MFC Sports Paul McGirr Ulster Club U16 Championships semi-final
Dromintee (Armagh) 2-14 Denn (Cavan) 0-9
REIGNING champions Dromintee remain on course for back-to-back titles in the Paul McGirr Ulster U16 Club Championship.
They came out on top in an absorbing encounter with a gallant Denn side on a frosty Monday evening in Gardrum Park, Dromore.
The Armagh champions survived a stirring comeback before pushing on in the final quarter to secure their place in this weekend’s final against Magherafelt.
Despite the freezing conditions, the sides produced a very entertaining encounter that kept the large travelling support on their edge of their seats and it was Dromintee’s greater spread of scorers which proved the difference.
Denn were very dependent on the highly talented Nathan Quigley, who despite being very well marshalled by the tenacious Tomas Fox, accounted for all but two of his side’s scores.
Quigley opened the scoring with a free as both sides took time to adjust to the surface, but Dromintee went on a scoring spree over the next 15 minutes as Scott Harris and Jarlath O’Neill edged the midfield battle and Gavin O’Rourke proved an ideal target man despite being double-marked.
O’Neill and Oisin Byrne notched their first two points, which were followed by a trio of points from the mesmerizing Ronan Martin, who had a superb outing, including a cracker from 40 yards.
Oisin Byrne went on a driving run down the wing and cut inside to put his side five clear before the first goal of the game arrived courtesy of the MFC Sports man-of-the-match Gavin O’Rourke, an empathic finish to the top corner after capitalising on a defensive slip.
Further scores from Oisin McCrink and Martin gave the Orchard boys a cushion, although at this stage Denn were starting to find their feet, with Conor McCabe, Finian Smith and Mark Reilly leading their charge. Three points from the prolific Quigley and a fine effort from Senan Smith gave the Breffni boys hope as the break approached.
Trailing 1-9 to 0-5 at half-time, Denn needed a good start to the second half and, to their credit, they pushed extremely hard. Two frees from Quigley reduced the deficit, but, sensing the danger, the Dromintee management switched O’Rourke to midfield and this move had the desired affect with O’Rourke, Harris and Aodhan O’Neill ensuring they regained control of proceedings.
The hard-working McCrink got his second score of the evening with Senan Smith replying with a free after McCabe was upended as he careered through the Dromintee defence.
Dromintee showed all their experience, dominating possession and patiently probing until they found gaps in the Denn rearguard.
Jarlath O’Neill hit a brace of points as conditions worsened before Dromintee put the game beyond all doubt when substitute Ben McCoy found the net having been put through by the industrious Harris.
Denn keeper Marc Libanza prevented a further major, producing an excellent save to deny O’Neill, before Oisin Byrne, with two points, and a much deserved score from Harris ended the scoring.
“We are really happy to come out on top after a stern test from a really good Denn side.” said a delighted Dromintee joint-manager Shane McCoy, whose thoughts turned immediately to Sunday’s final.
“We were aware of their qualities and they had a great result in their quarter-final against Carrickmore.
‘‘When we got over the line against Burren, it was about getting recovery into the lads because they have a heavy schedule with other football commitments and again now going into the final we need to manage the lads over the next six days.
‘‘I felt we got the scores on the board this evening at crucial times. We started well and got a bit of a lead and then kept on chipping away at points from there on.
‘‘The lads showed good composure to keep the scoreboard ticking over and we defended well.
‘‘Focus is now on Magherafelt and the threat that they will pose to us. I’m delighted for our club to be competing in another provincial final after last year’s victory. The hard work can’t stop and the lads will be looking forward to Sunday.”
The watching Magherafelt management will no doubt have been impressed with the workrate and composure shown by a strong Dromintee side and both sides will be hoping for a clean bill of health with players involved in key school games during the week.
For Denn, they can be proud of their efforts. It was uncharted territory for the Cavan side but they showed they have the quality to compete at this level and have plenty to build on for the future.
Dromintee Patrick Rice, T Fox, D Bolger, R Kelly, A O’Neill, E Mullen, R Martin (0-4), S Harris (0-1), G O’Rourke (1-0), O McCrink (0-2), J Casey (0-1), O Byrne (0-4), Peter Rice, J O’Neill (0-2, 1f), O Rice
Subs B McCoy (1-0) for O Rice, J Mooney for O’Neill, L Winters for E Mullen
Denn M Libanza, C Ashfield, D Galligan, Oran Smith, C McCabe, R Brady, A McManus, F Smith, R Tierney, M Reilly, S Smith (0-2, 1f), Oisin Smith, O Baker, N Quigley (0-7, 0-5 frees), A Farrelly
Subs R Tobin for Farrelly
Referee Paul Gallagher (Tyrone)
