have been paired with the hosts, St Paul's GAC in the preliminary fixture.
