ST EUNAN’S Under-16s head for Gardrum Park in Dromore this morning for a high noon showdown with Fermanagh champions Derrygonnelly Harps in a Spirit of Paul McGirr Ulster Club Championship Under-16 Quarter Final.
Six days after defeating Sean MacCumhaills 5-9 to 0-14 in the Donegal Under-16 final, Pauric Ryan’s team are on a provincial mission.
Picture caption: St Eunan’s celebrate their winning of the Donegal Under-16 Championship final on Sunday. Picture by Geraldine Diver.
On Sunday in Convoy, Pauric McGettigan’s hat-trick and goals from Michael Gallagher and Daragh Ellison proved crucial as they scored a big win over MacCumhaills.
Both Eunan’s and Derrygonnelly won League and Championship doubles in their counties.
[adrotate group=”56″]Eunan’s have a well balanced and settled team, Buncrana Cup representatives Eoin O’Boyle – goalkeeper and captain – and Peter McEniff are key components to the side, while Conor O’Donnell has been in scintillating form all season with Ellison and Shane O’Donnell also hugely dependable scoretakers.
Defenders such as James Kelly at full back and Sean Ryan is an admirable and sturdy centre half back who bring plenty of experience to the side.
St Eunan’s went down in the first game of the Ulster Under-16 competition to hosts Dromore.
[adrotate group=”46″]Derrygonnelly are under the watchful eye of Roger McGovern, Aidy Leonard and Anthony Greene and will come into Saturdays clash ready for a hardened battle.
It is five weeks since Derrygonnelly last had a game, the Division 1 League final win over Enniskillen Gaels in Belcoo, 3-3 to 1-16 seen the Harps complete a memorable double.
Just a week previous Derrygonnelly had picked up the first of their double success with a deserving 1-11 to 2-6 win over Enniskillen side that seen the win marred by on field fracas that left a bad taste on Fermanagh’s showpiece final day.
[adrotate group=”53″]In attack Derrygonnelly have really blossomed this season. Forwards such as Darragh Burke and Rian McGovern have had fine seasons while points from Gavin McGovern in the Fermanagh final win over Enniskillen were real highlights.
Full-forward Michael Glynn, a soccer star with Ballinamallard United, struck a goal in the Championship final and hit 0-6 in the League final. Glynn will be key for Derrygonnelly today.
[adrotate group=”76″]The benches may also play a vital part and St Eunan’s may well have an advantage here.
They have a greater strength in depth than a Derrygonnelly side that have made very few subs in the matches they’ve played so far.
St Eunan’s have more players in reserve who are capable of making a big impact, and the combination of fresh legs and experience coming off the bench in the second half could be a huge swing late on.
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