Four Masters land third consecutive Ulster Minor final berth with win over Fr Rock's

Theo Colhoun’s 59th minute goal put the seal on Four Masters third semi-final win in-a-row in the Ulster Minor Tournament as they saw off Cookstown Fr Rock’s 1-12 0-8 in this afternoon’s clash at the Shaw’s Road.  

This win sees the Donegal Town side through to another Ulster minor title where they will play Magherafelt on New Year’s Day. 

The holders were fastest from the traps with Oisin Doherty swinging over from an acute angle and Thomas Lenehan intercepting Kevin Muldoon's pass and popping it over.  

Lorcan McMurray replied for Cookstown when Eoin Long's mark looked to be tailing wide until he gathered, and despite his initial effort coming off the large post, McMurray converted at the second time of asking and would tie up the scores two minutes later.  

A foul on Jack McElhone allowed Eoin Long to nudge Fr Rock’s ahead for the first time, though Conor McCahill produced an outstanding score, and a converted Oisin Doherty free had the champions back in the ascendancy.  

McCahill doubled his account for the half with another fine attempt that sailed over, but Four Masters would need to settle for 10 minutes with a man light when Kevin Muldoon was black carded for a pull-down in the middle of the field.  

The numerical advantage didn't hinder his team, and by the time Muldoon returned to proceedings his side were an extra point ahead thanks to Callum McCrea's effort.  

McCrea closed out the half with another score to ensure the holders were primed for their third final appearance on the spin, leading 0-7 to 0-3 at the midway point.  

Fr Rock’s started the second period on the front foot with four of the first five scores to reduce the deficit to the bare minimum

Eoin Long converted a free and Karol Wawrynkiewicz shot over between a McCahill point for Four Masters.  

A close-range Lorcan McMurray free was followed minutes later by a fine Michael Lennon point to make it 0-8 to 0-7.  

Four Masters steadied things again thanks to a converted mark from Thomas Lenehan in his last act before departing and Tomas Carr clipped over an angled point at the near post midway through the second half.  

Scores were traded as Yasin Baba’s point was cancelled out by McCahill’s converted free following a foul on Tiarnan McBride.  

McCahill kicked his fifth of the afternoon to stretch his side’s lead back to four and the insurance score arrived a minute from time.  

Kevin Muldoon saw his shot parried by Seán Óg Quinn, but Theo Colhoun saw his follow-up blocked before poking to the net at the second time of asking to ensure his side's place in the New Year’s Day decider.  

Things went from bad to worse for Fr Rock’s when substitute Charlie Hawker was dismissed for an off the ball incident in added time. It would make little difference to the outcome however as Four Masters deservedly advanced to Wednesday’s final against Magherafelt.  

Four Masters scorers: C McCahill 0-5, 0-1f; T Colhoun 1-0; T Lenehan and O Doherty 0-2 1f each; C McCrea 0-2; Tomas Carr 0-1. 
Fr Rock’s scorers: L McMurray 0-3, 1f; E Long 0-2, 2fs; K Wawrynkiewicz, M Lennon and Y Baba 0-1 each 

Four Masters: L McCaughan; T Lenehan, D McGinty, E O'Neill; C Gavigan, C McCrea, A Quinn; Tomas Carr, T Colhoun; P McGonagle, Turlough Carr, K Muldoon; C McCahill, T McBride, O Doherty. Subs: D Griffin for T Lenehan (41), A McHugh for C Gavigan (53), T McGovern for P McGonagle (60+2).

Fr Rock's: S Og Quinn; S Corrigan, D McHugh, S McElkearney; C Mulligan, K Wawrynkiewicz, M Lennon; L Neeson, Y Baba; J McElhone, L McMurray, C Sheehy; S Devlin, E Long, C Ward. Subs: C Hawker for C Ward (29), C Ward for C McElkearney (59) 

Referee: Colm McDonald (Naomh Gall)