Four Masters U-16s defeat Portglenone to reach Paul McGirr semi-final

Four Masters U-16 boys got their Ulster Paul McGirr campaign off to a good start against Roger Casements from Portglenone, in a cold and frosty Dromore on Sunday evening.

It was a nervy few minutes at the start for both teams, but a goal from Gethin Mosby on four minutes settled the Masters boys and they began to play with confidence. 

Points followed from Dáire Slevin, Thomas Lenehan and Tómas Carr stretching the lead, before the second goal from Dáire Slevin on 11 minutes.Portglenone’s impressive Odhran Doherty got his side moving and landed some long range scores to leave the score 2-5 to 0-4 at half-time. 

The Four Masters boys started the second half as they finished the first, adding four points to their tally and forcing a great save from the Portglenone keeper.

The Antrim side kept fighting and put two points on the board, but some excellent defending by the Four Masters as well as a goal chance that was expertly saved by Fintan James in the Four Masters goals, kept Portglenone at bay.

Odhran Doherty was leading the main threat for Roger Casements under close attention from Conor Griffin in midfield, and with five minutes to go Doherty’s long ball in deceived everyone and landed in the back of the Four Masters net. 

Four Masters responded with a Thomas Lenehan point and the game concluded with another point from Portglenone’s Doherty. 

A good sporting encounter from both sets of young players and we wish Roger Casements all the best for the 2025 season. Afterwards Tomas Carr was awarded the man of the match award after a fine performance in midfield and some excellent scores. The boys will return to Dromore in two weeks’ time for their semi-final.

Four Masters: Fintan James, Eoghan Tomas, Ethan McCrea, Sean Sweeney, Thomas Healy, Jack McGroarty, Odhran McMullin, Tomas Carr (0-2, 1f), Conor Griffin, Daire Slevin (1-1), Thomas Lenehan (0-5, 2f), Rory Doherty, Finn Gillespie (0-1), Gethin Mosby (1-1), Thomas McHugh (0-1)

Subs: Conall Flannery for T McHugh, Phelim James for S Sweeney, Daithi D McGinty for F Gillespie, Oran Boyle for R Doherty, Kian Gallagher for J McGroarty

Portglenone: Eoghan Smith, Cillian McKenna, Conall Morgan, Cillian McDonnell, Thomas Douthart, Christy McDonnell, Tom Duffin, Odhran Doherty (1-6, 3f), Rory O’Kane, Eoghan McErlain, Tom Convery, Conor Burns (0-1), Frank McAleese, James McVeigh, Conor McKeever

Subs: Oisin Convery for F McAleese, Frank McAleese for R O’Kane,