Tomorrow Wednesday 18th March St Columbas Glenties will try and take the ulster crown of Colaiste na Carriage in what promises to be a cracker of an Ulster Markey cup final. The game will be played in Odonnell Park Letterkenny with a 1pm throw in as Ryan Walsh will take charge in the middle.
Both teams have been mighty impressive in reaching the final as the holders Carrick came from a 4 point deficit to defeat Largey in the semi final as Glenties were taken to a replay by Pobascoil Gweedore in which they played arguably their best football of the competition thus far.
Carrick have a squad full of quality and in County minor & Kilcar clubman Conor Doherty they have one of the most outstanding forwards in the game. His pace will no doubt cause the Glenties scholars major problems. County minors and clubmen from Naomh Columba Phillip Doherty & Phillip McInern are tigerish defenders and will not give an inch to the opposing attackers. Jamie J will be asked to marshall the carrick defence with last years county minor Paddy Byrne swapping his goalie shirt for the midfield one. This would be a very young Carrick side with the like’s of Lanty Molloy & Aaron Doherty players to keep an eye on.
Noel Ward the Carrick manager along with trainer Neilly Byrne, Damien Carr & Patrick McShane have put together an excellent side as they will be hoping to retain the trophy in what should be a close contest.
St Columbas can also boast real quality in the likes of County minors and Naomh Conaill clubmen Ethan Odonnell & Eoghan Mcgettigan. Two very quick forwards who are in terrific form with club & county. Ardara clubman who also downs the County colours John Ross Molloy will be asked to marshall the defence and try and keep things tight for his team. Na Rossa clubman & County minor Sean Mcmonagle also plays on a forward line that boasts plenty of pace.
A major worry for Martin Regans scholars is the fitness of Odhran Molloy after he suffered an injury at the weekend. That would be a huge blow.
The Glenties manager Martin Regan has his team well drilled and will be well up for this test. Dominic Gallagher & Declan Bonner will assist the manager on the sideline.
PREDICTION:
A big crowd will be out to shout on 2 very committed sides and we should be treated to a terrific game. The St Columbas forwards if given enough ball will prove the difference between the sides. A narrow win for the Glenties Scholars.
Whoever triumphs tomorrow will have no time to dwell on the result as they will play the McClaron cup winners ‘Our Ladys of Castleblaney’ in the All Ireland quarterfinal this Saturday.
The Southern Board would like to wish both teams & management the very best in the final tomorrow.
Colaiste na Carriage Squad:
Michael Cunningham, Daniel Lyons, Jamie J Mcginley, Conor Carr, Paul Doherty, Phillip Doherty, Brian Odonnell, Christopher Byrne, Paddy Byrne, Gary Molloy, Pauric Cunningham, Lanty Molloy, Pauric Oneill, Aaron Doherty, Owen Odonnell, Phillip McInern, Shane Gillespie, Jason McGill, Stephen Callaghan, Patrick McShane, Pauric McShane, Paddy McShane. Paedar Conroy, Ronan Ohare,John Gibbons & John James McNelis.
St Columbas Glenties Squad:
Patrick Gallagher, Joe Melly, John Ross Molloy, Conor Bonner, Charlie McDonnell, Christian Bonner, JD Boyle, Charles McGuinness, John McDyre, Eoghan McGettigan, Sean Mcmonagle, Ethan Odonnell, Odhran Molloy, Stefan Boyle, Ciaran Gallagher, Paul Mcguinness, Logan Quinn, Ryan Mcgonagle, Senan Boyle, Jack Brennan, Jack Flannery.
By Sinéad Breen Donegal PRO Tue 17th Mar
