Ladies County Minor Finals

With the County under 16 and minor squads finished with the Ulster campaigns, the focus for several players involved will be on the four minor county finals over the weekend. There will be some interesting ties down for decision and a repeat of last year’s grade one final as St Macartans aim to retain the title against Errigal Ciaran.
The finals begin at Ardboe on Saturday evening with a classic East Tyrone derby in grade two. There will be nothing between Coalisland and Clonoe and a bumper crowd can be expected as friends, neighbours and relations go toe to toe for the title. The Fianna have impressed, they battled back to beat Omagh in the quarter final before thumping Dromore in the last four, the O’Rahilly’s also built a head of steam too as they eased to a big win over a fancied Aodh Ruadh to book their place in the final. It throws in at 5pm
There’s a familiar look to the grade one final as Macartan’s face Errigal , a repeat of last year’s final which ended 2-14 to 3-7 in favour of Macartan’s, no need then for a team talk from Neilly McAleer or Tiffy Quinn in the Errigal changing room at Aghaloo on Sunday.
Another bumper crowd expected with several teammates from St Ciarans Ballygawley once again crossing swords in what could well be another Tyrone classic final. Both St Macs and Errigal saw off Mna Na Deirge and Agyharan respectively in last four ties, the St Davogs made life difficult for Errigal but their quality was evident all over the park and they came through. That quality may well be enough to secure the title for them but the holders will certainly have something to say about that. A 7pm throw in at Aghaloo.
Kildress will play host to a Grade 3 and 4 double bill on Sunday evening with two decent finals , in the grade 4 final Rock who edged out Clan Na nGael in the semi-final will face the challenge of neighbours Pomeroy, the Plunkett’s girls had to battle through against a good Beragh outfit to reach the final which throws in at 6pm. The perfect warm up for the grade 3 final which is an all West Tyrone affair with a resurgent Badoney facing Drumragh Sarsfields.
Drumragh had four points to spare over Eoghain Rua in the semi-final but showed great character to get over the line to set up that clash with the Gortin side who held off Edendork to seal a two point win. There will be little between the sides, many of the players involved will have gained senior experience this term too, Sunday’s final starts at 7-30 to wrap up a bumper weekend of club and inter county football.