High-quality encounter expected in Ulster U20 final

By Niall Gartland

EXPECT nothing less than a high-octane contest packed with thrills and spills in tonight’s Ulster U20 Championship final showdown at Owenbeg.

Reigning champions Tyrone will put their title on the line against a Donegal side that have been utterly rampant en route to tonight’s game.

Five outings, five comprehensive victories – and as it happens, the only match where Gary Boyle’s side failed to win by double scores was a group stage encounter against Tyrone in Ballybofey four weeks ago today.

But even then, nine points separated the teams at the final whistle, so the burning question is whether Tyrone have sufficiently closed the gap in such a brief space of time.

The Red Hands have pedigree on their side. Under the uninterrupted tutelage of Paul Devlin, they’ve won four of the last six Ulster Championships and they can call upon eight starting members of the team that memorably swatted aside Kerry in last year’s All-Ireland final against Kerry. Three of the subs that came on that day – Fiachra Nelis, Noah Grimes and Caolan Donnelly – are also key members of this year’s set-up.

They know how to win big games and showed immense resolve in their semi-final clash against re-match favourites Derry a week ago, upping the ante big-time in the second-half en route to recording a 3-12 to 0-19 victory, with midfield duo Cónán Devlin and Conor O’Neill, as well as attacking star Eoin McElholm getting the goals. They’re captained by Joey Clarke, assisted by Callum Daly, two more players from last year’s all-conquering Tyrone team, while there are a host of other exceptionally talented players throughout the team.

It hasn’t entirely been smooth-sailing to tonight’s game – there was that unexpected Donegal defeat and they came from behind in their knock-out wins over Armagh and Derry, but they’ve made it back to the big day and can call upon a galaxy of potential future stars who have already won a bagful of schools and county titles.

Donegal, meanwhile, booked their spot in the final with a swashbuckling 4-19 to 2-7 victory over Cavan, a result very much in keeping with their form-line through this year’s competition.

While they haven’t won the provincial competition in its current format, last triumphing in 2017 when it was still played at U21 level, they shouldn’t be short in confidence heading into this evening’s match.

They’ve racked up an average of over 28 points a game, by contrast have coughed up an average of only 11 points and like Tyrone, are a hugely talented bunch.

Cian McMenamin made his first championship appearance in this year’s campaign last week after recovering from injury, scoring 1-3 against Cavan. Finbarr Roarty is already a regular starter at senior intercounty level, while Tyrone will be particularly mindful of the threat of Four Masters clubmen Conor McCahill and Seanán Carr, who excelled in their group stage encounter. Having the honour of captaining the side is Seán Martin, assisted by Mark McDevitt.

It all points to what should be an absorbing contest between two high-quality teams – will Donegal maintain their unbeaten run or will Tyrone go back-to-back? We’ll soon find out…