St Eunan’s minors have an early morning start on St Stephen’s Day as they head for Belfast for the fonaCAB Ulster Minor semi-final.
Pauric Ryan’s team face Derry kingpins Bellaghy at 1pm at the St Paul’s club, who host the annual tournament.
A place in the New Year’s Day final is up for grabs as St Eunan’s – the Ulster U16 champions of two years ago – take on the mighty Wolfe Tones.
Ryan will welcome Brendan Horgan and Patrick Tobin into his ranks for the big game, but it is likely that Ronan McCann will again have to sit out.
Ryan has been in charge of this group since their fledgling days at O’Donnell Park and they have risen formidably through the ranks.
A crowning moment arrived with the Ulster U16 final win over Warrenpoint. A 6-10 to 1-6 triumph saw them become the first side in St Eunan’s colours to win an Ulster title.
Hat-trick hero from that day Michael is now at Finn Harps, as is Daragh Ellison, who bagged 1-2 against Warrenpoint. Those two and Conor McMenamin, who has gone on to be capped for Ireland at rugby, have been lost to Ryan, but St Eunan’s have managed to retain their spark.
The side is littered with players who have represented Donegal.
Bellaghy had a comfortable 1-17 to 1-4 win over Inniskeen in their quarter-final, but St Eunan’s will fancy their chances of booking their tickets to next Tuesday’s final.
