Four Masters Under 16s to face Bellaghy in Paul McGirr

The 2025 Paul McGirr Ulster U16 Club Championship kicks off this weekend with an action packed schedule of top class gaelic football in store.

The draw that took place last Friday night threw up some intriguing ties, none more so than the heavyweight preliminary round clash between Derry champions Bellaghy and a promising Four Masters side from Donegal, which takes place in Gardrum Park, Dromore this Saturday at 12 midday.

Four Masters have continued their dominance of underage football in Donegal in 2025, having clinched the U16 championship to add to their U18 title. They defeated a strong Glenswilly side 1-11 to 1-09 in early September, a victory which sees them returning to the Paul McGirr Ulster Club for the second season in a row.

The experience of the 2024 campaign, where they lost out to eventual winners Magherafelt in the semi-final, should stand to the Donegal champions, who won’t be overawed by the occasion on Saturday.

Fintan James, Eoghan Tomas, Daire Slevin, Finn Gillespie and Thomas McHugh are all survivors of last year’s campaign, with full-forward Gillespie particularly impressive during their county championship run. The athletic Conor Griffin at midfield is another who looks set to cause problems for Bellaghy.

Manager Conal Gallagher is well aware of the challenge ahead: “We are really looking forward to the tournament, there was a great buzz of excitement at the launch on Friday night. Having been involved last year, it was very enjoyable to meet new teams and management from other counties in Ulster.

“It’s a great honour for the players to represent Donegal on the Ulster stage, and hopefully we can be competitive at this level.

“What a great opportunity it is for the players to test themselves at the highest level for their age group in Ulster, and for us as a management team to assess where we are against the very best in the province.

“The match this week is real test for us, traditionally over the last few years the Derry champions have been very strong, as was evident with last year’s tournament winners Magherafelt.

“We were at Feile last year and would have watched Lavey play, they were a quality side and the fact that they didn’t win the Derry championship speaks volumes about the strength of football in the County.”

Bellaghy have been fighting against the grain all year at U16 level, they were by no means favourites to win the Derry title, but following a string of impressive victories culminating in a convincing 1-11 to 0-6 against Ballinderry in the Derry county final, they now progress to represent Derry and look to retain the trophy for the oak leaf county, following in the footsteps of the 2024 Paul McGirr champions Magherafelt.

Bellaghy manager Kevin Doherty is keen to progress in the competition, and his charges look well placed for a long run in the tournament: “We’re delighted to be playing in the Paul McGirr Ulster U16 Championship which has established itself as a marquee competition known across the province – widely renowned for the quality of football on show and how well its run by Dromore GFC” said Doherty. “

“It’s great to have the opportunity to test ourselves against high quality opposition across Ulster, and for our players to have the opportunity to represent their club at a provincial level. We’re looking forward to a big challenge against Four Masters, whose record speaks for itself at provincial underage level.”

Touted as two of the competition favourites, this promises to be an pulsating encounter. Last year’s experience will mean Four Masters are no strangers to the environs of Gardrum Park, but Bellaghy came through a very strong Derry championship, somewhat against the odds, and that extra bit of hunger to keep the Paul McGirr title in Derry may just see them scrape through.

A great battle is in store to get this season’s competition underway, with a place in the quarter-finals against Monaghan champions Magheracloone on Sunday week the prize in store for the winners. All supporters are reminded that all gate proceeds from the tournament go directly to the Spirit of Paul McGirr Trust, supporting the wonderful work they do for the underprivileged in Lusaka, Zambia.