St Pauls FonaCAB Ulster Minor Football Tournament preview
Prelim Round – Portglenone v Ardboe, Sunday 23rd November, 1pm throw-in at Colaiste Feirste
By Kevin Herron
PORTGLENONE Minor manager Gareth Kelly admits that he was hopeful – like all the other nine participants, that his side would avoid the Prelim game in the St Pauls FonaCAB Ulster Minor Championship draw, but insists they will give it a go when they meet Ardboe on Sunday (1pm at Coaliste Feirste).
The Antrim Minor Champions make their debut in the competition having beaten St Paul’s in a thrilling final under lights in Dunsilly last month and Kelly feels that they are up against one of the favourites for the tournament.
“Like most teams, you are probably looking to avoid the Prelim- especially against one of the favourites” Kelly admits.
“Ardboe are a very good team. They’ve a lot of Tyrone U-17s in that team. They are well trained and Chrissy McKaigue I know is involved.
“We’ll go and give it a go, it’s a bonus and like every other team here, we still want to win games and we’ll look forward from there”.
Kelly believes that his side are comfortable with the underdog tag that they are up for the challenge ahead.
“We’ve drawn one of the favourites here in Ardboe. Themselves, Four Masters and Dungiven would have probably been eyeing this competition from a long way off, whereas we take this as bonus territory.
“Every game we’ve played so far- we’ve been underdogs- and we sort of suit that title. It’s a good challenge, I’m sure our boys will accept it and we’re just happy to be here and be in this competition”.
The Ports manager explains that their journey is unique, in that they have featured in B competitions down the years and only last year tasted success – winning the Minor B football Championship- their first success at Minor level as a stand alone club, having previously won Minor Football titles as part of the successful Sean Stinson’s amalgamation with neighbours Ahoghill.
“If you said to Ryan McKeever our captain four years ago when we started this that we’d be here in this competition, you’d be absolutely laughed at” he insisted.
“We were sitting playing B football and our story is different from everybody else. They were competing at A year after year.
“We spent several years rebuilding and last year we won the Minor B- our club’s first Minor title. This year we’ve won the A, so it’s all about progressing.
“These boys have broke the ceiling at this stage and it is the bonus stage. We’re looking forward to the game. It is a big undertaking for us, but we will enjoy it – we’re just delighted to be here”.
Alongside their Minor triumph in 2025, the U-16s also claimed the U-16 A title and Kelly is hopeful that senior success will soon follow.
“We’re definitely putting in the work (underage) and our seniors aren’t that far away. Outside of Cargin, we’ve probably been the most consistent team in Antrim over the last 10-years or so”
“It’s a game of inches too for them, hopefully they will get over the line very shortly – hopefully next year. We can only look forward to the Minors here at the minute, we are just delighted to be here”.