Ulster IFC Club quarter-final
Rock (Tyrone) v St. Enda’s (Antrim)
Dungannon – Sunday 3-30pm
Antrim division 2 and Intermediate champions, Naomh Eanna Antrim face a daunting challenge when they face Tyrone champions, St. Patrick’s Rock in O’Neill’s Park, Dungannon on Sunday evening, hoping to match or emulate the class of 2019
The Glengormley side collected their first senior football title in their history that year when they defeated Gort na Mona in that year’s Antrim Intermediate football final at Corrigan Park but few could have envisaged just where this victory would lead them to in the months that followed.
Long regarded as under achievers in Antrim, St. Enda’s appointed former Antrim supremo Frank Fitzsimmons as manager in 2017 and after gaining promotion from division 2 the Lamh Dhearg man and his assistants, Pat Hughes and Thomas McNulty led them to an impressive first season back in division 1.
Division 2 sides who have made the step up to division 1 in previous years had struggled to maintain division 1 status but St. Enda’s looked at home in the higher grade recording some excellent results which included a win over that year’s Senior Football championship winners, Erin’s Own Cargin.
A Kristan Healey goal sent St Enda’s to victory over Monaghan champions Doohamalet in the opening round of Ulster and Tattyreagh of Tyrone and Mullahoran of Cavan were put to the sword as Naomh Eamma claimed their first Ulster title.
It was on to Pairc Tailteann in Navan and a meeting with Connaught champions, An Spidal of Galway in the All Ireland semi-final and what a day in the sun it proved to be. Three goals in the opening 30 minutes put Naomh Éanna in control.
Kristian Healy’s effort settling them into the game before Ruirái Scott opened daylight in the 20th minute. The third goal however was the game changer. And it came from Joe Maskey who sent his shot to an empty net from his own half of the field after Spidal keeper, Maghnus Breathnach had been caught in possession 60 yards from his own goals.
The class of 2019: Odhran Eastwood and Kristan Healey will bring experience and know-how to the Naomh Eanna attack
Kilcummin were their opponents in the All Ireland final and the Kerry champions proved a bridge too far for the Antrim men but their success that year should have heralded a period of success for the Glengormley side but it failed to materialise.
That team broke up in the years that followed with emigration in search of work a primary contributor to that breakup and they were soon back playing their football in division 2 and the Intermediate grade but after a period of rebuilding they are back in division 1 next season and will play in the Senior Championship next season.
Under the guidance of former Antrim chairman, Ciaran McCavana Naomh Eanna went through their division 2 campaign unbeaten and repeated that feat in the Intermediate championship where they looked mighty impressive when they defeated St. James Aldergrove in the final.
James McAuley, Odhran Eastwood, Kristan Healey, Michael Morgan and Eoin Nagle are the only survivors from the clan of 2019 but they bring a bit of experience to a fairly young and inexperienced St. Enda’s side who have a lot of talented players.
Morgan and Fionn Nagle form a strong mid-field partnership with Diarmuid McNulty and Cillian Browne anchoring a solid defence and with James McAuley adding experience and knowhow.
Stephen O’Connor and Michael McKenna have impressed in attack and with Odhran Eastwood, Kristan Healey and Padraig O’Hare have the firepower to trouble St. Patrick’s Rock in Dungannon if given a good supply from out the field.
WHAT OF ST. PATRICK’S ROCK?
After producing an impressive performance to defeat Pomeroy in the Tyrone final, St. Patrick’s received a tuff draw when they had to travel to Burren last Sunday to face Down champions, Rostrevor in what was their Ulster debut.
They looked on their way to an early exit when they trailed the Mourne champions by 9 points at the interval but produced a spectacular second half comeback to beat Rostrevor and earn a place in Sunday’s quarter-final and a home draw against the Antrim champions.
Two quick-fire goals from Odhran Carroll and Thomas Mackle got their comeback underway and slowly they began to reign in the Down men. A 2 point free from Shane Murphy from his own half gave them the lead for the first time in injury time and they held on for an hard earned win.
Towering mid-fielders, Diarmaid Carroll and Thomas Mackle provide Rock with a strong platform while Shane Murphy’s ability to kick 2 pointers could be vital in a tight contest and after travelling to Burren as underdogs last day out.
Rock will start as favourites by virtue of their Tyrone final and Ulster debut results but the tag of underdogs with suit Ciaran McCavana’s men and with a fair break of the ball they can take a first step of emulating the side of 2019.
