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Month / December 2025
New Year’s Day decider should be a classic
St. Paul’s/fonaCAB Ulster Minor Club Final
Dromintee (Armagh) v Clontibret (Monaghan)
Shaw’s Road Thursday 1.00pm
The New Year’s Day St. Paul’s/fonaCAB Ulster Minor Club football final has all the ingredients of a classic as the champions of Armagh, Dromintee take on their Monaghan counterparts, Clontibret.
Both sides have impressed on their way to Thursday’s decider with Clontibret producing a strong second half comeback to overcome the challenge of Bredagh in their semi-final while Dromintee came from behind to edge out a fancied Dungiven a week later to book their place in the New Year’s Day decider.
Clontibret looked in deep trouble against Bredagh in the first semi-final and conceded 3-2 in a five-minute period in the first half, but staged a strong comeback to overturn the Bredagh lead.
Midway through the first half, Tiernan Conway shot home and gave Bredagh the lead for the first time and it coincided with a five minute period of dominance where two further goals from Jack McConville had their side in front at the break.
However, the Belfast side went over 30-minutes without a score and Clontibret pressed on after hitting the front midway through the second half as they booked their return to the Shaw’s Road on New Year’s Day
It will have been a matter of concern for the Clontibret management that their defence was so easily pierced in the opening half but they seemed to have resolved that problem after the break and produced an exhibition of point taking that was mighty impressive.
The Monaghan champions hit 0-21 over the hour as an early Shane Byrne angled score had Clontibret on the front foot after the restart with Darragh Keenan adding a further point 60-seconds later.
The bare minimum separated the sides following a floated Oliver Kelly point and by the 42nd minute the Monaghan men were back on terms after Keenan’s long range attempt dropped short and Jack Brady fisted over the equaliser.
Clontibret hit the front for the first time since the 15th minute midway through the second half after Charlie Mone switched the play to Evan Treanor to pop over.
Treanor brought his tally to three for the afternoon and having already hit six-unanswered points, Darragh Keenan fisted over from close range. Mone and Treanor clipped over and Daniel Boylan split the posts in the 57th minute as Clontibret pushed on to win by four.
Armagh champions, Dromintee booked their place in the final with a 1-13-1-10 comeback win over 2022 champions St Canice’s Dungiven on St Stephen’s Day.
Dungiven started this one as slight favourites having taken out reigning champions, Four Masters in the quarter final and Paddy Higgins 23rd minute goal helped the Derry side to a 1-6-0-5 lead at the break, but after extending their half time advantage within the first ten minutes of the second half, they then went 22-minutes without a score.
In the intervening period Dromintee hit 1-5 without reply, Michael O’Neill’s scuffed shot finding the net in the 48th minute to draw his side level for the first time since the 12th minute.
The Armagh natives three-point lead was whittled down to a point after back-to-back Padraig Hagan frees in added time, but late points from Oisin Byrne and Calvin Mooney booked their sides place in the final.
Fionn Toale, Oisin Byrne, Calvin Mooney and Daniel Martin carry a serious scoring threat for Dromintee with Byrne one in particular to watch despite only scoring a point in the semi-final
Dromintee, on the semi-final evidence, look stronger in defence than Thursday’s opponents with Dunne a solid full-back and O’Rourke, O’Neill and Toale strong defenders who add a serious scoring threat.
Charlie Mone, David Boylan, Evean Treanor, Shane Byrne have the scoring prowess to trouble Dromintee and if the Monaghan side’s defence can tighten up from the start then there is unlikely to be much between the sides but a tentative vote goes the way of the Armagh side.
JP Mone hopeful that Clontibret can create further history and follow in the footsteps of 2002 heroes.
By Kevin Herron
CLONTIBRET boss John Paul Mone admits that winning the FonaCAB Ulster Minor Tournament at St Pauls has always been the target and following in the footsteps of the class of 2002.
The Monaghan outfit are the only club from the Farney County to have tasted success 23-years ago, with Mone’s brothers involved in that last success and he is hoping to end the Christmas period on a high by creating further history for the parish.
“We’ve enjoyed our christmas” he acknowledged.
“It has been that wee bit more special. I know this tournament incredibly well. I played here twice before, I’ve watched my own club teams and my brothers come up here and then actually win it- which is a very proud thing for our club.
“We set our stall out at the start of this to say that we wanted to create our own bit of history within our own club. The boys run a fantastic tournament here and it’s very prestigious. We hold it in very, very high regard and we’re hoping that we can get our name on that trophy again come New Years Day”.
A spectator back in 2022, Mone believes that success was a proud moment for Clontibret and the local community and has praised the backing the team of 2025 has received along their journey.
“It was a very proud moment for our club after trying on a number of occasions” he explained.
“We had played in the final three times at that point and this will be our fourth appearance in the final- so like I say, we know it very well.
“You can see the crowd that comes up from our club. They’ve a great following this team and we’re looking forward to the final.
“I’d a brother on the team that won it in 2002, I’ve two sons that play on this team. We’re no different from any other club- we’re very much family orientated and the local community”.
