ST PAUL’S MINOR TOURNAMENT

QUARTER-FINAL

Cargin v Enniskillen Gaels

Sunday, St Paul’s, 1pm

CARGIN joint-manager Brian McCann just missed out on playing in the St Paul’s Minor Tournament when he was younger, so like the current squad, he has that buzz of excitement as they prepare for their quarter-final clash with Enniskillen Gaels on Sunday.

The side’s surprise Antrim final win over St Brigid’s was their first county title at this level since 2000. McCann’s minor career ended in 1999 so, unsurprisingly, he is looking forward to finally getting to the Belfast tournament.

“We haven’t played in this tournament in 19 years, Cavan Gaels beat us in the semi-final that time,” said McCann, who manages the team with Paddy McCann. I just missed it by a year, it was the team after me, so I never got to play in it.

“We are really looking forward to the tournament, it’s something we always looked upon as being a very prestigious competition to be involved with.”

Goals from Benen Kelly and Padraig McLaughlin, as well as six points from influential midfielder Pat Shivers, gave the Erin’s Own men a surprise final win over St Brigid’s. It had followed victories over St Gall’s and Patrick Sarsfield’s and McCann said that they always had confidence in their troops.

“It was very much a surprise title not only for people within Antirm, but maybe within our own club too.

“We have the smallest wee panel, but when we saw the draw back in February myself and Paddy could see a map to the final.

“Once we got to the final we had faith that the boys could lift their game.

“It was a big shock that we beat St Brigid’s but we had our homework done.

“It was on the same day as the senior final (Cargin v Lamh Dhearg) so we had a big support behind us and that drove the guys on.”

That county title came at the start of October and McCann admitted that there has been challenges in keeping the squad sharp for their Enniskillen test.

“It’s the same for all the teams, we have lads playing in the MacLarnon Cup and the MacRory Cup. You have Antrim minors looking some boys.

“The hardest thing has just been managing the time. It’s about getting that balance.

“We had expected to be out at the start of December too but it has been cracking on another couple of weeks.

“It’s been getting two or three challenge games organised and trying to maintain the level we reached in Antrim and taking it into Ulster.

“Enniskillen is a name with pedigree and I remember seeing them beat Ballinascreen in the final a few years ago.

“I think there is one or two left from that and lads from that Hogan Cup team, so it’s a tough draw.”

n.mccoy@gaeliclife.com