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Paul McGirr Cup draw: Dromintee await preliminary round winners as Ulster U16 competition resumes

paddy tierney
·2-min read
Representatives from the nine teams involved in this year's Paul McGirr tournament pictured at the launch at Garvaghey last week
-Credit: (Image: Dromore GAC)


The launch of the Paul McGirr Ulster U16 Club Championship in association with MFC Sports took place in Garvaghy last Friday evening before a large attendance as excitement builds for the start of one of the GAA’s leading underage tournaments.

Ulster GAA president Ciaran McLaughlin was among the guest speakers in attendance and commented on the way the tournament has gone from strength to strength and how its links with the Spirit Of Paul McGirr Trust and all the work it does for underprivileged children in Lusaka, Zambia makes it have a special place in the Ulster GAA calendar.

The tournament that first started in 1999 comprises of the winners of the U16 championships in all nine Ulster counties and is renowned for being the springboard for the careers of some of the leading Ulster GAA players.

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2023 All Ireland winners Rian O’Neill, Oisin O’Neill, Conor Turbitt, Barry McCambridge, Tiernan Kelly, Tyrone’s Darragh Canavan and Derry’s Conor Glass being just some of those that first rose to prominence on the provincial scene in the Gardrum Park Dromore in recent years.

Reigning champions Dromintee return to defend their title this year as Armagh champions but they will face formidable opposition as they seek to defend their crown with Ulster President McLaughlin and Tyrone County Chairman Martin Sludden completing the draw.

The action gets under way on Sunday with a double-header at Gardrum Park with Magherfelt taking on Donaghmoyne at 1pm followed by Portglenone against Four Masters at 4pm.

Paul McGirr Ulster U16 Championship

Preliminary Round

Burren (Down) v Newtownbutler (Fermanagh)

Quarter Finals

Magherafelt O’Donovan Rossa v Donaghmoyne (Monaghan)

Roger Casements Portglenone (Antrim) v Four Masters (Donegal)

Carrickmore (Tyrone) v Denn (Cavan)

Dromintee (Armagh) v Preliminary Round Winners

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