Dromintee (Armagh) 2-14 v Denn (Cavan) 0-09

Reigning champions Dromintee remain on course for back to back titles in the Paul McGirr Ulster U16 Club Championship when they came out on top of an absorbing encounter with a gallant Denn side on a frosty evening in Gardrum Park Dromore. The Armagh champions survived a stirring comeback from Denn and pushed on in the final quarter to secure their place in this weekend’s Ulster final against Magherafelt O’Donovan Rossa.

Despite the freezing conditions both sides produced a very entertaining encounter that kept the large travelling support on their toes and it was the more experienced Dromintee side who came out on top, their large spread of scorers proving the difference as Denn were very dependent on the highly talented Nathan Quigley who despite being very well marshalled by the tenacious Tomas Fox accounted for all but two of his sides scores. Quigley opened the scoring with a free as both sides took time to adjust to the surface on a cold evening.

Dromintee went on a scoring spree then for the next fifteen minutes as Scott Harris and Jarlath O’Neill edged the midfield battle, with Gavin O’Rourke proving an ideal target man inside despite being double marked. O’Neill and Oisin Byrne notched their sides first two points which were followed by a trio of points from the mesmerizing Ronan Martin who had a superb outing including a cracker from forty yards.

Oisin Byrne went on a driving run down the wing and cut inside to put his side five clear before the first goal of the game arrived courtesy of the MFC Sports man of the match Gavin O’Rourke, an empathic finish to the top corner capitalizing on a defensive slip up. Further scores from Oisin McCrink and Martin gave the orchard county boys a cushion although at this stage Denn were starting to find their feet with Conor McCabe, Finian Smith and Mark Reilly leading their charge. Three points from the prolific Quigley and a fine effort from Senan Smith gave the Breffni boys hope as the break approached.

Trailing 1-09 to 0-05 at half time Denn needed a good start to the second half and to their credit they pushed extremely hard and were awarded by two converted frees from Quigley to reduce the deficit. Realising the danger at this stage the Dromintee management switched O’Rourke out to midfield and this move had the desired affect with O’Rourke, Harris and Aodhan O’Neill ensuring they regained control of proceedings. The hard working McCrink got his second score of the evening with Senan Smith replying with a free after McCabe was upended as he careered through the Dromintee defence.

Dromintee showed all their experience dominating possession and patiently probing until they found gaps in the Denn rearguard. Jarlath O’Neill hit a brace of points as conditions worsened before Dromintee put the game beyond all doubt when substitute Ben McCoy found the net having been put through by the industrious Harris. Denn keeper Marc Libanza prevented a further major producing an excellent save to deny O’Neill. Oisin Byrne with two points and a much deserved score from Harris ended the scoring rounding off an excellent display from the title holders.

“We are really happy to come out on top against a stern test from a really good Denn side.” said a delighted Dromintee joint manager Shane McCoy as his thoughts turned immediately to Sunday’s final.

“We were aware of their qualities and they had a great result in their quarter final against Carrickmore. When we got over the line against Burren in our match it was about getting recovery into the lads because they have a heavy schedule with other football commitments and again now going into the final we need to manage the lads over the next 6 days.

“I felt we got the scores on the board this evening at crucial times. We started well in the first half tonight and got a bit of a lead and we kept on chipping away at points from there on. The lads showed good composure to keep the scoreboard ticking over and we defended well. Focus is now on Magherafelt and the threat that they will pose to us. Delighted for our club to be competing in another provincial final after last year’s victory. The hard work can’t stop and the lads will be looking forward to Sunday.”

The watching Magherafelt management will no doubt have been impressed with the workrate and composure shown by a strong Dromintee side and both sides will be hoping for a clean bill of health with players involved in key school games during the week. For Denn they can be proud of their efforts, in was unchartered territory for the Cavan side but they showed they have the quality to compete at this level and have plenty to build on for the future.

Dromintee: Patrick Rice, Tomas Fox, Darragh Bolger, Reece Kelly, Aodhan O’Neill, Emmett Mullen, Ronan Martin (0-4), Scott Harris (0-1), Gavin O’Rourke (1-0), Oisin McCrink (0-2), Jack Casey (0-1), Oisin Byrne (0-4), Peter Rice, Jarlath O’Neill (0-2, 1f), Ollie Rice

Subs: Ben McCoy (1-0) for O Rice, Jake Mooney for O’Neill, Louie Winters for E Mullen

Denn – Marc Libanza, Christian Ashfield, Daniel Galligan, Oran Smith, Conor McCabe, Rian Brady, Adam McManus, Finian Smith, Ronan Tierney, Mark Reilly, Senan Smith (0-2, 1f), Oisin Smith, Oisin Baker, Nathan Quigley (0-7, 5f), Aaron Farrelly

Subs: Rian Tobin for Farrelly

Referee: Paul Gallagher (Tyrone)

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