Monaghan Face Derry In Paul Mc Girr Tournament

Friday 31.10.2014

Club

This Saturday at 6:00pm Dungiven St. Canice’s and Monaghan Harps battle it out to become the second team into the semi finals of the 2014 Paul McGirr Ulster U16 Club Champions Tournament.  Dungiven are marked by many as tournament favourites given their unbelievable form in Derry this season, winning a league and championship double. Indeed their comprehensive  win in the Derry final over Kilrea by a 17 point was their lowest winning margin throughout the Derry championship. Featuring several members of the St. Pats Maghera Mac Rory Cup panel, they are a formidable side with physical presence but also a prolific forward line that averaged over 34 points per game in the Derry Championship.

However, they will be coming up against a Monaghan Harps team who have had a great season in Monaghan culminating in their 2 point victory over Truagh in the championship final replay.  According to team manager Michael O’Donoghue the Harps have had a great season so far and don’t intend it to end this Saturday “Monaghan Harps U16’s are delighted to be taking part in this year’s Paul Mc Girr Memorial Tournament. This year has seen our U16s complete the double, winning both the League and Championship titles. It had been 10 years since our U16s last achieved this double and 7 years since we won the Championship. This year has been a great achievement for this young squad of players with thirteen of this panel who also won an U14 double last season still eligible to play U16 Football next season. The lads are looking forward to competing against the best there is in Ulster and are grateful for this opportunity being given to them. We would like to thank Dromore GFC for this invitation and wish them every success with this wonderful tournament both this year and in many years to come”.  Backboned in defence by Cathal Power and Jamie Shields, and with midfield partnership of Jack Deery and Remy McKenna providing a strong platform, they will be looking to the accurate Shane McMahon, Dillon Duffy and Nathan O’Donoghue to get the scores needed to progress.  An enthralling game is in store with a battle of contrasting styles and although Dungiven may be tipped as slight favourites, they will have their hands full in dealing with the Monaghan threat.  The game takes place in Gardrum Park Dromore and all proceeds go the ‘The Spirit of Paul McGirr Trust’ to aid their wonderful work for those in poverty in Lusaka, Zambia.