BY MATTHEW WILSON
A big Inishowen derby will take place at The Scarvey this Saturday evening as Burt and Naomh Pádraig Uisce Chaoin face off for a place in the Intermediate Football Championship Final.
Naomh Pádraig Uisce Chaoin secured their spot in the last four courtesy of a victory over St Naul’s where extra-time was required to determine a winner.
Meanwhile, Burt booked their spot in the semi-finals following a superb win over Naomh Muire just shy of a fortnight ago in Convoy.
It was a brilliant win for the Hibernian Park residents and one which Liam Og McKinney stated they gave their all in.
“After being stuck in the relegation mix the last few years, we knew that if we got a chance of a quarter-final then we’d give it everything.
“I felt that we did give it everything. Even at half-time, we went in with a five-point lead with a slight breeze but we gave everything in that first half.
“They got back to level terms in the second half but I think we managed to get a kick in the legs then and we pushed on until the end.”
Having entered the encounter following a second-place finish in the group standings, Naomh Muire may have carried the favourites tag, but that didn’t affect Burt.
Marty Coyle’s charges had already got the better of Danny O’Donnell’s side earlier in the competition, securing a one-point victory in their own backyard.
McKinney knew the meeting was always likely to be a closely fought contest, but Burt entered the game with confidence following their earlier victory over Naomh Muire.
“We knew that we beat them (Naomh Muire) in the group phase but they’d a few lads back in. We had something over them.
“Even when we played them in previous years, It was always a tight game. We knew that it was going to be close and it turned out that way until the end.
“I think we just had a bit more intent which was good enough to get us over the line.”
The victory over Naomh Muire has earned the Hibernian Park residents a place in the semi-finals, where they will meet Naomh Pádraig Uisce Chaoin this Saturday.
Peter Murphy has enjoyed an impressive first term in charge of the 2024 Junior champions, making this weekend’s clash an intriguing encounter.
The fixture forms one half of an all-Inishowen semi-final lineup in the Intermediate Football Championship, highlighting the strength and depth of the game in the peninsula.
Speaking to the Donegal News, McKinney stated that the sides remaining in the championship adds an extra level of interest to the competition.
“It’s great to get into a semi-final and it’s all Inishowen teams left in the championship so it’ll be interesting.
“We all know each other fairly well anyway from playing underage against one another through the years so we’re looking forward to it now.”