This Saturday, the 16th of August, sees the young u-16 footballers of Monaghan make the long journey to Buncrana Co. Donegal to participate in their Ulster Finals. They face Derry at 12pm in Burt and if they are successful they will play the winners of the other semi-final between Armagh and Donegal. Indeed, maybe it is a coincidence but you saw Monaghan, Donegal and Armagh play last weekend in the All-Ireland quarter-final and the same three counties were in the Ulster Minor Semi-finals as well!
This Saturday will see the culmination of three years hard work come to fruition. Back in 2012, this group of players first come together and they have served their county proudly since. The management team of Garrett Coyle, Martin Corey, Seamus Mullholland and Conor McElvaney are delighted with how this group have developed and progressed over the last couple of years. They have been a committed and dedicated bunch of players. They have travelled to Cloghan regularly for games/training and strength & conditioning sessions. We are looking forward to seeing how they can test themselves against their peers from other counties at this important stage of their development as they now get ready to progress onto County Minors. They have represented their clubs, schools, families and themselves with a lot of distinction over the last couple of years and we will be expecting more of the same on Saturday.
Monaghan qualified for this stage of the competition by beating Fermanagh and Tyrone in a qualifier group and then to sharpen up their preparations they participated in the Gerry Reilly Tournament, hosted by Meath which saw them have very competitive games against the host county, Cavan and Wicklow.
The full panel of players travelling on Saturday is as follows; Aaron Courtney (Donaghmoyne), Aaron McNally (Sean McDermotts), Calvin Carisle (Eire Og), Cian Hand (Ballybay), Colm Lennon (Ballybay), Conor Leonard (Eire Og), David Garland (Donaghmoyne), Dean Brennan (Clontibret), Dean McDonnell (Clontibret), Fergal Hanratty (Corduff), Frank Connolly (Toome), Gary McCaffrey (Truagh Gaels), Jack Deery (Monaghan Harps), Jack Kirk (Magheracloone), James McKenna (Truagh Gaels), James Wilson (Toome), Kieran Burns (Kileevan), Micheal Bannigan (Aughnamullan), Michael McAlister (Emyvale), Michael Savage (Clontibret), Oisin Campbell (Emyvale), Owen Quinn (Drumhowan), Padraig Finnan (Tyholland), Padraig McMahon (Magheracloone), Remy McKenna (Monaghan Harps), Ross Lowey (Clontibret), Ryan O’ Connor (Carrickmacross), Sean Grant (Sean McDermotts), Shane McMahon (Monaghan Harps) and Shane Monaghan (Ballybay).
