Ulster finals beckon

Ulster finals beckon

12 November 2014

DRUMANESS and Warrenpoint are both just one hour away from reaching their respective provincial deciders.

Rock from Tyrone stand in the way of Drumaness in the Ulster Junior Football Championship while Warrenpoint will face a stern challenge in the form of Donegal’s Cloughaneely in the Ulster IHC.

The St Colman’s side negotiated their way past Antrim’s St Malachy’s in the quarter finals.

Manager Colum Flynn will be aware that his team didn’t play to their full potential in that win and he will be expecting a lot more from his charges come Sunday.

Philip Cassidy, Neil Stranney and Brian McIlmurray are expected to come back into the starting XV, having missed out on the last eight success.

Donal Kennedy was yet again the star man last day out and he will need to be at his very best once again if Drumaness are to make it to an historic final.

Rock will be Drumaness’s toughest test to date.

The Niall Conway-managed side slipped back in to junior at the end of 2013 but they have been immense in this grade all season so much so that they haven’t been beaten in league or championship.

They defeated Derry champions Moneymore in the quarters with a mesmerising performance from full forward Conor McCreesh stealing the headlines.

McCreesh hit 0-11 that day and this has brought his scoring exploits for the season to an incredible 8-145.

Also in Rock’s ranks is Tyrone’s triple All Ireland winner Ciaran Gourley who will line out at centre half back.

Rock are slick and direct and have three or four deadly forwards who are all pacy score getters.

Drumaness will enter this game high on confidence as they are just coming off one of the most successful years in their history.

However, their amazing run could come to an end on Sunday.

Rock are a step above anything Drumaness have faced this term and although Kennedy and company will fight to the death, they may not have enough in the tank to secure the victory.

Warrenpoint were superb in their dismantling of Dungannon a fortnight ago and they know they will have a great chance of extending Donegal’s Cloughaneely in their last four clash.

The Donegal side had a very busy weekend.

On Saturday afternoon they defeated Buncrana to win the Donegal IFC title and just 24 hours later they saw off Derry’s Castledawson after extra time in their Ulster quarter-final tie.

Cloughaneely will be riding on the crest of a wave, but they are up against a bullish Warrenpoint who are growing in stature with every game.

Ross McGarry is a special talent and his scoring spree in his team’s last eight win was a joy to watch.

McGarry’s contribution to the scoreboard will be vital on Sunday as will the efforts of John Boyle at centre half back and the powerful Ciaran McCartan at midfield.

Cloughaneely will provide a stern test and within their ranks they possess four players who have worn the yellow and green of Donegal in the past decade.

Lee McFadden and Joe Friel are their top exponents.

The ‘Point are well accustomed to this level of football and if they stick to their game plan it is likely that they will be progressing through to their second Ulster final at this grade.