Ulster Club Minor Football Tournament Final: Dungiven (Derry) v Four Masters (Donegal) (Sunday, St Paul's, 1pm)
They were the first team from Derry to win the St Paul’s Tournament back in 1990. On New Year’s Day, Dungiven will seek to continue a remarkable recent run of success in the competition for teams from the Oak Leaf County at the expense of Donegal’s Four Masters.
In total, Derry teams have won the Ulster Club Minor Football Tournament 17 times - most recently Lavey in 2019.
That was the last time the prestigious competition was held due to Covid, but the West Belfast club have pulled out all the stops to ensure the tournament returned in style this year and Sunday’s decider promises to be a fitting finale.
Read more: Derry relishing Dublin date with promotion again on the agenda insists Brendan Rogers
St Canice’s defeated Magherafelt 1-11 to 0-11 to lift the Derry Minor Championship title and enjoyed an facile 3-12 to 0-11 win over Ramor United of Cavan in the Ulster quarter-final.
They then had to pull out all the stops to see off Down champions Burren in the semi-final with Derry Minor star Odhran Murphy and Donach McGongile scoring the vital goals in their 2-11 to 3-6 victory.
Four Masters have surprised many to reach this year’s provincial final, but the Donegal Town outfit have won two Donegal Minor Championships in three seasons.
They saw off the challenge of Irvinestown of Fermanagh in the preliminary round before defeating Armagh champions Clan na Gael in the quarter-final.
Their best performance in the competition to date was their impressive semi-final win over a highly-rated Donaghmore side.
Conor Meehan plundered 1-6 from corner-forward, but the Four Masters defence limited the Tyrone side to just 0-5 in the game.
Donegal teams don’t boast the same record as Derry clubs in the competition with Temon losing the 2019 final while St Eunan’s were beaten by Crossmaglen in 2015.
Aodh Ruadh’s 1992 success was the last time a Donegal team won at St Paul’s and that was two years after they lost out to Dungiven in the 1990 decider.
Four Masters will be hoping history doesn’t repeat itself, but Dungiven will be strong favourites to lift the Jim McConville Cup on New Year’s Day.
Read next:
Armagh targeting fast start to 2023 with new faces to feature in Dr McKenna Cup
Down have the potential to flourish in 2023 says selector Declan Morgan
Antrim squad taking shape as Andy McEntee makes a number of new additions
2022 Football Power Rankings: Kerry regained Sam but new challengers have emerged
- Stars of the Ulster Club series who could make a big impact for their counties in 2023
Sign up to our free sports newsletter to get the latest headlines to your inbox.
Follow BelfastLive
