A heavyweight clash between two clubs who are dominating not only their counties but also the Ulster underage scene at present takes place this Saturday evening as Magherafelt O’Donovan Rossa and Four Masters go head to head in the Paul McGirr Ulster U16 Club Championship to fight it out for a place in this year’s Ulster Final. The semi-final take place under the lights of Gardrum Park at 5pm on Saturday and what a contest it promises to be, the pairing is a repeat of the 2023 Ulster club U18 final with Magherafelt hoping to gain revenge after being pipped for that title.
For Four Masters a win on Saturday would go a long way to securing history as being the only team to hold both the Ulster U18 and U16 titles at the same time. They will be well prepared for this encounter having come through what was probably the toughest of the quarter finals defeating Antrim champions Portglenone Roger Casement’s 2-11 to 1-07 in a pulsating and passion filled game.
The Donegal champions will be spearheaded by star midfielder Tomas Carr, a super composed player who can dictate games with his pace and skill. The Four Masters rearguard stood strong under great pressure in the quarter final, with Ethan McCrea, Jack McGroarty and Odhran McMullin being to the fore. Target man Gethin Mosby is an imposing foil for the Donegal town based team up front while Daire Slevin and the silky Thomas Lenehan are two men that the Derry champions will have to keep tabs on if they are to progress.
In a busy few weeks for his club Four Masters Emmett Gallagher who takes charge of the side along with Caolan Loughney is well aware of the tough task his side faces: “We are delighted to have made the last four in Ulster at the Paul McGirr tournament.” said Gallagher.
“The experience of preparing yourself and competing at this level will be invaluable to these boys as they progress through their underage careers. We know we face a strong challenge from Magherafelt on Saturday but that’s to be expected from any club in the last four and we’re really looking forward to the game.
“With our U21’s in County Final action on Sunday and our minors starting their Ulster Minor defence next week there’s a real buzz about the club at the minute so hopefully we can keep that feeling around for another few weeks at U16 level.”
Magherafelt came into this tournament marked out as the early favourites and certainly their performance in the quarter-final against Monaghan champions Donaghmoyne did not dispel those thoughts producing a power packed display of pace, power, disciplined tackling and ruthlessness up front on their way to a 2-19 to 0-3 victory.
Despite their high tally, it was the defensive end of the game where the O’Donovan Rossa lads were most impressive, however they will be well aware that Four Masters will provide a much sterner test and the battle between West Ham United starlet Colm Leacock at centre back and Four Masters’ Lenehan looks to be one worth the admission fee alone.
Lenehan certainly has the skills to cause trouble but he will have to work at both ends of the field as Leacock is the man that Magherafelt look to dictate proceedings. Tobias Beattie, Tiernan McGlone and Ronan Lennox form an integral part of an impressive back line who hope to stifle a confident Four Masters attack. The midfield partnership of the towering Michael Higgins and Ronan Conway will be hoping to limit the effect Carr has on the game but both men are no strangers to the scoreboard either.
Tony O’Hagan and Emmett Spiers lead a forward line that have been racking up high tallies in every game so far this season but the man that Four Masters will most have their eye on will be full forward and captain Kian Maynes, scorer of 0-8 in the quarter final. Maynes’s movement and ball winning skills will be a huge test for Ethan McCrea who certainly seems to have the capabilities to nullify the threat.
Magherafelt manager Kevin Purvis who guided the oak leaf boys to All Ireland Feile success last year is very confident in his sides ability but well aware of the task facing them on Saturday.
“We are really looking forward to Saturday evenings game with Four Masters. They impressed in their quarter final win over Portglenone. They look very well organised, carry a real scoring threat and in Tomas Carr they have a real gem of a player in the middle of the park. We expect a real tough test on Saturday, I think we are in a good place at the minute ourselves but we are well aware we will have to be at our very best if we want to make it into final.”
Will the impressive form of Magherafelt continue and guide them into the Ulster final or will the tough quarter final stand Four Masters in good stead as they seek to create history? A blockbuster tie lies in store and played under the lights there will be a great atmosphere on Saturday evening. It is felt Magherafelt’s overall strength should perhaps see them over the line but anything less than a perfect performance from them and an upset could be on the cards.
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