Reflecting on their semi-final victory over Bredagh, Mone felt his side performed under their usual standard in the first half, but was pleased they brought more intensity in the second period.
“It was a big turnaround,” he recalled.
“We were probably disappointed in our first half performance. We felt that we didn’t get up to the standard that we set ourselves, part of that was ourselves but a lot of it was down to Bredagh and how they pressurised us as well.
“We probably came in a little bit under the kind of standard that we set ourselves but it is about playing the full game, it is never about just the first half. We had to rectify a few things, get a little bit more organised and a little bit more intensity to our game- thankfully what the boys showed in the second half is what is in our artillery and came out and showed it in full spade”.
The Clontibret boss described the concession of three goals in a five-minute spell as uncharacteristic- but is hopeful that they can turn it into a positive ahead of Thursday’s final.
“It’s very uncharacteristic for us to let three goals in like that,” Mone admitted.
“I always say the boys have always shown great heart and maybe that is something that will help us if we’re going to go on and try and achieve things in the final.
“Maybe being put in that sort of situation, you can always put the positive on it- and that hopefully will help us when we do go into the final. We were faced with a titanic battle at that stage, and the boys were able to turn it round, dig deep and get the result”.
Dromintee focusing on stepping stones rather than victory ahead of their first Ulster Minor Final appearance
By Kevin Herron
DROMINTEE coach Kevin Toale is adamant that their mindset ahead of their New Years Day decider of the FonaCAB Ulster Minor Tournament at St Pauls is not about winning, but putting stepping stones in place.
The Orchard outfit are bidding to land the trophy for the first time in their competition against 2002 winners Clontibret.
Ahead of the Thursday decider, Toale believes victory would be an enormous achievement and a reflection of the community effort within the club.
“The mindset here is we are not thinking of winning it, we are putting the stepping stones in place to achieve that- as are Clontbret at this stage” said Toale.
“What it would achieve would be enormous. It would be a very good reflection of the amount of work that has been put in by this team- not just this year but over many years. Also by parents, community etc – in Dromintee it is an absolute community effort”.
Toale was not in attendance at Clontibret’s semi-final win over Bredagh though acknowledged that there was a lot of content online on their opponents.
“I personally didn’t get down but there is that much online at the moment- I feel like I was” he admits.
“Clontibret are a very well coached, very disciplined and physical team. You don’t get to these finals by chance; you’ve to earn it, you’ve to forget that everyone is a county champion here.
“A small club like ourselves, a lot of people saying we are fighting above our weight, you don’t go into a final to lose”.
Toale was more than aware that his side were being written off on social media in the build-up to their St Stephens Day win over St Canice’s but was determined that it wouldn’t come into the changing room and praised the self-belief of the team for their comeback win.
“It was always going to be very much touch and go, I know coming in here we were the underdogs” he reflected.
“I suppose the title of underdogs which was on many of the facebook, Tick-Tok etc- there was a lot of stuff saying that we didn’t have much of a chance.
“That didn’t come into the changing room. We came down here with a lot of belief, a huge amount of respect for Dungiven and their coaches- I think their coaching especially- they deserve great credit. They presented a very formatable team for us.
“Going in at half-time we were four points down and we had utter self-belief that we were going to do this. The character of those boys is beyond good coaching. Good coaching presents, but their character stood up at the end there, and full credit to them”.
One of the many qualities that Toale was impressed with was his side’s discipline and structure throughout the game.
“In this sort of Championship football, at this time of the year it can be the proverbial wild-west during a match and it’s a case of keeping discipline” Toale explained.
“People were asking us are you motivated. Of course we are motivated, but it wasn’t motivation it was discipline and apply discipline and continue to the very end. They had a structured game plan, we stuck to it and it paid off for us”.
Cushendall claim the last silverware of 2025
Leadon Timberframe Ulster Minor Hurling Championship Final
Ruairí Óg, Cushendall 3-17 Séan Mac Cumhaill, Bealach Féich (Donegal) 0-4
Sunday 28 December
Brendan McTaggart reports from Páirc Shéamuis Mhic Fhailí, Baile na Scrine
Cushendall cruised to a 22 point win against Séan Mac Cumhaill on Sunday afternoon and claim the Ulster Minor Hurling Tournament Cup at Ballinascreen. It was a dominant display from the young Ruairí Ógs who led from start to finish and amassed all but one of their scores from open play.
Fiontan Bradley fires the ball to the Séan Mac Cumhaill net inside the first minute
Fiontan Bradley and Ryan McAuley got the goals, Bradley with one in either half while early substitute Fintan McKillop claimed the man of the match award from the sponsors (Leadon Timberframe). McKillop was brought on after just four minutes of the final after Brian McNeill failed to shake off an injury picked up in the semi final. He would finish with six white flags and put in a quite brilliant performance for his side.
Conor McCann and Callagh Mooney excelled at the heart of the Ruairí’s defence while McLaughlin brothers Thomas and Nicholas were pulling the strings in midfield.
