St Paul’s have just launched the dates and times for the annual fonaCab Ulster Club Minor Football Tournament, which gets underway on Saturday 23rd of November when Antrim champions St Brigid’s take on O’Donovan Rossa of Magherafelt at Colaiste Feirste with a throw-in time of 5pm.
The 41st running of this great tournament, which is sponsored once again by fonaCAB, sees the Minor champions of each of Ulster’s nine counties battle it out for the prestigious Jim McConville Cup. The semi-finals, which are played on Sunday 22nd of December and on Boxing Day always draw big crowds, while the New Year’s Day final is always a big hit with GAA fans around the province. This year the tournament reverts back to Under 18, after a brief sojurn at Under 17, something local teams have been calling for since the switchover back in 2017,
Last season’s champions Four Masters of Donegal will be back to defend the trophy they won twelve months ago and with virtually the same personel featuring because of the age change. they are hotly fancied to retain their title. The Donegal boys will take on Scotstown of Monaghan in the quarter-final of Sunday 8th December at St Paul’s.
The preliminary round sees Down champions Mayobridge take on Kingscourt of Cavan with the winners to meet Tyrone champions Fr Rocks of Cookstown in the quarter-final.
The Tyrone winners were absent from last year’s competition but are thankfully back in action this time around. Irvinestown of Fermanagh and Clann Eireann of Armagh meet in the quarter-final on Sunday 1st December on the 3G pitch down at Colaiste Feirste, as do Antrim champions St Brigids and Derry kingpins O’Donovan Rossa who get the competition underway next Saturday at 5pm on Colaiste Feirste’s 3G pitch.
At the launch of the tournament a couple of weeks ago club secretary Conor McCartan said “It is great to launch another year of the fonaCAB Ulster Minor Football Tournament, supported by Belfast City Council. The tournament has gone from strength to strength over the past decade and it is a testament to the prestige of the tournament that minor footballers all over the province wish to compete in it.
“We are delighted to have some clubs returning from last year, including St Molaise, Magherafelt and the reigning champions Four Masters from Donegal. The draw has thrown up some mouth-watering ties, particularly Antrim champions St Brigid’s versus Magherafelt and Four Masters versus Scotstown and we can’t wait to get started.”
Caroline McLaughlin, CLG Naomh Pól chairperson, added: “CLG Naomh Pól is delighted to officially launch the fonaCAB Ulster Minor Football 2024. CLG Naomh Pól is delighted to officially launch the fonaCAB Ulster Minor Football 2024. This tournament is held in the highest regard by gaels across Ulster and Ireland and it is great to see the buzz about CLG Naomh Pól, participating clubs and communities across the province since we have be given the approval.
“Our thanks to all at Ulster Schools and Ulster GAA for the continued support in facilitating this year’s tournament which is back to the traditional U18 age grade.”
William McCausland, CEO of sponsors fonaCAB, added: “fonaCAB is delighted to be involved with the fantastic Ulster Minor Football Tournament and wish CLG Naomh Pól and all participating clubs the best of luck throughout the Christmas and New Year period.”