Ulster JHJC Quarter-Final

Sean Tracey’s Armagh v Rasharkin

Athletic Grounds Armagh-Saturday 2-00pm

St. Mary’s Rasharkin defied the odds to defeat Glen Rovers, Armoy in the Antrim final in Loughgiel two weeks ago and on Saturday they travel to the Athletic Grounds where they will face Sean Tracey’s of Lurgan in the Ulster club championship.

Despite Rasharkin finishing above Armoy in the league, it was last year’s beaten finalists Glen Rovers who were tipped to take this year’s Junior title in Loughgiel and when Rasharkin lead by only three at half time after playing with a strong breeze it wasn’t looking good for the Dreen side.

Two goals in the opening four minutes of the second half swung this Junior Hurling Championship decider decisively in the direction of St. Mary’s Rasharkin though they were forced withstand a late rally from Glen Rovers.

With the gale force wind at their backs St. Mary’s led by 0-8 to 0-5 at the interval but with the elements in their favour in the second half, Glen Rovers were expected to take control.

Instead it was the men from Dreen who dictated the early second half exchanges with Conor McFerran following up on a Conor Devlin save from Donagh Quigg in the opening minute to finish to the net from close range.

Three Minutes later the excellent Quigg got in for a second St. Mary’s goal and suddenly a three point lead had been stretched to nine and the Blue & Amber’s were firmly in the driving seat.

St. Mary’s were forced to withstand a late rally from their North Antrim opponents but stood strong to take the title before the celebrations got underway.

Rasharkin defeated Davitt’s and Ardoyne to qualify from Group 1 while Armoy won all three games in Group to set up what looked to have the makings of a good final and so it proved to be.

The men from Dreen can go into Saturday’s quarter-final with confidence against a Sean Tracey’s side who will have confidence themselves after defeating Erne Gaels in last weekend’s preliminary round.

The return of James O’Mullan to the Rasharkin goals has been a major boost while Daniel and Conor Doherty and Connaire Donaghy form a solid full-back line for St. Mary’s.

Ruairi and Tiernan O’Boyle flanked Aidan McKeever in the half-back line against Armoy while Shane Hasson and Conor McFerran formed an experienced mid-field partnership against Glen Rovers.

Team captain Donagh Quigg led by example in a man of the match performance and his goal early in the second half and another from Conor McFerran proved match winning scores and these two with Emmet McFerran carry the scoring threat that can see them advance to the semi-final on Saturday.

Throw in at the Athletic Grouds in 2-00pm and Rasharkin are likely to bring a big support to the Armagh venue and lets hope the Blue & Ambers can make their journey worth while.

Rasharkin v Armoy: 1 James O’Mullan, 2 Daniel Doherty, 3 Conor Doherty, 4 Connaire Donaghy, 5 Ruairi O’Boyle, 6 Aidan McKeever, 7 Tiernan O’Boyle, 8 Shane Hasson, 9 Conor McFerran, 10 Cathir Henderson, 11 Emmet McFerran, 12 Conor McKeever, 13 Donagh Quigg, 14 Conor McKillop, 15 Declan McKay.

Subs: Brian Og O’Neill for Conor McKillop, Connor Higgins for Tiernan O’Boyle, Caolan Maria, Daniel Hasson