It was always going to be a massive ask for the Ballybofey side who had performed so well in causing a massive upset last Sunday defeating Ballygalget in the semi final but they found Cushendall in no mood to let lightning strike twice. Daniel Donnelly, Jacob Malone and Pauric Kelly all had good games for Séan Mac Cumhaill but they struggled with a sharp and more cohesive Cushendall side.
Cushendall made a fast start to the final and had the first goal of the game inside the opening 60 seconds. Callagh Mooney sending the sliotar towards Bradley and breaking the delivery into space, the Cushendall full forward drove a ground shot home from close range. Points followed from Connlaodh McNaughton, Nicholas McLaughlin and Alex McCambridge while Bradley added to his goal to leave the Ruairi’s 1-4 to no score ahead after 10 minutes.
Séan Mac Cumhaill played Daniel Donnelly in a deeper role but the delivery into the forwards and ability to take a score from distance meant Cushendall were able to transfer their pressure into points on the board.
Daimhin Byrne opened Séan Mac Cumhaill’s scoring when he intercepted a loose pass before splitting the uprights in the 11th minute. That would be their only score from open play however as the Cushendall defence remained on top throughout.
Cushendall were awarded a penalty in the 15th minute when Bradley was hauled to the ground as he made his way towards goal. Séan Mac Cumhaill claimed Bradley had overcarried but their complaints fell on deaf ears. Nicolas McLaughlin took the resulting penalty but his effort was well saved by Fionn Mac an Ultaigh.
The Ruairi’s continued to find the target from various ranges with Bradley and Mooney firing over along with scores from Thomas McLaughlin, Cahir McCambridge and a brace from Fintan McKillop. A free from Dylan Patton the sole response from the Ballybofey side as Cushendall took a time lead of 1-10 to 0-2 into the half time interval.
Séan Mac Cumhaill started the second half with more intensity and tackles started to increase in ferocity yet ultimately, it started the same way as the first – a Cushendall goal. Collecting the sliotar in the right hand corner, Cahir McCambridge got clear of the tackles along the end line before finding Ryan McAuley. McAuley was under pressure but managed to get enough on the sliotar from close range and beat Mac an Ultaigh in the Séan Mac Cumhaill goals.
A free from Donnelly was responded with Fintan McKillop’s third point of the final before Séan Mac Cumhaill were reduced to 14 men. Substitute Sean Og Hannigan receiving his marching orders for a strike with his hurl on Thomas McLaughlin, giving referee the easiest decision of the final. A tackle borne out of frustration given what had happened before when McLaughlin had superbly robbed him of possession but a clear breaking of the laws.
With the game opening up, Cushendall began to put even further daylight between the sides with Fintan McKillop, Bradley and Shane McQuillan finding their range. Donnelly would split the uprights for his second free with 12 minutes remaining but that was the last score by the Ballybofey men.
The third Cushendall major came in the 55th minute through a piece of individual brilliance. Bradley gathered the sliotar and rounded his man. The Séan Mac Cumhaill closed in and starved him of space but he managed to hammer the sliotar to the back of the net one handed.
Nicholas McLaughlin had the final say with the last score of the final as Cushendall romped home to claim the last silverware of 2025.
The win see’s Cushendall join St John’s and Kevin Lynch’s on three wins each at the Tournament and Antrim joining Derry with winning the competition on 11 occasions.
TEAMS
CUSHENDALL: Shane Coulter; Paddy Morgan, Conor McCann, Brian McNeill; Alex McCambridge, Callagh Mooney, Aodhán Campbell; Thomas McLaughlin, Nicholas McLaughlin; Shane McQuillan, Connlaodh McNaughton, Ryan McAuley; Cahir McCambridge, Fiontan Bradley, Dáire Higgins
Subs: Fintan McKillop for B McNeill (4); Diarmuid McManus for S McQuillan (51); Sean Pol McNaughton for R McAuley (53); Calum Quinn for A Campbell (57)
Scorers: F Bradley 2-3 (1f); F McKillop 0-6; R McAuley 1-00; N McLaughlin 0-2; A McCambridge 0-1; C Mooney 0-1; T McLaughlin 0-1; C McNaughton 0-1; C McCambridge 0-1; S McQuillan 0-1
SÉAN MAC CUMHAILL: Fionn Mac an Ultaigh; Ultán Coyle, Shay Bradley, Adam Byrne; Patrick McElhinney, Oisin Mullen, Lorcan Byrne; Pauric Kelly, Tomás McNulty; Rory Doherty, Daniel Donnelly, Jamie Gallen; Dylan Patton, Jacob Malone, Daimhin Byrne
Subs: Sean Og Hannigan for A Byrne (28); Matthew Dowds for J Gallen (40); Shay McNulty for R Doherty (44); Ultan O Giollagáin for L Byrne (48); Liam Gallen for D Patton (51)
Scorers: D Donnelly 0-2 (2fs); D Patton 0-1 (1f); D Byrne 0-1
Referee: Sean Curran (Derry)
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