St Paul’s Ulster Minor Tournament final
Four Masters v O’Donovan Rossa Magherafelt
(1pm, New Year’s Day, St Paul’s)
Never had a club side from Magherafelt claimed an Ulster title before the crop of 2024 claimed the U16 Paul McGirr Cup.
There aren’t too many people on this globe who could tick off their New Year’s resolution on 2025′s first day, but for manager Ciaran Higgins, an Ulster minor title would have to come fairly close.
Training is a happy place to be right now, and though his son Caolán is a doubt for the St Paul’s decider, Magherafelt are buoyant if not quite on cloud nine, for there’s one piece left of the jigsaw:
“A few weeks ago, we had never won an Ulster title. The Paul McGirr win was brilliant, and the lads were thoroughly deserving winners.
“There’s been a real bounce around the camp the past while. We’ll have six or seven of those U16′s starting the final.
“They’ve really grown but they’ve been a brilliant addition all year. For us as a team it bodes really well.”
The O’Donovan Rossa minor crop have grown too. Having been edged out by Four Masters in the preliminary round of last year’s tournament, it would have been a tough watch to see the Tír Chonaill men go on to lift the cup.
But perhaps there is an omen too that the Donegal champions were themselves rocked by a late goal in the 2023 final, turned over by Dungiven of Derry.
With two intercounty minor All-Irelands heading to the Foyle in the aftermath of that Dungiven success, Higgins was proud of his side before they even made their way to Belfast:
“I think there’s a bigger spread of quality teams in Derry, more so than there has been for a while. It used to be the case that one or two sides would battle for the U16 and minor titles, now four or five could win it.
“To try and retain the county title was a massive challenge given the quality of teams out there.
“There’s huge work going on at underage level in Derry, which has come through to the county set-up. That’s a reflection of the hard work of the last 10 years or so.”
So, with one hard-earned medal in the bag, surely an Ulster title was given more than a passing thought?
“It was always in the back of the mind. At the start of the year our focus was to win Derry, then see what we could do from there in Ulster.
“We did have a look at the draw. At a glance we could see there was a chance we could meet Four Masters if we made it to the final.
“The lads have worked really hard over the last few weeks, training early mornings.
“Up to that it had been disjointed with schools football and the U16′s in the Paul McGirr, so we’ve had a bit more control and time together the past few weeks.
“Obviously, there was a bit of socialising in there too with the time of year. The lads went out and had a good night after the last win ( v Clann Eireann) but we know the challenge that awaits us.”
“Any team that’s been in three finals in a row are going to be very strong. It’s the same group of players that won last year, they’re reigning champions and have a very strong group of players.
“They’re very strong up the middle.
“But if any team can compete with them, we feel that it’s ourselves.”