AS ST EUNAN’S PREPARE TO TAKE on Crossmaglen Rangers in the final of the Ulster Club Minor Football Tournament on Friday at St Paul’s in Belfast, here’s a look back at their last appearance in this final.
It’ll 22 years to the day since the Letterkenny team last contested the final of the competition.
On New Years Day 1994, St Eunan’s – then managed by Brendan Roche – lost 1-11 to 1-6 against The Loup from Derry.
St Eunan’s (pictured above, courtesy of John Haran) went into that final without the suspended trio of Johnny Scanlon, Kevin Winston and Karl Doherty and they were 1-3 to 0-0 in arreas after just ten minutes.
Four minutes in, Johnny McVeigh, after being released by Fintan Martin, drilled past Brian McBrearty, the St Eunan’s goalkeeper.
Ronan Dillon and Eamon Haran got Eunan’s off the mark, but they were 1-7 to 0-2 behind at the break.
Half-time substitute Shane O’Donnell ignited St Eunan’s with a majestic score from the end-line and St Eunan’s were roused further when Eamon Haran surged through a smashed a brilliant shot into the net from 25 metres, via the underside of the crossbar.
Eugene Duffy, John O’Carroll and Haran kept Eunan’s in touch but The Lop, with Ronan Rocks, Gary Coleman and Johnny McBride outstanding, pressed on for the win.
The St Eunan’s team in the final was: Brian McBrearty; Brian McDermott, Brian McMonagle, Seamus Nallen; Martin Temple, Sean McEwan, Eugene Duffy (0-1); John Haran, Eamon Haran (1-2); John O’Carroll (0-1), Ronan Dillon (0-1), Brendan Devenney; Sammy Bogan, Philip Rainey, Damien Daly. Subs: Shane O’Donnell (0-1) for Rainey (half-time), Pauric Fingleton for Temple (37), Joe Bradley for Fingleton (56).
SEE HERE FOR A PREVIEW OF ST EUNAN’S V CROSSMAGLEN RANGERS
