Mullins praises Urris troops following dramatic U-16 final win in Convoy

There was a triumphant scene in Convoy on Sunday night when Urris team captain Joe Doherty slotted home his side’s fifth penalty to win the U-16 B championship title against Termon. 

Despite starting the better of the two teams that saw the Inishowen men hold a seven-point lead at one stage, it looked towards the end that this final was going to escape from their clutches, with extra-time even failing to separate the sides after 80-plus minutes of football. 

It may have been nervous moments for both clubs due to the dreaded task of penalties, but Urris kept their cool as they nailed home all five of their spot kicks following a 2-15 to 4-9 scoreline in Convoy. 

The resulting reaction from the Inishowen side’s management was just one of pure pride and relief. 

“We’re very happy with the result, I think the game was a testament to Termon, they were a fantastic team who never gave in and we knew it was going to be a very close game against them, and it was,” said Urris team manager Bernard Mullins after the match. 

“I think with penalties, it’s not a very nice way to win but we’re happy with the result and we’re just very proud of the lads.” 

Despite Urris leading throughout, Termon only took the lead at the start of extra-time when they burst into a two-point advantage following points from Ronan Cunningham and Damhain McGettigan as Urris's bodies began to tire. 

But Mullins acknowledges that his side never worried, instructing his team during the extra-time break to stay focused, with them responding with two more points to bring the game back level in the dying minutes of the match. 

“We were never worried because we knew we had it in the tank, and we were able to focus and keep going strong the whole way,” Mullins said. “The boys had to dig deep because when you play a team like Termon, you know it’s going to be a really tough game. 

“We knew that Termon have talent all around the field, we drew with them in the league earlier this season, so we knew it was going to take a lot of fight from us and really it's just a fantastic day for the club.” 

For Mullins, who is a son of GAA legend and former Dublin footballer Brian, he admits that Sunday’s win was a result of all the dedication and hardwork the players have put in on and off the field over the last number of years when he’s been involved with them. 

“We’re very proud of the lads. I’ve been involved with these boys for a long time since they were U-10 or U-12, so it’s been a few years now and it’s great to see the lads’ hardwork paying off,” he said.