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First Paul McGirr Semi Final This Weekend
Thursday 07.11.2013
The first semi final of the Paul Mc Girr Ulster U16 tournament takes place in Gardrum Park Dromore this Saturday at 1:00pm with Glen Watty Grahams and Enniskillen battling it out for a place in the Ulster final. Enniskillen defeated Monaghan champions Castlerahan in a first round contest and will once again be looking to big showings from impressive wing back Michael Dooris and livewire forwards Conor Goodwin and Calum Frempong, but manager Tony Goodwin is well aware of the task facing them on Saturday.
“The win over Castlerahan was easily our hardest match this year yet.The first goal was a little lucky but settled us into the game and the keeper’s point blank save probably kept us in it. I think as the game developed and we adapted to the pace and physicality, we looked more composed on the ball. We have plenty to work on though, and I’d like to think we will make a better start. Undoubtedly we cannot afford to give a team like Glen a similar start, and it’s a huge challenge to our undefeated season. Glen have had a great few years at underage and continue to produce exciting talent. We have already surpassed the targets we set at the start of the year so we are relaxed and looking forward to the match. I’m hoping though that we show that we can compete and belong at this level.”
“The win over Castlerahan was easily our hardest match this year yet.The first goal was a little lucky but settled us into the game and the keeper’s point blank save probably kept us in it. I think as the game developed and we adapted to the pace and physicality, we looked more composed on the ball. We have plenty to work on though, and I’d like to think we will make a better start. Undoubtedly we cannot afford to give a team like Glen a similar start, and it’s a huge challenge to our undefeated season. Glen have had a great few years at underage and continue to produce exciting talent. We have already surpassed the targets we set at the start of the year so we are relaxed and looking forward to the match. I’m hoping though that we show that we can compete and belong at this level.”
But Glen are a seasoned team as this level and have perhaps been the stand-out team of the tournament so far when overcoming the challenge of Monaghan’s St. Patricks 3-14 to 1-07, and with the outstanding midfielder Conor Glass, Jack Doherty and Tiernan Flanagan onboard they will be entering the game as favourites. However lessons in the past will mean they will take nothing for granted according to team manager Stephen Murtagh. “We are delighted to be back taking part in the Paul Mc Girr tournament. It gives you a great way of measuring what level you are actually at. Having won it in 2010, we felt we let one slip by in 2011 so it’s great to be getting another shot at it. The boys have been playing well all year and their performances have been improving with each game, we were given a stern test by St. Patricks of Cavan in the first round and are under no illusions about what we will face with Enniskillen. They are a club that are on the rise again but we are determined to get back to the final”. It promises to be a high scoring affair with both teams having shown an eye for goals in their opening games but the experience the Glen men have of the tournament may just swing the outcome in their favour as they seek to reclaim the prestigious Paul McGirr Cuchuallin bronze trophy.
All proceeds from the games go the The Spirit of Paul McGirr Trust.
All proceeds from the games go the The Spirit of Paul McGirr Trust.
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