Leadon Timberframes Ulster Minor Hurling Tournament
Glenariffe/Glenravel vs Erin’s Own, Lavey
Tuesday 31 December 2024
Throw in: 12 noon
Venue: Dean McGlinchey Park, Ballinascreen
After their nail-biting semi-final victory against Bredagh, Glenariffe/Glenravel have their eyes set on further silverware. Standing between them and the chance to be named Ulster minor hurling champions are Derry side, Lavey.
The Gulladuff side are competing in the tournament for the third year in succession and after a disappointing showing in the 2023 competition, played much more to their potential last day out when they defeated Eoghan Ruadh Dungannon. At the end of the hour, Lavey ran out comfortable winners by a score line of 3-16 to 0-12 with goals coming from Lorcan McDonnell in the first half before a brace from Patrick Birt after the interval put daylight between the sides.
After a close first half that the Derry champions edged, Lavey really put in an excellent performance with centre half back Ryan McGarvey starring. His ability to cut out attacking threat coming into the Lavey defence gave his side a solid platform to take control of the game while Tiarnan Melaugh at full back shone. His twin, Conor forms an excellent midfield partnership with James Sargent – Sargent a rising star with the big ball within the Oak Leaf County having won back-to-back minor football All Ireland’s and captaining Derry earlier this year. He is every bit as talented with the ash (or bamboo nowadays) and sliotar, a real driving force for the Derry men and his ability to play in a range of positions makes him difficult to pin down. Up front, they have the attacking talents of Rian Collins, Jack Convery and goal scorers Birt and McDonnell.
In Derry, they had a comprehensive win against Swatragh in the opening round before defeating Kevin Lynch’s in the semi-final and set up a meeting with Slaughtneil in the decider. That match would go to extra-time when Lavey came back from the brink, thanks to a James Sargent major in the closing stages. They finished strongly and commanded extra time to take the Derry title for the third year in succession.
Against Bredagh, Callum McIlwaine shone from midfield. Seven points from play, five in the first half and immense work rate after the interval to help his side against a Bredagh side who had their tails up and the scent of victory in the closing stages. There was something poetic about him getting the final score of the game, it put two between the sides in injury time but it felt like the winning score at the time.
Orrin O’Connor was excellent at 11 and pulled the strings for his side. The sight of him having to be carried off at the final whistle with what looked like an ankle injury will be a major concern for the Glenariffe/Glenravel management. He has been brilliant for his side this year and an integral part of the Oisin’s senior panel that reached the county final. However, he did play without any hindrance during a helter-skelter 60 plus minutes.
Action from Lavey’s Jack Convery (14) and and Ryan McGarvey (6) in their semi-final win over Eoghan Rua on Saturday
Corner forward Oisin Gillan and full forward Phelim Ward scored their majors against Bredagh and formed an excellent inside forward line. Gillan’s pace and touch bewildering at times and gave the Bredagh defence plenty to think about.
Colla Ward had an excellent game on the edge of his own square and with team captain Niall Magee in front of him, they form a superb central spine to their defence. Magee, much like Sargent for Lavey, can control proceedings and make things happen with his vision and reading of the game.
Despite this being the first time Glenariffe/Glenravel have competed in this tournament, this group of players have met before. It’s three years past on 28 October that Glenariffe won the All-Ireland Division Two Féile and in their group, they defeated Lavey 2-6 to 0-4 – the then team captain Phelim Ward with the goals in what turned out to be their most difficult group game.
Lavey are looking to bridge a 19 year gap from their previous win in the tournament but Glenariffe/Glenravel will start this one as favourites. The nature of their match against Bredagh will sharpen their focus that little more ahead of this final. They are coming up against a talented Lavey side who’s threats will take some looking after but if they play to their potential, Glenariffe/Glenravel should add their names to the list of Antrim winners of this tournament.
Pics from the Glenariffe v Lavey meeting in the All Ireland Feile B competition in Thurles in 2021